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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Emily J. Irwin, Public Relations Consultant

(267) 253-9303 or emily@irwinpr.com

GREATER NEW HOPE CHAMBER ANNOUNCES FREE HOLIDAY PARKING

NEW HOPE, PA (November 18, 2008) – In collaboration with New Hope Borough Council, the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce announces free parking (two hour limit) at New Hope Borough street meters from December 15, 2008 through January 1, 2009. Free parking in Union Square, courtesy of George E. Michael & Co., Inc. is also available December 19 – 21 and December 25 – 28, 2008.

"The Chamber greatly appreciates the Borough's willingness to work with us for this annual initiative, and values the support we've received from George E. Michael & Co.," says Louis Licitra, President of the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce. "We hope that locals use the free parking as an opportunity to patronize businesses in their own community this holiday season and that our visitors feel welcomed by the gesture."

Licitra continues, "We are also mindful that ongoing construction on Bridge Street may cause detours throughout the holidays and unfortunately, into the spring of 2009. We encourage visitors to avoid trying to park at downtown Bridge Street if possible, by parking in Union Square or at metered spots and various lots at the north and south ends of town. Shops and galleries on Bridge Street are open and ready for business despite the detour!"

The detour allows one-way traffic eastbound on Bridge Street. Westbound traffic on Bridge Street, coming over the free bridge from Lambertville, New Jersey, is detoured onto northbound Route 32 (North Main Street). PennDOT expects to complete the project by June 2009.

The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce is organized to promote the economic, civil, commercial, cultural, artistic, historical and educational interests of the area. For more information, visit www.NewHopeChamber.com or call (215) 862-9990.

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The Roxey Ballet
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kristina Maiwaldt
November 7, 2008
908-812-6556 or marketing@roxeyballet.org PHOTOS of Wheelchair dancers available

Roxey Ballet’s unique Nutcracker is accessible to all—with a true Spectrum of Participation

Performances held at Villa Victoria Theater in Ewing, November 28th at 3pm, November 29 – 30 at 1pm and 4 pm and a special school performance on 12/1 at 10:00 am with Q&A and meet the dancers.

Lambertville, NJ—The Nutcracker Ballet has become an American Holiday Tradition as much as lights, snow, and Santa Claus. In fact, Roxey Ballet of Lambertville has been performing their annual Nutcracker for 13 years to packed and pleased audiences. This professional ballet production, however, is still a standout because of Roxey Ballet’s commitment to its mission statement to be an all-inclusive organization that fosters a creative environment of growth for all artists, including those with disabilities.

In Roxey Ballet’s Nutcracker, the classic, enchanting story of Clara and her magical Christmas present comes to life along with dancers of all types who captivate and bring us on a magical journey to the Land of the Sweets. Wheelchair dancers Khristina Criqui, 8, of Rockaway and Rebecca Taggart, 13, of New Brunswick travel weekly to Roxey Ballet’s Lambertville studio to be a part of this unique dance company.

“The Roxey Ballet is the only place I know of that allows kids in wheelchairs to participate in Ballet and it is a long drive for my mom and I. But I love dancing in front of an audience, and I really love ballet. I hope that someday there will be more kids in wheelchairs doing ballet too.”

“The wheelchair dancer demonstrates to the audience the beauty of inclusion and art of the wheelchair dance as an amazing, physical and truly touching art form,” says Mark Roxey, Artistic Director of Roxey Ballet.

Khristina Criqui has been performing with Roxey Ballet since 2006. She adds that, ““Dancing makes me feel happy. It is a lot of fun working with the other dancers and when I dance with the professional dancers, they make me feel very special.”

What’s more is that this Nutcracker production includes an impressive cast of twelve professional dancers from all over the US and the World, some from as far away as Korea. “There is not another Nutcracker in this area that is this diverse, this inclusive and this professional,” says Roxey.

