Studio B Art Gallery, 39 E. Philadelphia Ave. in Boyertown, PA, announces the opening of an art exhibit entitled “In Service” on June 26, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. featuring artwork from dozens of local artists/ The exhibit is free and open to the public and will run through, August 23, 2026.

Funded by a grant award provided by the Marlene L. Driscoll Fund of Berks County Community Foundation, Studio B Art Gallery has been engaging members of the community over the past few months in efforts to collect examples of “service” to remind us how important we are to one another, to heal perhaps some of the divisiveness we’re witnessing in our communities, to inspire us all to commit more acts “of kindness and of love,” and to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the United States through a recognition of service personnel.

Our “service” to one another comes in many forms, and everyone has stories of times when someone offered to help them or when they provided some kind of service to another. These examples of service will be “on display” in various ways throughout the summer at Studio B and other locations.

Art Exhibit: “In Service”
The summer “In Service” project begins with the art exhibit opening and prize award ceremony. Artists were encouraged to interpret the theme in their unique styles and mediums. The exhibit is curated by artist Bob Hakun, Studio B’s gallery director. Juror for prizes in the exhibit is artist Robert Louis Williams. Bob is known locally for painting several murals in Boyertown and creating a handful of Bear Fever bears. Visit Bob’s website to learn more about him and his work. www.robertlouiswilliams.com.

Notes of Thanks
Studio B’s art exhibit will include a display of notes of thanks from members of the community and from students of Boyertown High School who were invited to share their thanks for meaningful assistance provided by their friends and family members, teachers, aides, and others. Members of the community are encouraged to add a card to the display expressing their thanks throughout the summer. Several versions of the thank you cards to be added to the display are available at Studio B.

Bells of Boyertown
The “In Service” exhibit will include a mural by the exhibit’s juror Robert Louis Williams as the studio’s entry into the “Bells of Boyertown” activity of Freedom Fest presented by the Boyertown Area Historical Society.

Publication of Poetry and Prose & Writers’ Reading and Reception
Area writers who submitted examples of poetry and prose in which they addressed the theme of “Service” will find their poems or prose submissions published in the digital news site The Boyertown Area Expression throughout the summer. Readers can find them on boyertownareaexpression.town.news.

A Reading & Reception for Writers will be held at Studio B on June 28, 2026, from 1-3. Members of the community are invited to the reception to meet the writers and learn more about them and their work.

Storywalk®
The Boyertown Community Library will feature a story at the Boyertown Community Park during August to highlight “service.” Sairra Cloen, assistant supervisor, shares that this year’s story is Be Kind by Pat Zielow Miller.

HERstories
During Building a Better Boyertown’s “HERstory” event, Amy Muzopappa video recorded over a dozen attendees who shared examples of service. The stories ranged from personal acts of kindness to “thank you’s” for opportunities the attendees were able to provide through their careers. The video will be made available on YouTube. Visit studiobbb.org or Studio B Art Gallery on Facebook to find the link. Those who shared include Amy Siwert, Sara Moyer, Sharon Hartline, Kailey Reinboth, Ellen Martignetti, Diane Lauer, Dana Krananoff, Cecelia Flint, Sharon McMinn, Beth Hussar, Michelle Zobel, Rebecca Wise, and Jo Ortiz Yorgey.
“B Inspired” Podcast
Members of the community are invited to share their stories of service—how they have served others or to offer “thank you’s” to others who have served them on an episode of  Jane Stahl’s “B Inspired” podcast. Contact Jane to set up a day and time to share your story: janeEstahl@comcast.net. Recordings will be available on a variety of podcast platforms.

The Boyertown Area Expression Digital News Site
Individuals, businesses, and non-profits will be featured in articles for The Boyertown Area Expression digital news site throughout the summer as examples of the types of service our unique businesses offer to address the needs of members of our community.

Beauticians, funeral directors, real estate and insurance agents, home and childcare workers, dog walkers, for example, are service-oriented businesses that are critical to our mental and emotional health. Members of the community are invited to share their experiences these types of businesses have offered.

