Artyfacts November December by WNEALCAIN

VOLUME XXVIII ISSUE 2

THE LEHIGH VALLEY | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

ARTYFACTS

Eriko Horiki, Washi Light Object TANE, 2017

Hello Everyone For me personally, this is my favorite season of the year. To some, this time of the year creates the most stress, but for me it's the one time that brings opportunities for all of us to demonstrate the good that is in all of us. The three things that consistently come from this time are : 1) Changes, 2) Giving Thanks, and 3) Giving Back.

If you’ve driven around Lehigh Valley in the past few weeks, you’ve noticed the season of change. Brilliant fall colors are everywhere, brown, orange, green, and yellow are bursting everywhere. The bright colors remind us that we are in a season of change. Most people think of the leaves as dying, but I see them as a shift from one form to another. The leaves will fall to the ground and become nutrition for the new leaves that will come to life in the Spring. The same is true with our lives, we endure changes in our lives not to signal the end of something but to signal that something new is coming. That’s why I love this season.

Secondly, we are entering the one time of the year that we stop as a nation and give collective thanks for the good harvests that we’ve received during the year. It’s easy to look at the COVID Pandemic and question whether or not we have something to be thankful for. If you are reading this message, you have a lot to be thankful for. There were many people, 770,000 to be exact that cannot read this message and I am thankful that you are hopefully healthy and able to move about on your own. Think about the good things in your life and you’ll arrive at the same thankful perspective. Lastly, this season is about giving. It’s a special time of the year that we look to show love in the form of a gift that demonstrates our feelings. The best gifts are not those that carry the highest price tag but those that promote unconditional feelings. H. Jackson Brown Jr. said “ the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.” The beauty of giving more is that it doesn't require that you spend money. I love this season and all that it brings. I love the colorful changes, I love giving thanks, and I love just giving and I hope you do to. Enjoy the season, Wandra Cain ~ Artifacts Editor

In this Issue On the Cover: Eriko Horiki, Washi Light Object TANE President's Letter What's Happening at AAM September SOTA Star

SOTA Events SOTA Chair Reports SOTA Financial Details SOTA Announcements

For More information please visit us at www.sotapa.org also follow us on social media facebook and instagram @society_of_the_artslv

PRESIDENT'S LETTER

Valerie Johnson

I looked back at the message I wrote for the November/December issue of Artyfacts in 2020 and I have to say - we have come so far from where we were a year ago! We found ways to overcome the challenges that were put before us and I feel like it has made us a stronger organization. We stood by our commitment to support the Museum. We dug deep, got creative and succeeded! In September this year we were back in the Museum for our General Meeting. It was great to see everyone who could attend, live and in-person. To accommodate members who weren’t ready to be meeting in-person we offered a zoom link. I apologize that this didn’t work quite the way I had hoped but I think I have figured out what went wrong and we will again offer this option going forward. For those of you who will be attending the General Meeting in-person, remember to bring proof of COVID Vaccine or proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the meeting time. This is one more layer of safety that the Museum is offering at events of more that 50 people where food and drinks will be served. On October 7th we held the 9th Annual Luncheon With the Authors. I’d like to offer huge congratulations to everyone who served on the LWTA Committees and especially to co-chairs, Mary Zegarski and Diane MacConnell. If you were there you know what a perfectly wonderful event it was. With the large doors open in the Four Seasons Room at the Lehigh Country Club we were able to enjoy the delightful fall day. The authors were all engaging as they spoke of their writing experiences and emcee Brittany Sweeney kept the conversation going with ease, even with one author attending virtually on a big screen tv in the room. One more successful SOTA fundraiser completed! Speaking of fundraisers, there are a few more coming up. Our big one will be Show House 2022, happening in the spring. Co-chairs Jill Stevens and Dianne MacConnell held a kick-off lunch for Committee Chairs on November 3rd and it is clear, they have gathered a dynamic group of SOTA women to lead us to another successful event. In the meantime our amazing Fundraising Committee is adding a small, one day event. Mark your calendars for December 5, 11am-3pm for “Sip and Shop” at Lara Bly Designs in Bethlehem. You will receive more details on this via email. Please consider supporting this Shop and Give Back Event hosted by SOTA member and fashion designer, Lara Bly. One last big thank you to Sustaining Advisors, Sharon Kimmerle and Willy Byrd who hosted the annual Sustainer Wine and Cheese Party on November 8th. They created a beautiful setting in Trexler Hall for our long time members to gather and catch up. Our Sustainers are the largest group of SOTA members, numbering 122 (including 11 non-residents). I personally asked them to engage in our fundraising efforts and encouraged them to serve on a committee. With only 46 active members and 15 professional members we need everyone to help with our core mission to support the Museum. In addition to supporting the Museum with fundraising efforts, do remember to just visit our gem of a museum to enjoy the art. If you haven’t seen the special exhibit, Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper, I encourage you to take a moment to experience this unique exhibition before it closes on January 2nd. Also remember while you are there that our Museum Store has a great selection of merchandise that make great gifts for the holidays! best always, Val

