The Art Show Issue
The Art Show’s return to the Mill has been, in a word, triumphant. We cannot overstate the level of excitement, incredible turnout and general good vibe felt by all who came out for the opening weekend of the 92nd Phillips’ Mill Juried Art Show.
If you missed it, there is still plenty of time to experience this extraordinary show. It will be on display at the Mill and online through October 31, 2021. If you are thinking of purchasing artwork from the show, don't wait too long—it is selling fast.
In this issue, we also announce the six winning plays and playwrights of the 4th Annual Emerging Playwright Competition. You’ll be hearing a lot more about these talented playwrights in the November issue of The Grist.
Art Show Weekend Opening a Success!
Following our traditional opening reception for patrons and benefactors on Friday, September 24th, in which the award winners were announced, the 92nd Annual Juried Art Show opened to hundreds of enthusiastic art lovers the next day. It was one of our most successful openings ever.
Here’s what you need to know about this year’s show:
You can visit the show online, at the Mill, or both!
This flexible format makes it possible for art enthusiasts and collectors from near and far to see and potentially purchase artwork from the show. “In-person sales are dominant, but we’ve had collectors see works online and then return to the Mill to purchase them. I also suspect that some people see the works in the Mill and then, after having time to think about them at home, make a purchase online,” says Laura Womack, Chair of the Art Committee.
You can meet the artists at Phillips’ Mill.
Have a question about a certain painting you love? Or maybe you would just love to chat with one of the artists in person? Come to the Mill during scheduled “meet the artists” events. Click here for dates and times.
You can learn more about the artists online.
We will be adding more content about individual artists, as well as the show, on the Phillips’ Mill website, during our October 10th and 24th Art Talks and on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
You can feel more confident buying art.
We encourage new art collectors to visit many local shows, including ours, of course. It's a great way to see what's available and discover artists whose work resonates with you. Our latest blog, "A Beginner's Guide to Art Collecting" offers tips and advice for new buyers. You can also listen to our September 19th ArtTalk with David Rago of Rago Arts and Auction Center for more information and fascinating insights.
92nd Juried Art Show Winners Announced!
We are pleased to announce the 2021 Juried Art Show Award Winners.
Phillips' Mill 2021 Honored Artist: George Anthonisen of Doylestown, PA, The Rape of Justice
Patrons' Award for Painting: Beach Grill Ocean City II by Mary Ann Bowman of Doylestown, PA
Patrons' Award for Drawing, Pastel or Printmaking: Stuck in the Past by Leslie Schlegel of Quakertown, PA
Patrons' Award for Sculpture: Diligence/Kintsugi by Tricia Zimic of Upper Black Eddy, PA
Congratulations to all!
Frank Arcuri Shares His Light
When Frank Arcuri began painting “Capriccio,” it had been nearly 25 years since he had submitted any artwork to the Phillips’ Mill Juried Art Show. In that time, the fine artist has earned much acclaim for his masterful still life paintings. What prompted Frank, after a quarter-century, to return to the competition?
“I wanted to have some fun after being shut in during the pandemic, see what kind of reaction my painting would get, and meet other artists,” he explains.
Today, in a studio he shares with his wife, Marjarie, in Erwinna, Pa, he is “as happy as any human being can be, but it was time to start meeting other artists again. Artists are a bunch of interesting people,” he says.
Did you know we feature a new artist every month? You can catch up on previous spotlights here.
Meet the Patrons’ Award Winners
Sunday, October 10, 5 to 6 p.m.
Patrons’ Awards are the highest honor awarded to the artists in the Phillips’ Mill Juried Art Show, and only three are given each year. This year, all three winners are women!
Join us on ArtTalk when Mary Ann Bowman, Leslie Schlegel and Tricia Zimic share their work and inspirations.
Mary Ann Bowman
Leslie Schlegel
Tricia Zimic
Meet the Artists of the 92nd Juried Art Show
Sunday, October 24, 5 to 6 p.m.
During this special edition of ArtTalk, we will introduce you to artists from the Juried Art Show by request! If there is a particular painting that really struck you, or an artist you have always wanted to learn more about, let us know. We can’t guarantee we will bring them all on the show, but we are sure to come up with a fascinating lineup with your help.