Local students from the Mill Ballet School including the triple casting of young Clara (Catherine Messina of New Hope, PA: Katharine Barkman of Churchville PA; and Katherine Duffy of Flemington) and the part of Fritz the endless troublemaker (Paul Messina of Flemington) dance along with some of their parents and community members to round out this beautiful, inclusive and truly community-based production of the Nutcracker.

Tickets for Roxey Ballet’s Nutcracker can be purchased online at www.roxeyballet.org or by calling the box office at (609) 397-7616 X 3.

The Roxey Ballet is one of three professional Ballet companies in the state of New Jersey, founded 16 years ago by professional dancers Mark and Melissa Roxey. Roxey Ballet is supported in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, The Horizon Foundation, Church & Dwight and The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.

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The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion Hosts an exhibit of works from New Jersey Toymaker J. Chein and Company November 21, 2008 through March 22, 2009 Opening Reception Friday, November 21, 6 – 9 pm

Mayor Douglas H. Palmer announced today that the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion in Cadwalader Park and the Trenton Museum Society will present: A Toy Story: Seven Decades of J. Chein and Company, New Jersey Toymaker. Featured events include a free exhibit Opening Reception, Saturday, November 21, 2008 from 6-9pm with a very special visit from Santa Claus! Alan Jaffe, author of J. Chein & Co.: A Collector's Guide to an American Toymaker will speak at Ellarslie on Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 2 PM. Copies of his book will be available at Molly’s, the Shop at Ellarslie while the exhibit is on display. Museum members are invited to attend from 6 to 7 p.m. and the public is invited from 7 to 9 p.m.

Tin Toys Target Trenton!
What would childhood be without toys? Perhaps the memories of your childhood will be piqued by the trains, tops and trucks in the upcoming exhibit at the Trenton City Museum.

A never before exhibited collection of J. Chein and Company tin toys and memorabilia will be on display at the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion in Trenton, New Jersey’s beautiful Cadwalader Park. Chein family members of the Burlington, New Jersey business are exhibiting their personal collections which include their most memorable toys accompanied by pieces from the extensive collection of Georgia Marsh, the world’s leading collector of Chein Toys.

J. Chein and Company was founded in 1903, producing lithographed and stamped metal toys. In 1949 the company moved to Burlington under the ownership of Robert Beckelman and Irving Sachs. By 1960 the company was turning out 100,000 toys a day.

Known to collectors today for toys of such iconic figures as Popeye, Krazy Kat, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Chein also produced holiday toys, transportation toys and banks. Mechanical ride toys, introduced in the 1930s were especially popular, especially the Ferris Wheel.

Bring back your childhood memories with a visit to this fanciful collection exhibited at the Trenton City Museum through March 22, 2009. For additional information visit the museum website at – www.ellarslie.org or call 609-989-3632.

The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion is owned by the City of Trenton, Douglas H. Palmer, Mayor, maintained and operated by the Department of Recreation, Natural Resources & Culture, Division of Culture. This program is made possible in part by the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission through funding from the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, A Partner Agency of the National Endowment of the Arts. All programs and additional support provided by The Trenton Museum Society.

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  PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Howard Cooperman
Phone / Fax: 215.862.5272
Email: framz1@aol.com
Event: “Environmemtal Transitions” Exhibit
Artist: Christine Graefe Drewyer
Dates: Dec. 2 - Dec. 31, 2008
Reception Date: Dec. 6, 5 - 9 p 

new works by CHRISTINE GRAEFE DREWYER
will be featured at Bucks county gallery of Fine Art.

 November 14, 2008 - New Hope PA, Bucks County Gallery of Fine Art (formerly Howard Gallery), is pleased to announce the opening of their exhibit featuring oil paintings by Annapolis Maryland Artist, Christine Graefe Drewyer.

Christine is an environmental activist dedicated to the preservation of our planet.  That cause is the driving force and focus in her artistic voice.  Finally there is a mission to her madness, as they say. Having grown up in the woods, surrounded with all manner of creatures, Christine fully embraces the land.  To emulate the beauty of her experience is why she paints.  What a fabulous ride this is.