Military Service: The General Carl Spaatz USAAF Museum
In considering “service,” one often thinks of the service of our military men and women.

* To highlight military service, Studio B is offering 20 free passes to visit the General Carl Spaatz USAAF Museum throughout July and August 2026. Passes are available at Studio B (two passes per individual) during the studio’s summertime opening hours Thursdays through Sundays 12-4 p.m. (Reservations for visits to the museum for 4+ people are requested.)           

* Veterans of the military and those connected to the Museum were interviewed by long-time Boyertown resident Kim Frain and video recorded by Boyertown Senior High School senior Kailey Reinboth. Vietnam Veteran Clyde Mock and the museum’s founder Keith Seiwell shared their military experiences. The museum’s director and volunteer Chris Boswell and Civil War re-enactor  offered their reflections about military service. The video will be made available on YouTube. After June 26, 2026, visit www.studiobbb.org or Studio B Art Gallery on Facebook to find the link

* A belated birthday tea party for General Carl Spaatz is planned for July 28, 2026, from 1-3 p.m. at the Museum. (The General’s birthday anniversary occurs on June 28.) Light refreshments and entertainment are planned. Video projects created for the “In Service” project will be shown. Members of the community are invited to attend. RSVP’s are requested.

Boyertown Senior High NJROTC Students
Boyertown High School’s NJROTC students were interviewed and video recorded by Boyertown Senior High School student Eva Montanye. Eva queried the students about their decision to enter the program; how they hoped to serve; what they hope to offer the country, their community, their friends and families through their service. Eva was assisted in the editing process by fellow student Alex Rose. The video can be viewed https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t2RisTyTJ7aH_R3figLAw9Rq-jwkw8rk/view?usp=drive_link

“What Happened to YOU?” Writing Workshops Inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Writers and teachers Sandra Williams and Jane Stahl will facilitate a three-part series of writing workshops to highlight the “service” literature offers. Using Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet and the examples of how Hamlet manages his existential crisis offer guides to handling perceptions, feelings, and behavior as crises occur in our own lives. Attendees will share life experiences and writing.

Community Garden
Building a Better Boyertown’s Community Garden, developed as a celebration of the country’s 250^th anniversary, will be highlighted throughout the summer in articles for The Boyertown Area Expression. “B Inspired” podcast episodes are planned to showcase the individuals who inspired the garden and the long history of community gardens begun in wartime and today as community service opportunities that offer a way to address food scarcity in our community.

Art Activities
Studio B’s teachers and volunteers will offer art and writing activities throughout the summer to highlight service. Deb Zaharchuk will offer an art activity on July 31, Sunny Finley offers activities for students in grades 1 through 6 during Second Saturdays 9:30-10:40 throughout the summer; Sara Bates welcomes young writers each Wednesday from 12-2 p.m beginning June 17, 2026, to have fun while writing and meeting fellow writers. Visit www.studiobbb.org for more information.

To Be Determined
As in other of Studio B’s summer projects, individuals, organizations, non-profits, and businesses will undoubtedly find ways to participate in the celebration of the kinds of service we provide one another. Visit Studio B in person during summertime open hours Thursdays through Sundays 12-4, www.studiobbb.org, Studio B on Facebook, or sign up for the studio’s newsletter to learn of these upcoming projects and activities.

View the full list on our Summer 2026 Activities page

On June 6,  during Berks Mont Business Association’s Philadelphia Avenue Street fair, Studio B is running a contest asking folks to vote for their favorite piece of “Twisted” art. The art–submitted especially for this event–will be on display inside the studio where voting and a silent auction will take place. While there, folks can enjoy the sculptures and fiber art of 16 local artists and check on the progress of “Ruby Roadtrip, ” Camping World’s Bear Fever bear being created by artist Bob Hakun.

On June 12, during Adriene Zapien’s Old Soul Stroll,  handfuls of “new souls” will welcome “strollers” to the studio to introduce themselves. For example, Diane O’Sullivan will have answers to any questions about the Bear Fever project. Her booklet–Bear Fever: It’s Catching, Chapter One, released August 2025, will be available for purchase.  While there, other members and workshop hosts will share information or examples about their upcoming workshops.

