A second set of Bear Fever coasters featuring 4 different Bear Fever bears is now available at Dancing Tree Creations Artisans Gallery and Studio, 220 South Reading Avenue, Boyertown, PA, and Studio B Fine Art Gallery, 39A East Philadelphia Avenue, Boyertown, PA.
The coaster collection, a project initiated by Beth Rich and Lyn Camella, co-owners of Dancing Tree Creations Artisans Gallery, began as a fund-raising opportunity in support of Studio B Fine Art Gallery. Jill Wentzel, of Jill Elizabeth Photography was enlisted to photograph each of the bears.
The second set features The Barrister, sponsored by 5 local law offices and decorated by Boyertown Area High School (BASH) art students under the direction of art instructor Thomas Dareneau; Bear-gon, sponsored by Drug Plastics and Glass Co., Inc. and decorated by Gail Fronheiser; Mary Beary, the Distelbear, decorated by Candi Haas-Simmons; and Spirit sponsored by a collection of Reading Avenue businesses and decorated by Arline Christ.
“We plan to introduce new sets of bears every six months or so,” explained Rich. “Fans of the project can look forward to new sets as they are created,” she continued. “The first set is nearly sold out-three sets are left and available at Studio B; but if there is a demand at some point, we can re-order.”
The first set of coasters that were available in November 2015, included Gra-bear, the project’s logo bear, designed by Paul Stahl and sponsored and decorated by Jeff Graber of Graber Letterin’; GI Joe, a community-sponsored bear led by BASH student Scarlett Kulp and decorated by Kylene Bertoia-Hart; Box, sponsored by Body Borneman Insurance and fashioned by Doug Davidheiser; and Townie, one of the project’s prototype bears, funded by a grant secured by Boyertown Area School District and decorated by BASH students under the direction of Sandy Wood, former long-time art instructor and art instructor Debra Burkert.
Bear Fever, Boyertown’s beloved public art project, features over 70 life-sized fiberglass bear sculptures decorated by local artists and sponsored by local businesses, individuals, and organizations. The project, begun in 2003, debuted 35 bears at Boyertown High School’s annual Arts Expo in May 2005. Since then, the collection has doubled, and residents and visitors to the area continue their love affair with the bear statues.
“I knew folks would like our bears, seeing art on the street, learning more about art and artists, participating in the project, meeting the business people and community members who sponsored the bears; but I had no idea how much they would love the project,” noted Jane Stahl, former BASH teacher and co-founder of the project with her husband Paul, marketing consultant and graphic artist.
“Paul figured the community could support the project of 40-60 bears; even he is surprised at how well-received the project has been in the community after all these years,” she continued. “There seems to be no cure for Bear Fever.”
Further information about the project can be found at <www.bearfever.org>.