Send your suggestions to Phillipsmill.ArtTalk@gmail.com.
Fourth Annual Emerging Playwright Competition Winners Announced!
Congratulations to the winning playwrights, whose work we look forward to hearing read on the stage of the Phillips’ Mill on November 20th.
- The Wonderer - Lynda Crawford
- Beware the Kraken - Sherry Friedman
- Northern Lights - Nancy Vander Zwan
- The Advocate - Kate Thomas
- Blighted - Dominique Cieri
- The Eulogy - Jeff Stolzer
“We were honored to have two new judges for this year’s competition, Kimberly Kalaja and Wilbert Turner,” says Valerie Eastburn, Chair of the Emerging Playwright Competition. “And for the first time, we have a repeat winner! Congrats to Jeff Stolzer for his second win!”
Valerie also points out that of the winning playwrights, local Nancy Vander Zwan was a reader for the 2020 EPC event. It’s nice to see a community of emerging writers blossom through their involvement with the competition.
What’s more, four of this year’s winning playwrights hail from New York, with two from Brooklyn.
Reading of Winning Plays
November 20, 2021, 7 p.m.
We look forward to bringing this wonderful event back to the stage! We're also excited to announce there will be a wine reception following the readings for sponsors, actors, playwrights, jurors and audience. We are also planning a moderated talk back/Q&A between the audience and the playwrights.
Sponsors will be announced in the program, as well as in the Grist and on our website.
2019 EPC-Winning Playwright Publishes First Novel
We are excited to share some news from one of our alums! Lisa DeAngelis, whose one-act play, “Upstaged,“ was among the 2019 EPC winning entries, has published her first novel! "Angels Unaware" was published by Regal House on June 8, 2021. What’s more, one of her full-length plays, “In the Secret City,” was recently published in the United Kingdom.
“My first experience with Phillips' Mill was as part of their Emerging Playwright Competition in 2019. I had written a one act, 'Upstaged,' with a partner, Michael Naylor, a man who I had worked with at the Bucks County Playhouse for a long time,” says Lisa. “We had both been witness to some hysterical goings-on there, and once we sat down to reminisce, the play wrote itself.”
Lisa just finished her second novel and is currently seeking an agent. She lives in New Hope, Pa., with her husband, youngest child, two dogs and a cat. She works as an English teacher at an adjudicated facility for juvenile offenders.
A Celebration of our Lathrop Circle Supporters
This past September 12, we honored our most generous supporters at a special event at the home of Patrick and Mary Fowles, a wonderful, converted stone barn. Each year, members of the Phillips’ Mill Lathrop Circle are invited to come together to celebrate the arts—and each other!
“We are deeply grateful for the contributions of our Lathrop Circle members, whose support for Phillips’ Mill helps us maintain our historic mill and elevate the arts in Bucks County,” says John McDevitt, President of PMCA, who spoke at the event about the importance of art and artists’ communities.
Guests were treated to a fascinating discussion by guest speaker Jeffrey Marshall, an expert on restoring old buildings, as well as the wonderful food and wine, and beautiful gardens.
Annual membership to the Lathrop Circle is $250 or more. Please consider joining today!
Dafydd Jones has been living in Bucks County since the age of two. Growing up, he recalls taking photographs of the things around him, whether at home or on vacation.
“I have been taking photographs seriously for more than two decades. I first entered the Phillips’ Mill Photo Exhibition about 20 years ago,” he recalls. He has volunteered on various PMPE committees and in various capacities and was co-chair of the show for three years.
“I shoot nature, landscapes, wildlife, and birds mostly, but truth be told, I’ll shoot anything that can’t outrun me. I’m still working on my photography and trying to get better at the digital side.”
Today he lives in Doylestown, Pa., and is a member of the North American Photography Nature Association (NANPA). In addition to photography, his interests include family, traveling and concern for the well-being of the natural world, which is evident in his photography.
His work was featured in the PMPE online show in 2021, and is on display in our Member Galleries.