She feels the great satisfaction of doing that which honors her gifts and brings her joy.  “It is more than satisfying to know that another individual will collect my creations and I, of course, know the secret … these paintings can only be made when I am 100% present and connected to whatever it is that you call source.  That energy then goes full circle and brings the owner all of its wonderful concentrated joy and it is passed on  … and so it continues.”

Having attended Maryland College of Art & Design, Christine was obsessed with the old masters and became a certified copyist for the National Museum in Washington DC and studied the Impressionists with a hunger and a passion to rival anything she’d ever experienced.

The artist has had the joy of being in this field for over 20 years, having over a dozen solo shows and countless group shows.  She was selected by the editors of American Art Collector Magazine as a featured artist in October 2007, named Woman of the Year in her field by National Association of Professional and Executive Women in 2008.  She’s a member of Women in the Arts, an Associate member of Oil Painters of America and actively support and contribute to The Nature Conservancy and Heifer International.

Paintings will range in size from 9” x 12” through 30” x 40”. Prices of Christine’s paintings have proven to steadily increase over time, which has added value for those collectors looking to invest and diversify their portfolio.

People purchasing her work can fall in love with a painting, and make an investment at the same time, while enjoying and appreciating the artwork every day of the year!

Bucks County Gallery of Fine Art is located at 77 W. Bridge Street, in New Hope PA. (just above the train tracks) with private off street parking). Call 215.862.5272 or visit buckscountygallery77.com

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Subject:  “Oliver” Opens at The Bucks County Playhouse

Contact:  Richard Akins 609 912 0970 rakins@aol.com

The Broadway musical, “Oliver” opens a three week run on November 5, 2008 through November 23, 2008 at The Bucks County Playhouse, the State Theater of Pennsylvania in New Hope, PA.

The story revolves around an orphan, Oliver Twist, who is sold to a Dunstable undertaker after asking for more food at the orphanage.  Escaping to London he is taken in by Fagin to join his gang of child pickpockets.  Wrongly accused of a theft he meets a more kindly gentleman who takes him in, to the concern of one of Fagin’s old pupils, the violent Bill Sykes.  In the middle is Nancy, Sykes’ girl who Oliver has come to trust.

This musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’s classic tale was written for the Broadway stage by Lionel Bart who created the book, music and lyrics.  “Oliver” has delighted audiences with its outstanding musical numbers, Food, Glorious Food, I’d Do Anything, Where is Love?, Consider Yourself, As Long As He Needs Me and Who Will Buy.

The “Oliver” cast of over thirty features Wesley Cappiello in the title role with John Anker Bow playing Fagin and Alison Rose Munn as Nancy.  Matthew DeCarlo created the Direction and Choreography.  Michael Zweig is the Musical Director with costumes by Linda Bee and Adam Bell is the productions Stage Manager.

Performances are 8 PM Wednesday through Saturday, 4 PM on Saturday and 2 PM Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday tickets are available at 215-862-2041 or online at www.buckscountyplayhouse.com

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Contact: Howard Cooperman
Phone / Fax: 215.862.5272
Email: framz1@aol.com
Event: Dot Bunn Exhibit
Dates: Oct. 25 - Nov. 30, 2008

New Hope PA, October 6, 2008 - Gallery owner Howard Cooperman proudly announces the opening of the annual Dot Bunn fall exhibit on October 25th & 26th.
The attached JPEG is an oil painting on board by Dot Bunn is titled “A Cold Winter”. It measures 22” x 34”.

One of New Hope’s largest galleries, Bucks County Gallery of Fine Art, formerly Howard Gallery, will again host Dot Bunn’s annual fall show of new paintings. The show consists of over 30 new paintings completed over the past year. There are many familiar views such as “Cuttalossa Autumn”, “Pineville Farm” and “Stover Park”.  Dot paints the Bucks County landscape and subjects drawn from her daily life, but her focus is always on the process of making a work of art, not on making a pretty picture. The show stopper and centerpiece is a 36”x 30” winter scene titled “Winter Sunset” revealing the artist's fascination with the magical light and glowing shadows that shine through the trees, and falls on the snowy ground. “Winter in Bucks County”, a moody snow scene, depicts a barn slightly hidden behind the trees in the stillness of winter.

