Arts & Antiques
Art & Antiques
Robert Beck—Here & Now
Robert Beck’s paintings are immediate, because they are encounters made about us through his surrogacy and are always, like the name of his solo show at Morpeth Contemporary—Here & Now
By Bob Waite
Robert Beck has come a long way since his first show at the Riverside Theatre during the ’90s. That show was promoted by a grueling process of looking up addresses in a phone book, putting together invitations that included a folder, resume, background information and an invitation. Each envelope was hand-addressed, and he mailed 100 of them. The show’s opening only drew a handful of people because the date was the same day as the Eagle/Giants game. He says, “Now, I sometimes check when I schedule.”
Now Robert can say, “I was just delighting to myself that I have everything I need. I've gotten to that point as an artist where I'm not held up by the things that would get in my way when I was first starting out. Because then I didn't have a studio. And now I have accumulated those trappings of my career that enabled me to just go from thing to thing to thing.”
This nationally known Bucks County artist who paints Bucks
County, Maine and New York, left his corporate job and changed the whole direction of his life. He enrolled at the Pennsylvania Academy of Art. “In the 90s, right? I was forty, forty-one or something like that. Yeah, that was delicious. Because I was older and I knew what I was going after. It was a sacrifice to go there. It wasn't my parents' sacrifice. It was my sacrifice to go there.”
Besides painting, Robert is also a writer. He writes a monthly column for Icon Magazine and a bi-monthly column for the West Side Rag in Manhattan. He says, “And because I like to write, I write things that I just never get published. I write a lot of letters. I'm a letter writer.”
Robert, like the name of his upcoming show at the Morpeth Contemporary gallery, lives in the here and now. He admits, “I am not always sure of what day of the week it is.” Explaining what Robert views as an almost perfect life for someone who loves to paint and write, he says, “I'm writing with my cup of coffee and
I'm writing with my drink at night. And I'm painting in the middle. I'm the painter in the middle.”
Robert feels a sense of immediacy in his life. He says, “The party doesn’t go on forever.” At age 74, not in a frantic sense, he realizes that what he does now “has to count.” There is a kind of earnestness in his art.
Classification according to various schools of art can elude even the most erudite viewer of Robert’s art. He is a representational painter, but not a Pennsylvania Impressionist. “Some people think Impressionist is the manner of the brush stroke. There are these globby strokes. When you get back, they come together. Impressionism is when an artist is trying to capture that moment of recognition or a moment of encounter. In that respect, yes, I'm after the encounter. I'm after that thing that made me stop and look and say, ‘Hey, look at that.’ If I'm categorized, most people would place me in an era of art that's called the Ashcan School.”
would have the tenements. Out back of the tenements were the trash cans that had the ashes in them.”
Placing this particular school of art in America’s big picture, he says, “You would equate that in American history with jazz, being an American art form. An American art form, a coming of age for not just the arts, but it's what America is coming of age and contributing as well.”
The Ashcan School, which began in New York with artists that started to use ordinary people and places as subjects. Robert says, “As typical, the critics stuck their nose up. One of them referred to the paintings as the ‘Ashcan School’ because they
Further explaining his connection to the Ashcan School Robert says, “It's the artists painting us. That's what I do. I'm the surrogate for us. I don't go out and say, I think you'd like this. All of these are things that occur to me, stop me. I
Art & Antiques
ROBERT BECK
• HERE AND NOW September 14 - October 6
Receptions
Friday, September 13, 5:30-7:30 Saturday, September 14, 1:00-4:00
wonder something like, how would you paint that? How would you get that across? How would you make that statement? I call it naming it. How would you give that thing a name so that someone else would get it?”
Robert wants his paintings to have both a universal meaning and he wants it to be personal. He talks about his painting of the inside of a barn that is hanging in his studio. “Everybody's been in that barn. Even if you haven't, you know what it is. And the fact that I haven't used the classic Pennsylvania Dutch barn sort of wakes you up a little when you come in because it's new. It isn't typical. You come in and you look at it and you know exactly where you are. You can feel the space. You can smell the dirt floor–the little light coming in. It's dark. While I was painting that, one of the farm workers came in. He turned the lights on in the barn because he figured it would help me. And I said, no, you have to turn them back off again. He thought I
was crazy to be painting in the dark. But that's what it feels like when you walk in there. And it feels more personal to encounter that place like that. You just walked in the door. You haven't even turned on the lights yet. That smell. The whole encounter.”