Allentown Art Museum

What's happening at AAM GET YOUR TICKET NOW click this link - http:www.allentownartmuseum.org for more information

Exhibitions Ongoing and Upcoming at AAM

Rembrandt’s Return: A Complement of Prints

Indian Sculpture: Avatars of the Hindu Gods

Sol LeWitt: Wall Drawing

Allentown Art Museum Special Event Procedures were effective November 6, 2021 and will continue to be in effect through December, 2021. For this timeframe, the policy/procedure will be applicable to Special Events with more than 50 guests expected and where food and drinks are being served. We remain committed to the health and safety of our patrons, visitors, staff, and broader community at the Allentown Art Museum (AAM) as we continue to navigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy/procedures include all visitors, staff, interns, and volunteers in the Museum for all applicable events through December, 2021. All individuals in the Museum for the Special Events will be required to: Be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (also known as SARS-CoV-2) Employees: send proof or display (may be a photo) in-person to Stacy Ross, HR (sross@allentownartmuseum.org) prior to working at any applicable Special Event. -ORWill be exempted from vaccine mandate if they provide acceptable proof of a Negative COVID test** within 72 hours of the Special Event: must be submitted to HR. ** Medical and Religious exemptions may be applied for. Please see HR for further exemption information. Any information needed to assist in complying with these Special Event Procedures, please email or call HR. Thank you! Best health, Stacy

The 2020 AAM Gala On-Line The Tuscan dinner After two postponed dates due to the pandemic the third time was a charm for 8 guests anxious to spend a long-awaited evening at the home of Marsha and Martin Heimann. This special evening was the highest bid for the Tuscan Dinner shared by good friends at the 2020 Virtual Gala Auction at the Allentown Art Museum. SOTA members Teri Johnson, Nancy Odorski and Loran Staehle and their supportive husbands along with friends, Judy and Kevin Murphy were treated to a four-course dinner in the Heimann’s gardens under the stars. Originally scheduled for a warm evening in May 2020 the weather on October 1st 2021 was chilly but a fire in the pit and a patio heater kept everyone comfortable along with the warm glow of lanterns and candles. The evening was a success, the food delicious, and the opportunity to be with good friends in person added to the atmosphere to make one think they had been transported to a dinner in Italy.

Thanks to Everyone for An Amazing Luncheon With The Authors 2021 .

SOTA STAR

For our September SOTA Star we are pleased to recognize a woman who spent a great many hours updating SOTA’s database along with her regular committee work. Working alongside this SOTA member is always a pleasure. Her contagious dedication for the AAM and SOTA with a positive attitude makes it so easy for anyone to work with her. This summer was one with many changes in SOTA’s membership. If it wasn’t for our Star’s immaculate record keeping, SOTA’s yearbook would have been a challenge to complete. She did an excellent job communicating and helping me with proof reading, all between her morning runs. She even stayed in touch while in CA visiting her grandchildren. This is dedication! It has been a sheer joy working with our Star and seeing her excellent work ethics. Barbara Traupman, says, “Our SOTA Star was one of the most enthusiastic and consistent ArtVenture volunteers during the pandemic. She volunteered in the summer of 2020 outside the Museum on the lawn, when the Museum was closed to visitors. This helped people walk up and enjoy doing art projects safely. When the Crayola classroom finally opened in the Museum, she was there to assist staff members and is already on the volunteer schedule for the fall.” Barbara continues to say, “personally, I am so glad she accepted the suggestion to join SOTA as she completes every task she agrees to do in a friendly, efficient and excellent manner.” Our Star is also on the Field Docents and Museum Event Committees and a sub for the Museum store. Please join me in recognizing our September SOTA Star, Peggy Herman! Thank you for all that you do!!