The natural beauty of Bucks County is captured in her unique interpretation of the rural countryside, its farms, and fields. Her mastery of painting is truly remarkable, for each painting is crafted with a consistent attention to planning composition, light, color, and form. Dot chooses her subjects carefully, using images obtained during “picture hunting trips” as reference material. From this “photography of opportunity” she identifies an image, interprets what she sees, then plans a drawing or “Grisaille” before finding a compelling way to arranging the paint on the canvas. Her painting is a visual experience and cannot be fully understood if described only as titles such as “A Cold Winter” or “Early Thaw”.

Dot Bunn is a recognized talent with work currently on exhibit at the National Arts Club and the Salmagundi Club in New York City. Her oil paintings have been exhibited at the Berks County Museum, Berman Museum, Sykes Galley in Millersville, and many national juried fine art shows.

Dot works in her studio everyday for six to eight hours painting and reading books on the techniques and philosophy of art. For Dot, art is a science that requires practice and skill building, just as in music and literature. Creativity with the foundation of solid construction and color usage is what great art is about. Kenyon Cox stated “without design there may be representation but there is no art”. This is a motto that is written across her studio wall. Dot believes that a great artist is not purely self taught nor is art the result of mindless playing around.

Dot and gallery owner Howard Cooperman look forward to greeting you at the artist open receptions being held on Saturday October 25, from 6pm - 9pm, and Sunday, October 26 from 1pm - 4pm. The show continues until November 30.

Bucks County Gallery of Fine Art is located at 77 W. Bridge Street, New Hope PA. and is open Tuesday through Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 12pm - 5pm, and by appointment. For information call (215) 862-5272 or visit www.buckscountygallery77.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:       

Emily J. Irwin, Public Relations Consultant          

(267) 253-9303 or emily@irwinpr.com 

NEW HOPE CHAMBER PRESENTS HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES

 

NEW HOPE, PA (October 6, 2008) – The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce presents two free events to celebrate Halloween. The infamous High-Heeled Pumpkin Race is Friday, October 24 at 6:00 p.m. and New Hope's 3rd Annual Costume Parade is Sunday, October 26 at 5:30 p.m. Many of New Hope's merchants are also planning unique in-store activities and special decorative displays. Restaurants and bars in town are hosting a variety of costume parties, entertainment and dance parties. For details, visit www.NewHopeChamber.com and click on the Calendar tab, or call (215) 862-9990.

The High-Heeled Pumpkin Race up West Mechanic Street takes place on Friday, October 24 at 6:00 p.m. Any and all wearing high-heeled shoes may participate in this display of daring, cross-dressing fun sponsored by Tear Drop Memories and hosted by Miss Pumpkin. Racers must arrive with and carry a pumpkin weighing at least 15 lbs. Drag costumes are encouraged.

New Hope's 3rd annual Costume Parade begins at the bridge on Ferry Street on Sunday, October 26 at 5:30 p.m. The parade concludes at Ferry Street Park adjacent to the Bucks County Playhouse. All ages, both children and adults, are invited to show off their Halloween costumes. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes!

The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce is organized to promote the economic, civil, commercial, cultural, artistic, historical and educational interests of the area. For more information, visit www.NewHopeChamber.com or call (215) 862-9990.

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For Immediate Release
October 1, 2008
Contact: Kristina Maiwaldt
908-812-6556 or kmaiwaldt@roxeyballet.org

TRANSYLVANIA HAS NOTHING ON LAMBERTVILLE

The areas’ only professional ballet company, The Roxey Ballet, is taking part this year in the long Lambertville tradition of celebrating Halloween with much pomp and circumstance.