Robert uses primarily an earthtone palette. He says that his palette is earth color on the left side with prismatic warm and cool red and blue at the top. “I work out of that left side, that earth palette, basically a Zorn palette or limited palette, whatever you want to call it. I'll work out of three or four colors, dirt colors, to do the majority of the entire painting. But towards the end, when I've set that table, then I can move over to the right side of the palette and introduce that lemon yellow to create the sunlight, and it'll have a contrast. Everything else is dirt, that's the prismatic color, that's the bright. I don't do the dark darks, I don't do the light lights. I do the middle zone, and I make sure that
it's kind of earthy, kind of gray. And when I'm done, anything I do to the bottom and the top is much more accentuated because it's against this gray middle background.”
Robert’s paintings bring you right into his experience. A painting of a person standing on a beach in front of the ocean is a powerful and inspiring image. Dorian, Robert’s wife, is standing with her back turned to the viewer and facing the ocean. “You can hear that thunderous crunch of the wave. You know what it's like to stand there. It's just, it's awesome.”
Roberts thinks and asks, “How do you paint awesome?” He answers himself saying, “I think you need the person, her gesture, that motionless transfixion focused on the waves, tells you a lot about the waves. Like I can see the light coming through the top of the crest there on the other side. They do that.”
Robert Beck encounters his subjects and catches something in the here and now that is immediate and it speaks to us because it is us. This is the theme of his exhibition at the Morpeth Contemporary Gallery. It is his theme. In the process of pursuing his art, he has received 29 significant painting awards, was a finalist for the Pew Fellowship in 2000, and in 2014 was awarded the Philadelphia Sketch Club Medal for Excellence and Contribution to the Arts by the oldest artists’ club in America. He was the Honored Artist at the 2017 Phillips Mill Exhibition and the New Hope Arts Center Legacy Artist in 2018. In 2020 he was elected a Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists.
Here And Now is an exclusive solo exhibition featuring the latest paintings by Robert Beck. This event marks Beck's first solo exhibition since his acclaimed retrospective at the Michener Art Museum and will run from September 14 to October 6, 2024 at Morpeth Contemporary, located at 43 West Broad Street, Hopewell, NJ. To contact the Morpeth Contemporary gallery, call 609-3339393. For more information, visit www.morpethcontemporary.com.
First Light, oil on panel, 18" x 24"
VRed Tulip
isit Red Tulip Crafts to experience the best in handcrafted fine craft being made in the Eastern PA and Central NJ regions while meeting the artists who made them. This artists’ cooperative is the hidden gem of the New Hope crafts community, featuring a range of disciplines, such as jewelry, pottery, glass, fiber, pysanky, carved gourds, photography, painting and wood.
We're staffed entirely by our artist members, so you can rely on our deep understanding of the crafts we represent. We love to talk about our art and will eagerly answer questions you may have about techniques, materials, and processes. You’ll always find beautiful, unique, and creative pieces that will be treasured for generations—ideal for gifting or adding to your own collection. We welcome you to visit us in person or take a look at our website. Red Tulip is located at 19C West Bridge St, New Hope, PA. For more information, call 267454-0496 or visit RedTulipCrafts.com.
Art & Antiques
Lachman Gallery
Celebrating 70 Years of Fine Art
Al Lachman is celebrating his 70th year as a professional artist with his annual show at the Lachman Gallery. Ever since he sold his first painting at age 17, Al Lachman has lived and breathed his art. During his career as a fine artist, he has drawn and painted thousands of original works. He’s a master at his craft, yet technical expertise plays a minor role in creating his vibrant expressionist work. Intuition plus the willingness to take risks are what keep his work fresh and alive.
Originally from New York City, Lachman has lived and worked in the New Hope area for the last 25 years and continues to create one-of-a-kind paintings in various mediums (oil, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, etc.) often within the same painting.
His expressionist style hovers between the real and the abstract with sub-
Lachman Gallery will bring the paintings of your choice to view in your home. Best of all, there is no obligation for this service
ject matter ranging from figurative to landscape and still life. In much of his work he simplifies forms and liberates color in a way that sets him apart. The negative space surrounding objects takes on equal importance, but the subjects themselves serve merely as a vehicle to get to the other side. “I let my subconscious take over,” he said, “and go into that zone where the soul emerges.”