"SOTA CHAIR'S REPORTS " PERSONNEL CHAIR Peggy Herman

ARTYFACTS REPORT October/November 2021 - Personnel Chair Peggy Herman Happy Fall! I hope you’re enjoying these beautiful autumn days as much as I am. I have two requests. First, please check that you didn’t inadvertently take your magnetic SOTA badge with you when you left one of our General Meetings. Check at home, in the car, anyplace where a badge may have accidentally been placed. If you find a badge, please bring it with you to the next General Meeting. Second, remember to send personal information changes to me at peggycherman@gmail.com. MEMBER CHANGES/UPDATES: PHONE CHANGES/UPDATES: Veena Chauhan – phone update: 917-817-2162 ADDRESS UPDATES/CHANGES: Pat Hoffman 4741 Blue Bird Lane Allentown, PA 18104 Blair McFadden 2665 Gracie Lone Macungie, PA 18062 EMAIL UPDATES/CHANGES: Pat Hoffman – patriciahoffman@ptd.net MEMBERSHIP REINSTATEMENT – welcome back, Carol! Carol Guthrie Koenig (Sustainer) 2710 W Allen Street Allentown, PA 18104 Home: 610-439-3882 Cell: 610-360-4643 Email: cgkdesigner@gmail.com Attendance General Meeting – Allentown Art Museum and Zoom September 2021 Active – 30 Professional - 3 Sustainer – 18 Non-Resident - 1 Apprentice – 6 TOTAL MEMBERS - 58 Respectfully submitted, Peggy Herman

"SOTA CHAIR'S REPORTS" ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE Diane MacConnell The Admissions Committee has been very busy this fall and we are so fortunate to have a large group of Apprentices who are anxious to get involved with SOTA! Thank you to all of the SOTA Members who took the time to ask friends and family members to join us and thank you to all of the Apprentices who got online and found us yourselves. How ever it is that our Apprentices arrived here, this amazing group of women are all going to be great assets to SOTA and to the Allentown Art Museum! Nancy Bischoff is a very busy Realtor who will be joining SOTA as a Professional Member. She and her husband Chris have two children, Daisy and Penny, and they reside in Emmaus. When she is not selling homes, she spends her time volunteering for an assortment of community organizations, reading, traveling, flying light aircraft and nurturing her love of antique cars. Nancy is joining SOTA because she has a strong belief in supporting local cultural attractions, such as the Allentown Art Museum. Marissa Brunt has a strong educational background in art, and is currently completing their BA in Art History. They has also completed requirements for a minor in sculpture. Marissa actually discovered SOTA through research that they did as part of a course called, Museums; Meaning and Function. Marissa has a special interest in written language, the arts, particularly the history, conservation, and future of the arts and for equity and inclusion within educational spaces. They are interested in joining SOTA and volunteering at the Allentown Art Museum to support a local art museum through a community focus, working among like-minded people to educate and engage, especially youth. Patti DeFazio comes to us through her friendship with longtime SOTA member, Mary Anne Johnson. She has always enjoyed coming to the museum to learn about the art and has also particularly enjoyed attending the SOTA Showhouse. Patti shares a son, Michael and two stepdaughters, Gina and Kimberly with her husband Jerry. She spent her career at Volvo/Mac Trucks and now works as a fitness instructor… and according to Mary Anne Johnson, a very good one at that! Patti enjoys exercising, reading, and spending time with her family. Alicia Forward joined SOTA at the prompting of her Sister-in-Law, Ashley Ford. Alicia will be joining us as a Professional Member as she works full time in the computer software industry. In her spare time, Alicia enjoys scrapbooking, card making and other craft projects. She and her husband Richard have two children, Isabel and Olivia and they reside in Allentown. Alicia expresses that she is joining SOTA to increase her engagement with the community. Pam Gontram has a background in Art from both Kutztown and Moore College of Art where she studied Graphic Design. She has done many things related to graphics and various other art genres during her career and is now teaching Mosaic Art at the Art Establishment. In addition to her art, Pam is a busy Real Estate agent. She has three kids Josh, Lauren and Andrew with her high school sweetheart and husband, Bill. In her spare time, Pam enjoys sewing, gardening and hiking. Pam wants to join SOTA because she loves being involved in anything related to art and wants to promote art in the community. She feels that art is something positive that we all need in this crazy world we live in. It brings beauty and joy, brings people together and makes everything better.