Roxey Ballet will be performing “Dracula” beginning October 24 – November 1 in Lambertville and will be taking part in several community events, as well. Starting on October 8th, Roxey Ballet will be participating in Lambertville’s “Walk Around Wednesdays” late shopping night by having Dracula and his many victims walk the streets of town to scare and entertain shoppers.

On October 18th, Roxey Ballet will be sponsoring a blood drive with the Community Blood Council of Ewing. A blood mobile will be parked at 243 N. Union Street from 1 – 5 pm and Dracula will be there greeting ‘donors.’ A raffle for tickets to “Dracula” as well as a special street dance performance will keep things lively.

“Roxey Ballet is pleased to do their part to help ease what we know is a constant blood shortage in the state and throughout the Delaware Valley region. We encourage all area residents who are able to donate blood to join us that day and later at one of our performances,” said Mark Roxey, Aritistic Director of the company.

But, still, the most entertaining way to see Dracula in all his glory is at one of Roxey’s seven performances of Dracula, back by popular demand, in a venue that is up close, scary and local—the Canal Studio in Lambertville. “This allows residents of Hunterdon and Bucks County to really experience professional dance at the perfect time of the year,” says Roxey.

RB’s original ballet choreography closely follows Bram Stoker’s horror story set in 18th century England and tells the tale in a theatrical performance with dazzling pyrotechnic, sound and lighting effects. While there is no lack of serious dancing, it is the lurking, stalking and over the top emotions that the audience will fall for… fear, rage, horror, love and passion. The result is a production that breaks through the normal boundaries of dance performance to draw the audience deeply into the world created by the dancers and the story.

Lambertville gladly welcomed a world-class roster of professional performers for this production; including Mark St. Pierre, who is dancing the lead role. St. Pierre of Montreal, Canada has performed with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal and has been dancing professionally since 2000. The part of the unwary Renfield is danced by Se-Yong Kim from Seoul Korea, a past performer in the National Ballet Company and the role of Lucy is being danced by Julia Cobble, a former dancer with Ballet Memphis. The remaining impressive nine company dancers hail from all over the US and the world.

Tickets and more information about Roxey Ballet’s Dracula can be found at www.roxeyballet.org. Tickets are $27.50 for all shows. Performances begin October 24th and continue through November 1st. There is a special Halloween midnight performance and reception. Call Roxey Ballet at (609) 397-7616 for information.

About the Roxey Ballet: The Roxey Ballet is a non-profit, world class contemporary ballet company, dedicated to delivering artistic and cultural excellence through professional dance performances and educational programs. For 16 years, the Roxey Ballet has been focused on preserving and advancing the art of dance and creating unique, multicultural and all-inclusive works that take dance to the next level. Roxey Ballet's programs are funded in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the Wachovia Foundation, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and the Hunterdon County Cultural & Heritage Commission.

DRACULA SCHEDULE--ALL PERFORMANCES AT CANAL STUDIOS IN LAMBERTVILLE
Friday, October 24, 2008 8 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2008 4 PM & 8 PM
Thursday, October 30 8 PM
Friday, October 31 8 PM and special halloween reception at 9:30
Saturday, November 1 12 AM, 4 PM & 8 PM

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:       

Emily J. Irwin, Public Relations Consultant          

(267) 253-9303 or emily@irwinpr.com 

NEW HOPE'S "SECOND SATURDAY" EVENTS TAKE PLACE ON OCTOBER 11

NEW HOPE, PA (October 3, 2008) – The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce hosts "Second Saturday" on October 11. Over 30 fine art galleries, arts and crafts galleries and specialty shops stay open until 9:00 p.m. or later for the monthly event. To download a walking map, visit www.NewHopeChamber.com/SecondSaturdays.

"We are happy to have Howard Cooperman of Bucks County Gallery of Fine Art join the Chamber and take on the role of chairperson for Second Saturdays," says Louis Licitra, President of the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce.  "Howard has been a part of Second Saturdays since its inception and comes to us with enthusiasm and the spirit needed for this event to become even more successful. We also thank Lonn Braender of BOI's of New Hope Gallery, our previous chairperson, for his fine job organizing and initiating events."