A painting by Lachman will not only capture your imagination but will also become the focal point of the room in which it is hung. Each beginning of a painting is different for Lachman. He explains, “Each medium has its own personality … things it can do and things it cannot. So when I put them together in the same painting, I can achieve something truly unique. I am a morning painter. I get up and I go to work. I then say to myself … how can I paint this differently than I have ever painted it before? I challenge myself with the possibility of failure so that I can find new edges within myself … but I don’t allow it to fail. I stay with it, as long as it takes, until the magic is there.”
So mark your calendar and be sure you visit this show from November 9–December 22, 2024. The Lachman Gallery is located at Peddler's Village (Shop #44), Street Road, or Routes 202 & 263, Lahaska, PA. For more information, call 215794-5500 or visit www.allachman.com.
Country Places, The Hendershot Legacy
This Autumn, Patricia Hutton Galleries will present Country Places, The Hendershot Legacy. Ray Hendershot, AWS, NWS (1931–2019) & Bradley Hendershot (born 1958).
Bradley Hendershot is a painter of rural Pennsylvania and coastal Maine, regions that he knows well and that have special
meaning for him: “My Pennsylvania paintings depict the rural community and a way of life that is quickly fading into the past.” Brad, who works in watercolor which he finds challenging and rewarding, was inspired by his father, artist Ray Hendershot. Ray, a signature member of the American Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society, exhibited widely over a 65 year career. “My world is a simple life in a simpler time, far removed from the difficulties and complications of today. It speaks of values and dedication to a life of honest, wholesome living.” Mr. Hendershot was a painter of textures. Although he selected the barns, farmhouses, wagons and fence rows, his true subjects were their surfaces. He used a limited palette of muted earth tones and gradually built his textures in alternating
C A S C A D E
JENNIFER HANSEN ROLLI THROUGH OCT 13 2O24 SEPT 14
layers of wash and dry brush, creating surface depth that enriches the painting. Ray said of his work, “In painting, my goal is to communicate to the viewer my emotional response to the subject.”
Both Ray and Bradley have won multiple national and regional awards for their finely detailed, evocative depictions of country landscape. Some paintings record historical houses and locations and others were drawn from the mind’s eye, combining elements that the artist found aesthetically pleasing. Gallery owner Patricia Hutton says, “We will be reminded of how lucky we are to live surrounded by peaceful countryside.” The show will open with a celebratory reception on Saturday, October 12 from 5 - 8 p.m. and be on exhibit until November 23. The gallery is located at 47 West State Street in Doylestown’s historical district. For more information, call 215-348-1728 or visit the website www.PatriciaHuttonGalleries.com.
OCTOBE
Fall Invitational C R 19 & 20 raft Show
All-Ages Fun & Entertainment
• Hands-on art experiences
• Beer garden
• Great food
• Kids’ activities
• Capoiera Demonstrations
• Sculpture garde
• Artist demos • Cobb oven and bench experien
• Wood Kiln Firin and Events!
• Door Prize!
Ceramics
Fine art
Fiber
Furniture
Glass
Leather
Metal
Photograph
Sculpture
Wood n ce gs Sponsored in part by y
Jewelry
Distinguished Jurors Represent Each Medium
T 10 STAABLEMILLTRAIL RICHBORO, PA • 267-218-0290
T TyylerParkArts.org
Annual Small Works Show
It is that time again, for our Annual Small Works Show running November 3 through December 28. It is a good opportunity if you are looking for a special new piece of art by a local artist for yourself or as a gift. The opening reception is Nov. 3 from 1p.m. – 4p.m. Also, if you need framing for the holidays, it is best to bring it in asap. Canal Frame-Crafts Gallery at 1093 General Greene Rd.; Washington Crossing, PA 18977, www.CanalFrame.com , 215-493-3660.
“Long Valley Winter” by Joe Kazimierczyk; Oil on Canvas; 7 x 11. Representative of the artwork in Small Works 2024
Art & Antiques
CCurated Collections
urated Collections, a fine home furnishings and decor consignment shop, recently opened along Rt. 202 in New Hope, PA. The shop is owned and run by mother-daughter duo, Michelle and Ariel Corace. Michelle, a native New Hope resident, also owns Bucks County Vintage, a vintage and antique shop located in the same area. She noticed the need for a home furnishings consignment shop after receiving numerous inquiries to consign pieces at Bucks County Vintage. After discussing the opportunity with her daughter, Curated Collections began.
Curated Collections opened their doors in June and are quickly becoming a staple in the community. Located in the red barn at The Courtyard at Lahaska along Rt. 202 and directly across from Peddler’s Village main entrance, Curated Collections offers a showroom filled with beautiful pieces and has something for everyone.
