The Breakfast with the Arts event helped kickoff the 5th annual Show Some HeART exhibit in The Gallery at the Lower Bucks Campus where local artists set up demonstrations and spoke with the public about their work.
The event attracted Bucks students as well as spectators from the community to check out more than 200 pieces of artwork that lined the walls throughout The Gallery. Students and local artist made up the 106 artists involved.
Joanne Donnelly of the Artists of Bristol was among those demonstrating their craft. Using recycled products such as candy wrappers, plastics, and foreign money, the artist designs unique collages. She called it an “intuitive” form of art.
Members of the Bucks County Illustrators Society (BCIS) were also a part of the event. One member, Ponder Goembel, has 30 years of experience as an illustrator and author.
Goembel has illustrated 14 books and was the author and illustrator of her latest work “Animal Fair.”
“I enjoy taking the words and interpreting them in my illustration,” she said as she flipped through the pages of her book.
Ponder handed out business cards to all aspiring artists interested in possibly attending a BCIS meeting, emboldening them to follow their dreams.
When asked to share his thoughts on the event Leigh Cahill, 30, Business Management major said, “It is great to meet other artists from the area. Each one is so excited to teach their craft and share their experience with the community.”
Biology major Michaela Smith, 20, sat in as a model for a portrait by Margie Milne of the ARTBRIDGE group. Milne said that she has been trying to talk Smith into modeling for her for a while and she finally said yes. Milne generally sketches more, what she called, “dog art”, than people. “I am just happy to get them to sit still,” said Milne.
Throughout the years of her sketching career her artwork has been featured in multiple local shows.
“I feel as though experiences such as this encourages peoples’ creativity and it is an amazing opportunity for the school and the students can openly express themselves through their art with the college’s support. What a way to work together,” said Allison Bartol, 29, criminal justice major.
Artist of Bristol, Rose Marie Strippoli, demonstrated her alcohol ink craft for the crowds. Her detailed descriptions and ability to capture an audience had many gathering around her table. The artist said that she has worked in water media for years, but just within the past six months has delved into ink painting.
Strippoli is currently teaching art classes at a senior center and will be bringing classes to the college in the near future.
The artwork hanging in The Gallery will be available for purchase through March 12. Each piece is priced at $125. The BCCC Foundation’s student scholarship fund will receive $25 from each sale.