Those Lazy, Crazy Days of Summer
August is American Artist Appreciation month, a time we are encouraged to support local artists, visit museums, see an art show and read an artist’s biography. Of course, these are the things we do every day at Phillips’ Mill. And thanks to our dedicated and generous supporters and volunteers, we are also able to share our appreciation of the arts with others through our exhibitions and programming.
The lazy days of summer are some of the busiest days for our supporters and volunteers. Submissions for both the 93rd Annual Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill, Bucks County’s premier art show, as well as the 5th Annual Juried Emerging Playwright Competition, are being accepted through the end of the month. Not only are our esteemed jurors evaluating up to 50 scripts, but our committee members are also working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of these events.
Artists and Writers: It’s Time to Submit Your Work
The 93rd Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill is accepting submissions through August 31 via online registration on Smarter Entry. The show is open to artists from within a 25-mile radius of the Mill. We welcome and encourage artists of all backgrounds, styles and interests to submit their work.
The 5th Annual Phillips’ Mill Juried Emerging Playwright Competition is also accepting submissions through August 31. The competition is open to all aspiring playwrights 18 and older, as well as seasoned writers who have new short plays to present. These works must not have been previously performed except in workshops or in educational settings.
SHOW ON DISPLAY
September 24—October 30, 2022
Online and at the Mill
ARTIST REGISTRATION
Through Wednesday, August 31
Online via Smarter Entry
RECEIVING DAYS AT THE MILL
All submissions must be dropped off at the Mill for in-person jurying.
Friday, September 9, 12 to 6 pm
Saturday, September 10, 10 am to 4 pm
OPENING NIGHT PREVIEW & RECEPTION FOR PATRONS & ARTISTS
Friday, September 23, 5 pm
The Tradition Continues
The Phillips' Mill Community Association, long considered the birthplace of Pennsylvania Impressionism, has served the Bucks County arts community for nearly a century. Founded by William Lathrop in 1929, the Mill became home to the New Hope School artists including Daniel Garber, Fern Coppedge, John Folinsbee, Mary Elizabeth Price and Edward Redfield who used the space for meetings, socializing, and exhibitions.
The Phillips' Mill Juried Art Show, the most prestigious art show in Bucks County and the Delaware River region, attracts top talent and serious art collectors. A new panel of esteemed jurors curates the show each year.
“It takes a village, as the old saying goes, to put on a show like the Annual Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill,” says Mary Flamer, Art Show Committee Chair. “Please join me in recognizing the people who make it possible, especially our longstanding supporters who have demonstrated their commitment to this organization and the arts year after year.”
A Delightful Reason to Support the Mill
The opening reception of the Annual Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill is the biggest night of the year. Held this year on September 23, it is open to any artist who has submitted work, whether accepted or not, as well as supporters who have given at the Patron's Level ($100 or more).
Access to this magical night and Bucks County tradition is one of the many reasons to support the Juried Art Show at Phillips' Mill. But the best reason we know is to elevate the arts in Bucks County for all people to enjoy. Presenting a show at this level takes talent, a lot of work and funding. Please consider supporting this prestigious show and important community resource.
A Unique Way to Support The Art Show
Every year, the Mill presents and funds artist awards for its Juried Art Show. These include Patrons’ awards for painting, drawing, pastel or printmaking and sculpture, among others. Over the years, a number of generous individuals and organizations have established an artist award as a meaningful way to support the Mill and become a part of its history.
The Next Generation with Alexander Shanks
Wednesday, August 24, 5 pm
Alexander Shanks is a classically trained artist in the tradition of his parents, Nelson Shanks and Leona Shanks. He fuses classical methods with contemporary ideas. We’ll talk with him about what that means and how trends in technique affect what we see. Alexander is just back from Italy, where he absorbed inspiration from the classical masters. We’ll find out how he is applying this experience to his work in our modern context.
Alexander Shanks is a teacher of realist art. He paints portrait commissions, still life and figure paintings. He studied at Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia and has taken workshops with notable artists.
UPCOMING DATES
SEPTEMBER 28
Luiz Vilela
The 93rd Juried Art Show’s Honored Artist shares the influences of his Native Brazil on his work.