Sunny Finley hosts Second Saturday–a time for creating nature art with 1st–6th graders from 9:30- 10:40 a.m. Link for more info Register sunnyfinley62@gmail.com $30/pp

On June 17, Sara Bates begins “Open Pages” from 12-2 p.m in the first of five Wednesday workshops for young writers. Sara is hoping that Studio B becomes the creative writing space for students, grades 6-12.

On June 19, from 5:30-7:30, Deb Zaharchuk hosts her third “Art & Apps” Open Craft Night followed by dinner at Other Farm. Deb welcomes participants to bring their own craft project to work on or participate in a project with her and enjoy appetizers and one another’s company before dinner at Other Farm with a 20% off coupon. Check out Deb’s website to register for the workshops.

On Saturday,  June 20, from 6-7:30 p.m, Sunny Finley is hosting time to play with clay in a textured tile workshop.

On June 26, from 5-7 p.m., “In Service,” the studio’s summer project, begins with an art exhibit opening featuring the work of area artists in all styles and mediums. The exhibit opening kicks off an array of projects throughout the summer offered by businesses, organizations, and individuals showcasing the many stories of times when someone helped us or when we provided some kind of  service to another.

On June 27, Deb Zaharchuk offers “Junk Journals 2.” Bring your own to work on or begin one at the workshop. Check out Deb’s website to register for the workshops

On June 28, a writers are invited to a Writers’ Reception to share the poetry and prose they created for the “In Service” project to be featured in The Boyertown Area Expression digital news site.

Our audience in 2024 shared their work and their current projects with other writers and members of the community. 

On June 28, a writers are invited to a Writers’ Reception to share the poetry and prose they created for the “In Service” project to be featured in The Boyertown Area Expression digital news site.

Pictured: Writers’ reception and reading 2024

On June 6, during Berks Mont Business Association’s Philadelphia Avenue Street fair, Studio B is running a contest asking folks to vote for their favorite piece of “Twisted” art. The art–submitted especially for this event–will be on display inside the studio where voting and a silent auction will take place. While there, folks can enjoy the sculptures and fiber art of 16 local artists and check on the progress of “Ruby Roadtrip, ” Camping World’s Bear Fever bear being created by artist Bob Hakun.

Bob missed the tactile interaction of creating art with his hands, and, after spending his days at the computer desk using only the keyboard and mouse as his artistic tools, he started making heavy, rusty art assemblages from found objects in the evenings.

He has become known for his multi-themed assemblages in rust. Bob is a 1976 Graduate of Kutztown University with a BFA in painting.

Participating artists are Michael Biddison, Tom Cook, Caren Cornman, Allan Cornman, Rhonda Counts, Ellen Finks, Sunny Finley, Bob Hakun, Kachina Leigh, Sharon McGinley, Anne Mitchell Reid, Kathryn Morgan, Martha Ressler, Max Rhoads, Bob Wood, and Linda B. Wood.

3-D art and fiber art are both rich, hands-on creative worlds. 3-D art refers to artwork that exists in physical space. It is artwork—sculptures in clay, stone, and metal including assemblage, ceramics, and pottery–that you can walk around and view from multiple angles. Blending craft and fine art, fiber art focuses on materials like fabric, yarn, thread, and textiles, created by weaving, knitting and crochet, embroidery, quilting, and macrame. Fiber art becomes 3-D art when it moves beyond flat surfaces.

Awards for LAND our first 2026 Juried Exhibition
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1st Place Award
Kristen T. Woodward for the encaustic piece, “In the Soil”
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2nd Place
Lindsay M. Wallace “Land Wander, Primal Green”, an oil painting
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3rd Place
Lynn Millar for the piece “Edge of Fall II”, a watercolor painting
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4th Place
Walter Hug for the photograph, “Somber Siblings”
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5th Place
Mary Chisak for the piece “Spring Garden”, an acrylic and pastel painting
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6th Place
Linda B. Wood for the assemblage, “Donaldland”
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7th Place
Lori McFerran for “Painted Desert I”, an oil painting
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8th Place
Jim Meehan for the piece “Gravity”, Pencil on paper
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The Show was juried by Charles Farrell and Curated by Susan Biebuyck