Whether you’re looking for modern, vintage, or antique, they have it all. As their name states, they curate their selection of home furnishings and decor to provide only the finest quality pre-owned pieces for your home. They are always welcoming new consignments and have a constantly changing inventory. If you are downsizing, changing your style, or are in search of quality pieces at affordable prices, you should consider Curated Collections.
Curated Collections’ showroom located at 5791 Lower York Road, New Hope, PA. Their hours are Mon: 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Tues: Closed, Wed–Sat: 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Sun: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
For more information about the consignment process, call 215-798-6970 or visit www.curatedcollectionsbc.com. You can also follow on Instagram@curatedcollectionssbc.
“Quiet Season,” watercolor
Art & Antiques
LFloral Fine Artist
aura Brady Gallery, located at The Shops at 3900, Hamilton, Blvd, Allentown, is on a mission to impart a sense of wonder for nature through art, offering a moment to pause and reflect on the beauty that surrounds us in creation. The gallery showcases the award-winning work of floral fine artist, Laura Brady. At the gallery, you will also find Laura’s working studio, as well as fine art prints and floral art inspired gifts. As an avid garden enthusiast, Laura’s process begins in her cut flower garden. Her work is inspired by the wonder of creation, and she truly desires to capture the pure essence & beauty of nature with each paint stroke creating a unique connection between the flowers she paints so the viewer can truly “Experience the Wonder” of nature. For information, visit laurabradygallery.com.
95th Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill
The iconic Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill, Bucks County’s most prestigious annual art event, celebrates its 95th Anniversary this year in the historic 18th century mill that’s been its home since 1929. Serious art collectors from across the region and beyond anticipate this show as an important opportunity to expand their collections.
Work by this year’s Honored Artist, Janine Dunn Wade of Doylestown, will be featured as well as the show’s signature image, March Afternoon by Frenchtown artist Donna Ruane Rogers. The work of over 100 additional artists will be on display including paintings, drawings, works on paper, sculpture, printmaking and multimedia pieces. Offering a wide variety of media and artistic styles, this show never disappoints.
Considered the Birthplace of Pennsylvania Impressionism, Phillips’ Mill Community Association was founded by William Lathrop and fellow artists including Daniel Garber, Edward Redfield, Fern Coppedge, John Folinsbee and others. They began the annual exhibition tradition that the PMCA continues to this day.
This year’s show runs September 21–October 27, open daily 1 p.m.–5 p.m. Phillips’ Mill Community Association is located at 2619 River Road, just north of New Hope.
All works are for sale at the Mill and online. For more information, call 215-862-0582 or visit www.phillipsmill.org.
March Afternoon by Donna Ruane Rogers, the signature image of the 95th Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill.
Peonies, Pansies and Badger by Janine Dunn Wade, Phillips’ Mill’s 2024 Honored Artist
Bucks County District Tour
Prepare to immerse yourself in the creative pulse of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with the highly anticipated inaugural Bucks Art Districts Tour. This annual spring event will run from April 25th–27th, Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is a celebration of the county's rich and diverse artistic talent. It will offer a unique, behind-thescenes look at the creative processes of local artists, making it a must-see for art enthusiasts and curious visitors alike.
This tour has been an ongoing dream of ArtWRKD Founder Ashara Shapiro. She envisions a coming together of community and creatives and bringing the conversation she has at her exhibition space in Historic Newtown out into greater Bucks County. “We have to rewrite our discussions and predisposed opinions of the importance of living a creative life and rebuild the support structures necessary to hold these creatives up as the only valid storytellers of their generation. In an advanced technological world, art will be the only true pictorial history. We have to celebrate these creatives by investing in connecting with them and learning from them …” said Ashara.
Forms: From traditional to contemporary, the tour boasts a dazzling array of artistic disciplines. Meet the Masters: Personal Connections: During the tour, you’ll have the unique opportunity to engage with artists face-to-face. Take Home a Piece of Bucks County: The tour offers a fantastic opportunity to purchase original artworks directly from the artists. Hands-On Learning: Workshops and Demos: Some artists will be offering live demonstrations and handson workshops. Building a Thriving Artistic Community: The Bucks Art Districts Tour perfectly aligns with ArtWRKD’s mission to nurture and promote emerging and seasoned artists while creating unique experiential opportunities for art enthusiasts.
