Paintings, sculptures, and photography—some of it with a keen view of the pandemic and its impact on local artists--will be on display for all the world to see, as Montgomery County Community College plays virtual host to the Pottstown Area Artists Guild annual winter exhibition.

Sixty-seven pieces from 23 area artists will be available to view beginning Dec. 1, 2020 through Feb. 8, 2021. This year’s gallery will be displayed entirely online through the College’s page on the Artsteps platform. The exhibition’s awards ceremony will be held Friday, Dec. 4, from 5-6 p.m. on Zoom.

To view the virtual show, visit PAAG’s website or on MCCC’s website beginning Dec. 1.

This year’s showcase will be juried by artist Barbara J. Zucker, President Emerita of the Philadelphia/Tri State Artists Equity and a former painting and drawing faculty member at Ursinus College. Zucker is also a member of The Philadelphia Water Color Society and The National League of American Pen Women.

Work on display includes landscape paintings and wildlife photography, abstract work, and the inventive wood sculptures by Jack Hanson.  Guild artists have also made use of inventive mixed media, including the vinyl and PVC collages of Trina Poage and Rhonda Counts’s use of bamboo, clover, and other natural materials in her paintings. 

MCCC Galleries Director Patrick Rodgers also noted several specific pieces that are reflections of the times. These include the skeleton-like figures of artist Krysta Bernhardt, which are reminiscent of the Belgian surrealist painter James Ensor, a jigsaw-like abstract painting by Sandy Alves called “The World in Chaos,” and a depiction of the COVID-19 molecule simply titled “2020” by Christina C. Franklin. 

“These artists are responding to what they’re seeing in the world,” said Rodgers. “I hope visitors to the virtual show can find some momentary inspiration and reflect on how to be creative and responsive to what’s going on out there too.”

MCCC first hosted the Guild’s winter exhibition in 2018, which featured a 25-foot radio tower constructed by members Bob Hakun and Charlie Emlen in the MCCC's North Hall Fine Arts Gallery at the Pottstown Campus, said Rodgers.

“It was one of the biggest, and best-attended shows we’ve ever had,” he said, adding he was thrilled the College could once again host the event, even in a virtual setting due to the pandemic. 

Rodgers gave special mention to MCCC alumnus and photographer Owen Jeffers, who also has work in the show and is listed among the Guild’s leadership, and MCCC student Kathy Wince, who serves on the Guild’s board too and has been instrumental in the exhibit planning. 

Members of the community are encouraged to peruse the pieces on display, Rodgers said because they could provide a momentary escape from the headlines of the day.

“I hope people will give the virtual gallery at least 10 minutes of their time,” he said. “I know there’s a lot of competition for virtual experiences, but taking time to explore creative spaces can be inspiring and head-clearing.  This show should be especially thought-provoking for anyone interested in the Pottstown art scene.”