Charles Farrell, professional architect with an MFA in painting, is the juror for the exhibit. He once worked as a Resident Affiliate Artist at the Tryon Center for Visual Arts and was represented by the Hodges Taylor Gallery of Charlotte, NC. Farrell has exhibited at the Freyberger Gallery, Penn State Berks, Goggleworks Center for the Arts, Studio B Fine Art Gallery, the Art of the State in Harrisburg, and the North Carolina Museum of Art. He has won numerous awards including First Prize for the Art of Jazz, Berks Arts Council Juried Exhibition, the Grand Prize for Goggleworks 11th National Juried Exhibition where he was awarded a solo exhibition. For 15 years, he has been writing music and performs with his wife Amy Forsyth at local venues.

“Everybody has stories of times when someone offered to help them or when we provided some kind of service to another,” notes Jane Stahl, Studio B’s Director of Community Relations. “Studio B’s theme for the summer, titled ‘In Service,’ will provide opportunities to respond to the generosity we experience from our friends and neighbors, acknowledge a spirit of compassion and sacrifice within our community, and perhaps applaud those who have provided service in small or grand ways.

“It is my hope that the project will highlight the many kindnesses we offer to each other, demonstrating how important we are to one another and perhaps healing some of the divisiveness that exists in the world today. Sharing our stories will be uplifting and help achieve our community’s mission to ‘build a better Boyertown,” Stahl continued.

“Sometimes the service is widely known and provided to others. Those in the military, fire fighters, police, doctors, nurses, teachers, or EMT’s are examples of those whose lives are dedicated to serving others.

“Yet sometimes service comes as a small gesture—one that would seem insignificant or invisible or forgotten–but one that made a ‘world of difference’ at the time. I am always inspired witnessing and experiencing what William Wordsworth describes in his poem known as ‘Tintern Abbey’ as “little, nameless, unremembered acts/Of kindness and of love.” Wordsworth finds that these acts inspire a “blessed mood…/In which the heavy and the weary weight/Of all this unintelligible world,/Is lightened.”

“‘In Service’ will shine a light on these countless acts and inspire us all to celebrate one another’s loving acts and offer more of them,” Stahl concludes.

The project will include a fine art exhibit; publication of poetry, prose, and art responding to the theme on the digital news site The Boyertown Area Expression; and a host of community activities beginning June 26. The project concludes August 23, 2026.

The fine art exhibit opening will be held June 26, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. at Studio B Art Gallery, 39A E Philadelphia Avenue, Boyertown, PA. (In-take of art will take place June 23, 2026.)

Poetry and prose submissions will be shared on the digital news site The Boyertown Area Expression (boyertownareaexpression.town.news) throughout the summer of 2026 and during a writer’s reception and reading on June 28, 2026.

(Writers and artists interested in having their work published should submit 1-2 pieces of prose, poetry or art to janeEstahl@comcast.net by May 1, 2026. Writers and artists are asked to include a 2-3 sentence bio along with their submissions.)

Plans include invitations to families to share stories of family members who served in the military during ticketed tours of the General Spaatz Museum; StoryWalks®, created by the Boyertown Area Community Library, featuring service as a theme. Community members will be invited to share selfies with those whose service made a difference in their lives. Selfies will be showcased in a loop on a TV screen in Studio B’s window throughout the summer.

“Plus, we’ll try to capture community members on the street or at events to invite them to share their stories on video reels with members of Studio B and Building a Better Boyertown throughout spring and early summer. The reels will appear on Studio B’s website or Facebook page,” Stahl added. “So, we hope that our community members will begin thinking of those moments of service and be willing to share their stories with us.”

“I’m also hoping that other individuals, organizations, non-profits, and businesses will find ways to participate in our celebration of the service we provide one another; I’m always amazed at the creativity our community demonstrates in these kinds of challenges.”

