MCCC to Host The Guild of Papermakers' ‘Paper Sojourn' Exhibition

The Guild of Papermakers will share its members’ handmade paper masterworks during the art exhibition “Paper Sojourn,” which opens Wednesday, Oct. 30, and will continue through Friday, Dec. 13, at Montgomery County Community College’s Fine Arts Gallery, North Hall, 16 High Street, Pottstown.

Join us for a special “Meet the Artists” reception on Sunday, Nov. 10, 1-3 p.m., when you can meet and talk to more than 35 artist/members of The Guild about the process of creating and using handmade paper for artwork. Both the exhibit and the reception are free and open to the community.

Since The Guild was founded in 1991, its members use paper as a vehicle to explore many outcomes. Some of the mediums are printmaking, mixed media collage and sculpture. Paper is the foundation for each piece of artwork created by the talented, versatile artists of The Guild. For more information about The Guild of Papermakers, visit their website at www.guildofpapermakers.com.

The “Paper Sojourn” exhibit features the artwork of Jeanne Petrosky, Betsy Miraglia, Carol Wisker, Robyn Burckhardt, Joan Kopchik, Linda McNeil, Toni Gorkin, Andrea Snyder, Winnie Radolan, Zan Klain, Sue Calkins, Chris Ripnak, Laura Ramos, Bobbie Adams, Gail Vinikoor, Marlene Adler, Jane Mihalick, Judy Tobie, Joy Ozer, Pat Feeney, Arlene Gitomer, Georgette Veeder, Signe Sundberg-Hall, Mary Tasillo, Debbie Pey, Barbara Bradley, Nathalie Borozny, Lisa Hamilton, Erin Tohill Robin, Caren Friedman, Rhea Dennis, Francis Crum, Rona Richter, Neila Kun, Holly Harper, Carole Cole, Cindy Strunk, Tom Bennick, Renagai Jawer, Cynthia Heller, and Kathleen Metaxas.

Guild member Robyn Burckhardt serves as the curator of this unique exhibit. As a weaver and fiber artist since 1973, Burckhardt finds that papermaking fills the textural qualities she seeks in all her work. Paper, she says, is used to emulate other materials--a mimicry of sorts.

“I personally am very proud to be a member of The Guild of Papermakers. Since the beginning in 1991, we exhibit annually, host workshops and classes, disseminate valuable awareness of paper as an art form and simply support each other in our chosen passion of making paper by hand,” Burckhardt said. “Visitors will be amazed to discover that no two artists use the handmade paper the same way. Many thanks to Montgomery County Community College for allowing us to share our work with the community.”

Burckhardt is a professional artist/teacher and team builder with a BS in Art Education from Kutztown University and Graduate Studies at the University of the Arts. She retired from Spring-Ford Area School District in 2007 to promote Art’s Alive!—a collaboration of artists and communities, as well as to work more in her studio in Chester County.

The hours for the gallery are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed weekends, except for the artists’ reception. For more information, contact MCCC Galleries Director Holly Cairns at 215-619-7349 or hcairns@mc3.edu.

You can help support the arts and art education programs at Montgomery County Community College by becoming a Friend of The Galleries. Donations are tax deductible. For more information, contact the College Foundation at 215-641-6535. Follow Montgomery County Community College’s arts on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DestinationArts.