Eleven member artists from the Hamburg Area Arts Alliance will gather together in Deer Country inside Cabela’s in Tilden Township on March 19 and 20 to showcase artwork that presents natural elements, the outdoors or wildlife. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.
Daniel Christ, a well-known, local wildlife artist, has participated in past shows at Cabela’s and will return again this year. He is celebrating his 38th year as a full-time wildlife artist, having started by painting the wildlife he loved in the backyard of his Berks County home on a dairy farm. He continues to paint, drawing inspiration from his travels, and wants to share the beauty he’s found in the natural world.
Sharing that beauty is also a goal of Kenneth Liskey, an award-winning artist who believes in keeping his artwork affordable so others can enjoy having original art in their homes. Ken’s subject matter is usually lighthouses, historic places and places that he’s visited.
Gail Savage, on the other hand, draws her inspiration from the woods that surround her home. She works in watercolor, graphite and colored pencil, as well as acrylic on feathers, to showcase the birds and animals that reside on her property.
Several photographers are also participating in the show. Kathy Miller, local author and wildlife photographer, and also the show’s organizer, offers her photographic art on different mediums such as paper, wood and aluminum. Each type provides a different artistic feel. Also, Kathy is the author of the “Chippy Chipmunk” series of children’s books, and visits schools, day care centers and libraries with a nature program presentation.
More surreal photography can be found in Jay Ressler’s work. His artistic expression lives in layers between opposites. He does this by compositing his own photography in multiple layers to produce stunningly original, interleaved images that explore boundaries between reality and imagination.
In addition to painters and photographers, other artists who produce artwork using natural elements will be featured. Kathy Kenworthy, of Almosta Ranch Alpacas and Fiber Farm, will have hand-dyed yarns, garments, accessories and jewelry made from the natural fibers of alpacas, llamas, angora rabbits and sheep. Levan Stone Art produces garden structures such as ducks, mushrooms, planters, tables, bumblebees and dragonflies from quarried stone. Other highlights in the show include woodturner Roger Anderson of Fleetwood, who has been producing wood bowls, vases, lighthouses, ornaments and wine bottle stoppers for more than 22 years. Roger is a member of Bucks Woodturners and Keystone Woodturners. Another wood artist, but of a different type, is Tom Lowery, who produces quality finished wood items made with a scroll saw. His pieces include wall hangings and serving trays, which are beautiful and functional.
Other functional art includes the many unique pieces of pottery formed by artist Pirjo L’Esperance, of Mohrsville. A landscape architect by trade, Pirjo enjoys creating clay pieces that can be used in both the garden and home environments.
Likewise, home decor, especially seasonal and holiday items, is a specialty of Susan Boyer of Susan’s Ceramics. She will have a variety of painted wildlife ceramics and bird feeders.