Maryann Higgins is a retired lawyer who spent much of her career as Staff Counsel Attorney at Geico. After retiring in 2017 she finally has some free time in her life to get involved with SOTA. She is an artist herself and has taken classes at the Baum School in the past. She loves to draw and paint, plays golf on a women’s league at Iron Lakes and tennis at Winning Touch. Maryann and is also a self- proclaimed “Foodie” and has a keen interest in Health and Wellness. Desiree Jaeckle comes to SOTA through her friend Donna Serio. A creative and ambitious lady, Desiree is a writer who has self - published four books. When she is not writing she enjoys painting, reading, history, guitar and foreign films. Desiree has two children, Madi and Erich and she resides in Allentown. Desiree is anxious to begin volunteering in the museum because she wants to do her part in supporting local Arts. Susan Krieg is not only Corliss Bachman’s neighbor, but she is also an ER Doctor who works at Lehigh Valley Hospital. When she is not treating patients, she is spending her time mentoring pre-med students from Lafayette College. SOTA was of interest to Susan because as an Art Minor in College, she studied Art History, which has always been of great interest to her. Susan enjoys cycling, traveling and collecting art from local contemporary artists. Shelby Lawson saw our ad in Fig Magazine and noticed her friend Wandra Cain in the photo. She said, “Wandra! How do I get involved with this organization, and why didn’t you tell me!!!” Being a fashion designer who is passionate about the arts, Shelby thinks that SOTA is a perfect organization to get involved with. In fact, she is organizing a fashion show here at the museum which is scheduled for the spring! Shelby and her husband Donald have a daughter named Naomi and they reside in Coplay. Megan Leblond holds a B.F.A in Sculpture from Southern Illinois University's Metal Casting Program and an Art Education degree from Moravian College. She also holds a Lifecaster International Certification and has studied at the New York Studio School in Manhattan. She resides at Chandeluna, her Kunkletown Farm where she manages dye plants and herbs and is a sheapardess to a peaceful flock of icelandic sheep. Megan is currently the High School art instructor for Jim Thorpe School District. She spends her summers working on her organic clothing and fiber line and participates with area farmers' markets selling nutritious quail eggs and creating environmentally conscious art and products. She is interested in becoming a SOTA member to contribute her skills in the arts and promote public art initiatives. Megan will be joining SOTA as a Professional member. SOTA Member, Ashley Ford recommended her friend and neighbor Laura Polt to join SOTA. Laura is a nurse who is currently spending her time raising her two young boys Henry and Grant with her husband Peter. Laura owns two horses and has a passion for competitive horseback riding. She also enjoys reading, gardening and bread baking in her spare time. Laura decided to join SOTA because she has a love of art and thinks that the AAM is a great resource in the community. Dana Samouhos joined SOTA, after finding out that her friend Desiree Jaeckle was joining. She thought that it sounded like a great organization for her because she loves the joy that art brings and believes that volunteering is the best way to give back to the community. Dana and her husband George have two children, Max and Alex and live in Easton. Dana works full time running her own business called Tomato Girl, where she grows heirloom tomatoes that are distributed to local retailers. In her free time, Dana plays the ukulele, cooks, hikes and travels.