Among the highlights on October 11:

A Mano Gallery (42 North Union Street, Lambertville) partners with the Bucks County Guild of Craftsmen this fall for an exhibit entitled "Arts Across the River." Highlighting the work of 15 dynamic artists and craftsmen, the display showcases a wide variety of media including fiber art, paper vessels, glass, ceramics, woodturning, photography, painting, baskets and jewelry. A public "Meet the Artists" reception takes place on October 11 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Bucks County Gallery of Fine Art (77 West Bridge Street, New Hope) features work by Art Poulin, Christine Drewyer and Berc Ketchain, and offers visitors seasonal refreshments.

Fred Eisen Leather (129 South Main Street, New Hope) showcases an exhibit of leather masks in addition to handmade leather bags, briefcases and sculpted leather knives.

Gallery Piquel (39 North Main Street, New Hope) shares hot spiced cider or rum with guests and presents sculpture and classical and pop oil paintings by an international array of artists. During October, the gallery offers a free art book by Benjamin Levy with the purchase of one of his surreal bronze sculptures.

Two permanent exhibitions—Creative Bucks County: A Celebration of Art and The Artists Among Us— at the James A. Michener Art Museum (500 Union Square Drive, New Hope) spotlight Bucks County's artistic heritage and contemporary art scene.

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THE HERSHEY’S TOUR DE PINK CHARITY BIKE RIDE TRAVELS THROUGH MONTGOMERY AND BUCKS COUNTY

Montgomery and Bucks County will once again welcome riders in the Tour de Pink benefitting the Young Survival Coalition (YSC), the premier non-profit network of breast cancer survivors and supporters dedicated to addressing the concerns and issues unique to young women and breast cancer.

Over 200 riders, their families and friends will arrive at Valley Forge on Friday, October 3rd on the first stage of their 220-mile bicycle ride travelling from Chocolate World in Hershey, PA to New York City.  Sponsored by The Hershey Company, each rider must raise a minimum of $2,500 with 100 percent of the funds raised going to support the YSC.

The Tour de Pink is an exhilarating experience; founding YSC member and Tour de Pink organizer, Lisa Frank of Red Bank, NJ, herself a breast cancer survivor, recalls the first meeting of YSC in November of 1998.  There were 13 people present.  In its current state, YSC constituency consists of over 24,000 survivors, caregivers, fundraisers and general supporters.  With reference to the Tour de Pink, Lisa states that “the greatest value of the ride is the people we touch along the way who did not know about the existence of YSC.  We meet people in rural and urban areas with whom we share the knowledge that if you know YSC exists, you are not alone.”

The group will travel from Hershey, PA to Valley Forge.  Saturday morning they will depart and travel through Montgomery and Bucks County.  They will be passing though New Hope sometime between 2:00 and 4:00 PM.  It would be wonderful if we could show our support by cheering them on!

Through action, advocacy and awareness, the Young Survival Coalition seeks to educate and influence the medical, research, breast cancer and legislative communities to address breast cancer in women 40 and under, and to serve as a point of contact for young women living with breast cancer.  For more information, visit www.youngsurvival.org.

For more information on the Tour de Pink, please contact Kristen Reiss at g4 Productions at 908-832-6909 or kreiss@g4events.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Emily J. Irwin, Public Relations Consultant

(267) 253-9303 or emily@irwinpr.com

GREATER NEW HOPE CHAMBER ANNOUNCES ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS

NEW HOPE, PA (September 29, 2008) – The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce awarded 13 prizes during its 15th annual juried New Hope Outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival on September 27 and 28. Over 130 artists and craftspeople from around the country participated in the festival despite the rainy weather displaying original, handcrafted work of exceptional artistry. The judges for this year's event were Carol Cruickshanks – Fine Crafts (Rago Arts and Auction, Fine Art Specialist), Robin Larsen – Fine Arts (New Hope Arts), Walter Hazzard – Jewelry (Topeo Gallery) and Kate Pollard – Photography (Photographer and Bucks County Community College Instructor). 