Activities under consideration include art lessons to create illustrations, portraits, or promotional material featuring types of service offered by community members including children and adults, veterans, business owners, social and civic group members; organizing a StoryTime at the Spaatz Museum to feature benefits of serving others; hosting a book discussion group featuring service to others; publishing testimonials about businesses and individuals who offer services that nurture and assist including funeral directors, beauty salons, first responders, home and childcare workers, for example.

Inviting students and staff of Boyertown Area School District to participate in interviews for articles, podcast episodes and create their own “productions” will broaden understanding and appreciation of the many methods and examples of service generated throughout the greater learning community and inspire others.

“If you are interested in helping to facilitate any activities that highlight the theme or if you’d like to participate as a guest on a ‘B Inspired” podcast episode or an article in The Boyertown Area Expression digital news site, please contact me: janeEstahl@comcast.net.

“These types of art activities, literary readings, and book discussions introduce artists and writers to the community and to one another. Their unique ideas and perspectives help us all to learn about others, try on different ways to look at the world, and provide community-building opportunities while enhancing cultural literacy.

“Discussions that become “B Inspired” podcast episodes and feature articles created for the digital newsletter The Boyertown Area Expression become part of the community’s history and available for sharing which broadens the community’s understanding and appreciation of their shared values and traditions, habits, preferences, styles, as well as the impact of others’ experiences on their own lives,” Stahl concluded.

Studio B
Studio B is a fine art gallery that offers support, promotional opportunities, and creative activities to artists, writers, community members, students, school personnel, businesses, and organizations. In hosting events and activities in art, writing, and history and in participating in cultural, educational, and business activities and events hosted by other organizations, the studio seeks to assist in building a stronger, more unified community.

Providing self-discovery and community-building opportunities that allow participation in the visual and literary arts, exploration in the history of the area, and interaction with other members of the community will enhance the quality of life and the education among the members of the community as well as promote business growth.

Art activities, literary readings, and book discussions introduce artists and writers to the community and to one another. Bringing individual ideas to share with others and to learn about others and their perspectives provides community-building opportunities and enhances cultural literacy. Discussions that become “B Inspired” podcast episodes and feature articles created for the digital newsletter The Boyertown Area Expression become part of the community’s history and available for sharing which broadens the community’s understanding and appreciation of their shared values and traditions, habits, preferences, styles, as well as the impact of others’ experiences on their own lives.

Berks County Community Foundation
Berks County Community Foundation has been an important partner throughout Studio B Art Gallery’s 17-year history. Including other individuals, non-profits, businesses, and organizations within the community to involve as many families and individuals as possible has been integral to the annual projects and matches the studio’s mission of seeking to be a dynamic part of Boyertown community, a “go to” destination for learning, fun and friendship.

The mission of Berks County Community Foundation is to promote philanthropy and improve the quality of life for the residents of Berks County. Since 1994, our work has been made possible by generous donations from people and donors who created funds to give back in perpetuity. These funds have provided millions of dollars in scholarships and grants to support our community. www.facebook.com/berkscountycommunityfoundation/

Marlene L. Driscoll
Marlene L. Driscoll, who lived in Boyertown for 65 years and died at the age of 85 in November 2019, left almost $1.5 million dollars to the Berks County Community Foundation to establish a fund in her name. Ms. Driscoll’s decision was made to support projects that benefit the Boyertown area. Born in Glen Burnie, Maryland, Ms. Driscoll moved to Boyertown when she married barber Bob Driscoll; she held jobs at the National Penn Bank, the Limerick Power Plant, and Gross Equipment Company. “I love the connection, knowing that Ms. Driscoll worked for my uncle Bill Gross,” notes Jane Stahl, Studio B’s Director of Community Relations. Ms. Driscoll was well-known in the area for her affiliation with Faith Chapter #444 Order of the Eastern Star and a past officer in Order of the Amaranth #113 of Pottstown. “[Her] legacy will help to support organizations and initiatives that brighten the lives of local residents,” said Heidi Williamson, former senior vice president for programs and initiatives with the Berks County Community Foundation. “Grants from the endowment she created will support important causes in the Boyertown area now and long into the future. She’s truly left an everlasting gift to her community.”