Yellow Springs Art Show tops a very busy last weekend in April
By Denny Dyroff, Correspondent, The Times
The Yellow Springs Art Show, an annual rite of spring event for art lovers, showcases the work of artists from all over the East Coast and several foreign countries.
The event also features the work of a number of artists from the southern and southwestern parts of Chester County, including Landenberg’s Kathy Ruck, Atglen’s Sudsan Bankey Yoder, Romansville’s Morris Cook and Doris Davis-Glackin, who lives and works on a portion of the Brandywine Battlefield.
The Yellow Springs Art Show had a humble beginning and, over the years, has become of the most prestigious — and largest — annual art shows in the Delaware Valley. It began in 1973 as a free event featuring a variety of artists displaying their work on clotheslines.
It has changed considerably since then and has evolved into one of the largest and most prestigious annual art shows in the Delaware Valley. The art show, which is still free and open to the public, is celebrating its 41st anniversary this year.
The eagerly-anticipated spring event, which now features over 175 participating artists, will run from April 26 through May 11 in Historic Yellow Springs (Art School Road in Chester Springs, 610- 827-7414, www.yellowsprings.org). Show hours are from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Fridays.
Artists are exhibiting paintings, sculpture, drawings and graphics in a comfortable space inside Historic Yellow Springs’ Lincoln Building (Art School Road in Chester Springs, 610- 827-7414, www.yellowsprings.org). The exhibition features artistic creations in a diverse assortment of styles — from classic to abstract.
One of the show’s most popular social events — the “Opening Gala Reception” — will be held on April 25 from 7-10 p.m. in the Lincoln Building. Another special event is scheduled for this April 26. From noon-3 p.m., Art Show artist Helena van Emmerik-Finn will be sketching children’s portraits on the Lincoln Building’s front porch. There $5 suggested donation per portrait and availability is first come, first serve.
“This is my third year to do this show,” said Glenmoore artist Christina Oddo, who specializes in pastels. “I visited the show at least 10 years in a row before I first exhibited here. I knew that one day I would be in this show.
“Exhibiting at this show is more for the experience than anything else — to be showing your work along with other artists you’ve been coming to see. Making art has been a driving force all my life. Being in a show like this makes you strive to get better.”
Another popular area springtime event will be held on April 26 not far from Oddo’s home when Chester County Parks’ Springton Manor Farm (860 Springton Road, Glenmoore, 610-942-2450, www.chesco.org/ccparks) presents its annual “Sheep and Wool Day” from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sheep shearing will be the featured event along with the Mobile Ag Science Lab, farm animals, the Ag Museum, a live performance by Free Range Band, a special exhibit by Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary, craft and food vendors, equipment displays, colonial games and toys, artisan displays, wagon rides and a plant sale.
Animals will also be the featured attraction at the Chester County SPCA’s 27th Annual Walk for Paws, which is scheduled for April 27 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Hibernia County Park (1 Park Road, Coatesville, 610-692-6113, www.ccspca.org).
The Walk for Paws is one of the Chester County SPCA’s most important fund-raising events. All proceeds benefit animals, programs and services at the Chester County SPCA.
Because fund-raising is the goal, the organizers encourage everyone to gather pledges for those who participate in the walk ($25, adults; $10, children).
Special attractions include face painting, games, live music, informational tables from animal-related organizations, a “Pooch Play” area, low-cost microchipping, free nail trims, a “Human-Animal Bond” contest, adoptable animals, dog training and agility demonstrations, custom caricatures, “Puppy Kissing Booth” with CCSPCA adoptables and canine contests with prizes for best dressed, owner/dog look alike, best trick and more.
Another popular local event on tap for this weekend in the 10th Annual West Chester “Short” International Film Festival (484-639-9237,www.westchesterfilmfestival.com) which runs from April 25-27 at a variety of locations around downtown West Chester.
The West Chester Film Festival will feature works in a variety of film genres, including comedy, documentary, experimental/art, animation and drama. They will all be short films — up to 30 minutes in length — submitted by independent filmmakers from around the world. Submissions are juried by a panel of industry professionals and winners chosen according to content, innovation and technical execution.