"A primary goal of this festival is to promote the tradition of fine arts and crafts in New Hope," said Ana Leyland, Festival Chairperson and co-owner of A Mano Galleries in New Hope and Lambertville. "In addition to the exceptional quality of the exhibitors, it is the community spirit and appreciation for the care that we all take to support this Festival that sets it apart."

The 2009 New Hope Outdoor Arts & Crafts Festival is scheduled for September 26-27. For more information, visit www.EnjoyNewHope.com.

Among the prizes awarded this year:

"Best in Show" went to last year's "Fine Crafts" 1st Place winners: Nathan and Brenda Favors

1ST PLACE, FINE ARTS:  Stephen Brehm - Oils

1ST PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY:  Richard Brown - Photography

1ST PLACE, CRAFTS:   Danielle Schaefer – Fiber Art

1ST PLACE, JEWELRY:  Eve Greiner - Geometals

2ND PLACE, FINE ARTS:   Elizabeth Andrews

2ND PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY:  Randall Scott-Persing

2ND PLACE, CRAFTS:  Jennifer Capone 

2ND PLACE, JEWELRY:  Jennifer Kerper

3RD PLACE, FINE ARTS:  Bob Richey 

3RD PLACE, PHOTOGRAPHY:  Donald Schoenleber 

3RD PLACE, CRAFTS:  Brenda Campbell 

3RD PLACE, JEWELRY:  Elizabeth Hopkin

The 2008 New Hope Outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival was sponsored by Gretz Beer, First Federal of Bucks County, Power Windows & Siding and The New York Times.

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For Immediate Release: Hidden Gardens Revealed 2, October 17th, 18th and 19th

Art Exhibition & Sale to Benefit the Kalmia Club

Contact: J. Stacy Rogers, 609-397-1610, email at: jstacyrogers@verizon.net

This release and high-resolution images are easily available at: www.lambertvillearts.com/kalmia

Headline: Hidden Gardens Revealed 2

It’s hard to keep a secret hidden in Lambertville, especially when each year in June the Kalmia Club lays open to view the horticultural wonders of selected private gardens during the “Hidden Gardens of Lambertville” tour. Along with tour-goers, this rare opportunity was taken advantage of by a dozen well-recognized, highly skilled, professional artists from the Artists’ Gallery who settled into the garden sites to paint “plein air” for the tour day.

Besides the beautiful paintings that resulted, the Artists’ Gallery artists created quite a buzz of interest and spirited conversation among tour-goers. “They added a wonderful compliment to our event.” said Fran Bardusco, Garden Tour Chairwoman, “and now these beautiful paintings are going to be offered for sale with half of the proceeds being donated to the Kalmia Club to help benefit our community efforts.”

“This is the second year that we have had the privilege to paint for the Kalmia Club,” said Stacy Rogers, President of the Artists’ Gallery cooperative, “last years benefit exhibition and sale was a great success”. The “Hidden Gardens Revealed 2” exhibition and sale is for one weekend only starting with an opening reception for the donors, patrons, friends and members of the Kalmia Club on Friday, October 17th from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Then the gallery doors will be open to the public Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The Artists’ Gallery is an artist run cooperative. “Unlike most privately owned galleries, the Artists’ Gallery members can mobilize to help good causes and organizations by doing what we do best - create,” said gallery member Gail Bracegirdle.

The Kalmia Club, headquartered at 39 York Street, Lambertville, is one of the oldest continuously running women’s club in the state of New Jersey. A member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs, the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state and a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, it provides opportunities for education, leadership training and community service through participation in local clubs, enabling members to make a difference in the lives of others.

For more information about the Artists’ Gallery’s “Hidden Gardens Revealed 2” call the Artists’ Gallery, Friday, Saturday or Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm at (609) 397-4588 or visit the gallery’s web site at www.lambertvillearts.com. More information about the Kalmia Club can be obtained by calling (609) 397-2537 or by visiting the club’s web site at www.kalmiaclub.org.