The Bucks Art District Tour includes Open Studios: Where Magic Happens: The Bucks Art Districts Tour invites you into the private studios of local artists, offering an exclusive peek into their creative sanctuaries. A Feast for the Eyes: Diverse Art
THE FACTORY
ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES
The Bucks Art Districts Tour offers various participation levels, ensuring everyone can be part of this vibrant celebration. From patrons purchasing tickets to artists, art organizations and galleries. ArtWRKD community sponsorships are now open to be a part of the Guidebook and QR code maps all ticket holders will receive directing them where to eat, stay, visit. We are thrilled to announce that Bucks County Magazine is our first sponsor. This publication has been a beacon for Bucks County and we are thrilled to have them onboard.
For more information on the Bucks Art District Tour, visit www.ArtWRKD.com.
AOY Art Center
949 Mirror Lake Road Yardley, PA 215-493-1205 www.aoyarts.org
AOY Art Center offers various programs, including shows, education for adults and youth, and a popular summer art camp. With over 290 artist members, ranging from beginners to professionals, AOY provides exciting and innovative programs taught by professionals. They host juried and non-juried shows, fundraising events, and social gatherings to showcase artists' work.
Artefact Architectural Antiques
Rt. 263, The Village Barn Furlong, PA 215-794-8790 www.artefactantiques.com
The majority of our inventory is antique and includes fireplace mantels, stained and beveled glass windows, doors and entryways, interior and exterior lighting, decorative objects, furniture, and garden appointments. In the formal gardens, you will find antique and reproduction garden pieces in bronze, iron, marble, stone, terra cotta, and wood.
Bucks County Antique Dealers Association Newtown, PA www.bcadapa.org
The Bucks County Antiques Dealers are an association of professional Antique Dealers located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas.
Canal Frame-Crafts Gallery
1093 General Greene Rd.
Washington Crossing, PA 215-493-3660
www.CanalFrame.com
We are not just another frame shop, but a fullservice gallery. Featuring both originals and prints, we represent many fine local artists. We have also received awards for our custom framing.
Doylestown Gold Exchange
812 N. Easton Road
Doylestwon, PA 18902
215-345-6630
www.doylestowngoldexchange.com
Turn old and broken jewelry into cash that you can use today.We buy and sell gold and jewelry.
Factory Antiques
130 W. Main Street Silverdale, PA 215-453-1414
Exceptional selection of antiques and vintage from over 45 dealers displayed on three floors.
Fallsington Antique & Craft Shop
4 Yardley Avenue Fallsington, PA 215-295-0251
The Antique & Craft Shop provides a charming selection of collectibles and antiques appropriate to Fallsington. You’ll find candles, vintage dressers, linens, pottery, stenciled slates, primitive cupboards, antique country tables & chairs and antique lighting.
Main Street Gallery
1236 West Broad Street
Quakertown, PA
610-442-4112
www.jimlukensart.com
Bucks County Impressionist oil painter. Landscapes, wildlife and still life.
Mercer Museum
84 S. Pine Street
Doylestown, PA 215-345-0212
www.mercermuseum.org
The Mercer Museum is a six-story reinforced concrete castle designed by Henry Mercer (1856-1930) and completed in 1916. Today, it is one of Bucks County’s premier cultural attractions and a Smithsonian affiliate. The museum complex features local and national traveling exhibits, as well as a core museum collection of over 50,000 pre-Industrial tools.
Michener Art Museum
138 S. Pine Street
Doylestown, PA 215-340-9800
www.michenermuseum.org
The Doylestown-based museum has 35,400 square feet of space, with a landscaped courtyard, an outdoor sculpture garden and terrace built in the original prison yard, seminar and conference facilities, a museum shop and café, and the George Nakashima Reading Room. As a regional art museum whose principal focus is Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the Michener Art
OiD
Museum collects both historic and contemporary American works, with a focus on the art of Bucks County.
Morven Museum & Garden 55 Stockton Street Princeton, NJ 08540 609-924-8144
Morven.org
Morven Museum & Garden, is a historic 18thcentury house. It served as the governor's mansion for nearly four decades in the twentieth century, and has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
Patricia Hutton Galleries 47 West State Street
Doylestown, PA 215-348-1728
www.PatriciaHuttonGalleries.com
A fine art gallery located in the charming historic district of Doylestown, specializing in Impressionism and Realism by renowned Bucks County and New England artists. We also offer small antiques, vintage and antique sterling silver and etched glass. We also carry artisan crafted, hand painted wooden bowls, decoys, pottery, and fine frames.