Maraleen Shields was also recommended to SOTA through her Sister- in- law Ashley Ford. You might recognize her name and face because she recently ran for for Lehigh County Judge. Maraleen is an attorney and is active on the Minority Bar Committee and the Pa Bar Associations Women in the Profession Committee. Maraleen and her husband Kevin are raising their two children Cole and Sage here in Allentown. In her limited spare time, Maraleen enjoys running. She is joining SOTA because he Sister- in- Law Ashley convinced her that it is a very worthwhile organization. Yolanda Smith was accompanying her friend Willy Byrd at LWTA and decided that SOTA was an organization that she wanted to get involved with. She sees SOTA membership as wonderful way to make a difference and serve her community. Yolanda will be joining us as a Professional member as she works full time and is currently in school earning her Master’s Degree. In her free time, Yolanda enjoys reading, writing, public speaking, singing, dancing, cycling and many other things that are too long to list! She has a great love of travel and has recently returned from a two week trip to Morocco where she got to see some beautiful art. Yolanda and her husband Michael reside in Breinigsville. She has two step children, Shenica and Hasan and a granddaughter named Autumn. If Jessie Snyder looks familiar to you, it might be because she spent about three years as a Community Docent here at Allentown Art Museum so perhaps she gave you a tour. After taking a hiatus for several years, she decided that she wanted to get involved in SOTA. Jessie has a strong art background and has a degree in both Art History and Education. She taught for 30 years in the Allentown School District and even taught some courses here at the museum. She decided to join SOTA because she really missed the art, especially in the Kress Gallery. In addition to her love of Art, Jessie is extremely active in the Citizen’s Climate Lobby and the Green Advisory Council. Jessie and her husband David have two children, Ben and Alex and they live in South Whitehall. Melissa Sterner was standing in her flower shop on Hamilton Boulevard in Allentown and she saw a young woman frantically waving to her outside, so she decided to start frantically waving back. The waving woman was none other than SOTA member, Kate Hughes. They made fast friends and Kate told Melissa all about SOTA. She decided to join because she is excited to meet like-minded people who share a love of art. She also has a desire to help make downtown Allentown come alive again and being involved in SOTA is a great way to help make that happen. Melissa enjoys working with inner city kids and volunteers with the Boys & Girls Club. She has a son named James and she also loves spending time with her niece and nephews, Lola, Sonny, Max and Rex. In addition to owning and operating Sterner’s Stems, Melissa is also an active realtor. Melissa will be joining SOTA as a Professional Member Shellie Reid- Warner graduated and spent much of her career as the Dance Team Coach at Parkland High School. Once she retired from that position, she started her own event planning business called Relevant Event Planning. With a background in Ad Design and a lifelong love of fine arts, Shellie decided that joining SOTA as a Professional member would be a great way for her to support the arts in her local community. Shellie has three children, Taylor, Dylan and Tucker and three step-children Dylan, Cynammon and Ryan with her husband Halden. In her spare time, Shellie enjoys taking long walks with her dogs, taking photos and traveling.

2021-22 Apprentice Class

Nancy Bischoff

Maryann Higgins

Megan Leblond

Jessie Snyder

Marissa Brunt

Patti DeFazio

Desiree Jaeckle

Laura Polt

Yolanda Smith

Alicia Forward

Susan Krieg

Dana Samouhos

Melissa Sterner

Pam Gontram

Shelby Lawson

Maraleen Shields

Shellie Reid-Warner

"SOTA CHAIR'S REPORTS" FUNDRAISING CHAIR Jill Stevens

Is everyone getting excited about the" 2022 SOTA Show House Greenleaf " I know we are! The 2022 Show House will open to the public on Saturday April 30th and a preview party will be held on Friday, April 29th. The Show House will conclude on Sunday, May 15th. “Greenleaf” is located at the beautiful home of Marsha and Martin Heimann , 2713 West Greenleaf Street, in Allentown's beautiful West End. Show House chairs met for a kickoff meeting and luncheon on Wednesday, November 3rd. Are you interested in serving on a Show House committee? Please reach out to Jill at 610-392-9794 or email her at Jillwstevens@gmail.com. We need all SOTA members to make this house a success! Please consider helping us! Jill Stevens and Diane McConnell

"SOTA CHAIR'S REPORTS" 2021 FINANCIAL SUMMARY Jill Weinhold

"SOTA CHAIR'S REPORTS"

PRINT COMMITTEE Sarah Montano SOTA note cards remain on sale. Size ~ 5 x7 cards with envelope. 10 cards for $10. Please contact Sarah Montano, Shirlee Neumeyer, or Elaine Soltys to arrange a Lehigh Valley purchase and delivery. Print committee's first meeting will be Thursday November 11 at 3:00 pm.

"SOTA CHAIR'S REPORTS"

CURATORIAL COMMITTEE Karen Hittinger

Artyfacts Report - Curatorial Committee November 2021 After a well-attended kick-off meeting, the Curatorial Committee is back to working on projects at pre-pandemic levels. While we’re still following the museum’s COVID protocols, it’s so nice to feel useful again! Karen Hittinger Curatorial Committee Chair

"SOTA CHAIR'S REPORTS"

Sustainer Wine & Cheese Sharon and Willy would like to Thank everyone for an amazing Event !!!!

31 North Fifth Street Allentown, PA 18101

SOTA General Meeting Wednesday, November 17, 2021 AAM

Auditorium

9:15 a.m Reunite with fellow SOTA Members

9:30 a.m. Meeting begins Guest Speaker - SOTA Docent Carol Shiner Wilson

"Greenleaf" SOTA Show House 2022