OCTOBER 26
Spotlight on The Emerging Playwrights Competition
We’ll explore playwriting and this popular Phillips’ Mill competition.
NOVEMBER 16
Annelies Van Dommelan
The improvisational artist discusses the challenges and rewards of working without a plan. And we’ll ask her about all those crows!
What Every Playwright Needs: An Audience
Submissions Open
July 1 - August 31, 2022
The Phillips’ Mill Emerging Playwright Competition, now in its fifth year, attracts talented playwrights from a 100-mile radius of the Mill. The goal of the competition is to encourage new work and bring it to the stage. Every year, six short plays are selected by a jury to be read on stage, with talkbacks with the audience following the readings.
“This competition is a valuable opportunity for playwrights to gain insight into how an audience responds to their work. This feedback is critical for further development of the play and playwright, and the audience is an integral part of that process,” says Drama Committee Chair Valerie Eastburn.
Only the first 50 submissions received during the acceptance period (July 1 – August 31, 2022 midnight) will be considered. Each winning entry will receive a cash prize of $100 and a public reading before a live audience at Phillips’ Mill on Saturday, November 19, 2022.
Drama Committee Introduces New Juror
Sherry Freidman, an award winning playwright, educator, journalist and Fulbright scholar, has joined Judy Hallberg and Wilbert Turner on the judging panel of the Emerging Playwright Competition for 2022.
Sherry, whose plays have been performed at theaters across the country, has written for such notable publications as The New York Times, New York Magazine, Newsday, Time Out New York, YM, and Cosmopolitan.
We welcome Sherry and look forward to another successful competition.
Phillips’ Mill Drama Featured on Creative Conversations
Valerie Eastburn, Chair of the Drama Committee, and Playwright Rick Goodwin, were recently interviewed by Mandee Hammerstein on Creative Conversations, a show about the arts and entertainment scene in Bucks County on 89.7 WDVR, a listener-supported, community-oriented radio station
Hear what Valerie and Rick had to say about the Mill and the world premiere of “Bleeding in Black and White” by clicking on the link below.
Thank You for Supporting Live Theater!
We were touched by the response to our spring and summer performances of “Marriage: What’s Love Got to Do with It” and “Bleeding in Black & White,” respectively. We were delighted to see so many of you come out to the Mill to enjoy these wonderful productions and support our Drama Committee.
There are many ways to show your support for our community theater program. We welcome new members and volunteers who share our passion for the stage. If you are interested in joining our committee, contact us at drama@phillipsmill.org.
Please consider becoming a valued sponsor of our Emerging Playwright Competition (EPC). Every donation, however small, helps make it possible for us to continue to offer this meaningful program. We are deeply grateful for your support.
We Thank Bridget Wingert for Being a Champion for Local News and a Supporter of the Arts
Bridget Wingert understands the importance of community and what it means to support local businesses and organizations. The executive editor of the Bucks County Herald, the local newspaper she founded with her late husband Joseph T. Wingert in 2002, has seen a recent uptick in advertising.
“The whole country is realizing the importance of local news. People want to know who is going to pave their roads and run their schools,” she says. And, of course, they also want to know how to enjoy and support the arts in their communities.
Bridget is among a group of long-standing members of the Phillips’ Mill Community Association who support its mission in a variety of ways. The Bucks County Herald, for example, sponsors an award each year in Memory of Joseph T. Wingert.
Join us in thanking Bridget for her continued support of the Mill and for promoting the arts and culture of Bucks County. We wish her well as she steps down as executive editor of the Bucks County Herald this September. She will continue in her new role as chair of the Bucks County Herald Foundation Board of Directors.
We Need Building and Grounds Volunteers
The Phillips’ Mill Community Association is looking for help maintaining its historic building, setting up for events and other special projects.
Activities: Provide TLC for a 1756 building, set up for major events, special projects
Skills: General light work with furniture, handy with light hand tools, gardening
Frequency: Typically once a month for 1 to 4 hours, depending on your availability
Benefits: Personal satisfaction, meeting new people, having fun!