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Phillip’s Mill
2619 River Road
New Hope, PA
215-862-0582
www.phillipsmill.org
The historic Phillips’ Mill has been a welcoming space for visual and performing artists for more than 100 years. Yet, our quaint center for the arts was once a working grist mill, a structure of historic significance that we must preserve for generations to come. The Phillips' Mill Community Association supports programming in the visual and performing arts and hosts social and educational events.
Phoenix Art Supplies & Framing
1810 S. Easton Rd
Doylestown, PA
215-345-0980
www.phoenixartsupplies.com
Acrylics, Oils, Watercolors, and Gouaches ... top quality paints are available for beginners and pro artists alike! To suit your needs, a selection of popular paints, mediums, and varnishes ranging from student to professional grades are in stock. And Phoenix Art Supplies & Framing has one of the largest and most eclectic frame selections in the area with over 2,200 frame choices selected from 21 different manufacturers.
Red Tulip Gallery
19C Bridge Street
New Hope, PA
267-454-0496
www.redtulipcrafts.com
Red Tulip Gallery is an artists' cooperative run by members of the Bucks County Guild of Craftsmen, a local chapter of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen. We're artists and fine craftsmen working in a range of disciplines, such as jewelry, pottery, glass, textiles, photography, painting, and wood.
Silverman Gallery
4920 York Road, Route 202
Holicong, PA
215-794-4300
www.silvermangallerybuck scounty.com
The Silverman Gallery of Bucks County Impres-
sionistic Art is committed to promoting the next generation of fine artists painting in the Impressionistic style. These proven, award-winning artists carry on the tradition of such eminent painters as Edward Redfield, Fern Coppedge, Daniel Garber and the other fine artists that produced a legacy of creative expression reflecting the beauty of Bucks County.
Simons Fine Art
Framing & Gallery
122 N. Main Street Dublin, PA
215-249-9155
Simon’s is artist owned and passionate about art. And it is dedicated to the craft of fine art framing and committed to keeping it affordable and accessible.
Stover Mill Gallery 852 River Road Erwinna , PA
610-294-0420
www.tinicumcivicassociation.org
In its 64th season, Bucks County's longest continually running art gallery will hold its 10th Juried Art Exhibition during four weekends beginning October 12th with a gala opening on Sunday, October 13th - 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
The Frame Game Stores in Newtown and Yardley, PA 215-860-8727 Newtown 215-321-9141 Yardley
www.theframegame.com
The Frame Game specializes in Custom & Do-ityourself framing. You name it, we'll frame it! We have two locations with a huge selection of moulding, and a unique collection of gifts and home decor items.
WhoaShop Woodworking 220 Jacksonville Road Hatboro, PA 19040
845-642-9732
WhoaShop Woodworking designs and builds custom furniture that is an eye-catching centerpiece of your home. We work with top interior designers and provide the highest quality tables, wood countertops, home bars, islands and heirloom pieces.
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chener Art Museum, TileWorks and Fonthill Castle. Yet, Laurel Highlands is where she hangs her hat and, when not shaping the future of Touchstone, Lindsay is shaping her own haven, a 1939 log home, that was purchased two years ago. “That's been the most recent project, renovating this house and doing all of the gardening and the interior as well. It’s another creative avenue I guess,” Lindsay, who has three cats and a dog, all of them rescues, said. “I've really enjoyed doing it. Not that there haven't been some tears. Learning how to do tile and all of that. That's been really challenging, but rewarding.”
Taking something with decades of history behind it and bringing it into the future with creativity, skill and vision sounds an awful lot like Lindsay’s day job at Touchstone Center for Crafts, but don’t tell her that. “It doesn't feel like a job. I talk to so many people who are unhappy with what they do as a career. I never feel that way. Not that there aren't challenging days. It's not an easy thing to be doing, but I like the challenge of it. I like the people I work with. I like the team. I like interfacing with other arts administrators in the field,”
Lindsay Ketterer Gates said. “I’m definitely excited about the future for Touchstone. We've spent the last six years making some great improvements. Touchstone is going really well and our audience is expanding, and we're working on expanding what we are offering to the community. I think we're just excited about the future in general.”
For more information about Touchstone Center for Crafts, 1049 Wharton Furnace Road, Farmington, PA or its upcoming events, call 724-329-1370, email info@touchstonecrafts.org or visit www.touchstonecrafts.org. For more information on Lindsay Ketterer Gates, visit www.lindsaykgates.com, or on the Laurel Highlands website, visit www.golaurelhighlands.com.v
Cynthia Marone is a freelance writer who lives in Philadelphia.
