Studio B: Call for Visual & Writing Entries— My Favorite Things: Beauties Are Joys Forever.

Call for Entries: Studio B in Boyertown, Berks County, Pennsylvania, is seeking poetry, prose, and art in any medium for a themed exhibit and book release entitled “My Favorite Things: Beauties Are Joys Forever.”

My Favorite Things: Whether your favorite things are “raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles, and warm woolen mittens” or, like me, the freedom I feel unleashing the “contraptions” that we impose on ourselves or the sound of my sump pump during a flash flood, we all have people, places or things that bring us relief, joy, serenity. Let us focus on those beauties in our lives to strengthen our resilience and resolve as we survive the challenges life offers.

Writers:

Tell your story(s)—in poetry or prose—recalling a trying moment(s) that turned into one of pleasure inspired by something you love or find beautiful. Please submit 1-2 pieces of poetry or prose for Studio B’s 8th book of poetry and prose: by Monday, March 1, 2021 (This date may change at gallery director’s discretion.) Please send Word docx to janeEstahl@comcast.net. Include a 2-3 sentence bio along with your submissions. A book release will be held at the opening of the art exhibit (in-person and/or virtual TBD). Date: TBD. Visit www.studiobbb.org or Studio B Art Gallery on Facebook for updates and further details.

Artists:

Show us what you love or find beautiful! To be considered for inclusion in our 8th book of poetry and prose, submit an image by Monday, March 1, 2021. In-take of 2 pieces of art for the exhibit at Studio B is planned for Tuesday, June 8, 2021, with an OPENING (in-person and/or virtual TBD). The exhibit is planned through September 12, 2021. (Studio B, 39A E Philadelphia Avenue, Boyertown, PA.) Visit www.studiobbb.org or Studio B Art Gallery on Facebook for updates and further details. (Details may change at gallery director’s discretion.)

Standards and Media: Entries must be original and never before exhibited at Studio B. Artwork must be framed, wires, and ready to hang. Gallery-wrapped canvas is accepted as a frame. No staples or tape showing. Studio B reserves the right to reject any work without question.

Sales and Terms: All items exhibited must be offered for sale. Registration fee: $35 for up to 2 entries for nonmembers; $25 for Studio B members; commission to Studio B of 35% of sales (added 5% for credit card sales). Studio B reserves the right to refuse inappropriate content, but all submissions are generally accepted into the exhibit. Entry fee is waived for artists whose work has been chosen for the book. If an entry sells, you will be contacted by e-mail and a check will follow after the close of the show. All artwork is left at the artist’s risk. Studio B and its associates are not responsible for theft or damage to artwork. Awards will be announced at the opening @6:30 p.m. Contact Susan Biebuyck with questions or to submit images of artwork for the book: 484-332-2757, suebie@ptd.net.

— Jane Stahl, Community Relations Director of Studio B
(For any initial writing submission questions, please email Jane.)

Edit: Studio B now has this information on its website as well on its Calls to Artist & Writers page.

Join Cat Mahony at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts November 1st, 2018

Berks Bards is excited to welcome Cat Mahony! Join us at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts to hear selected poetry. Following her reading, we'll allow ANYONE to step up to the mic and read anything that moves them.

When: November 1st, 2018 at 6 pm
Where: GoggleWorks Center for the Arts Studio 420
201 Washington Street Reading PA 19601

Learn more about Cat Mahony before our event by reading more below:

Catherine Mahony, a writer of multiple genres, holds a Bachelor’s degree in professional writing from Kutztown University, and Associate’s degrees in communications and liberal arts from Reading Area Community College. Mahony is the winner of RACC’s Creative Writing Award for academic excellence for 2013 and 2014; her first chap book, Prior Restraints, was published that same year. You can also read Mahony’s award-winning poetry and fiction in “Lehigh Valley Vanguard” Agony and Ecstasy:Reflections of our Lives” Layers of Language” “Legacy” and “Shoofly.” Her creative nonfiction has been published in “Rag Queen Periodical.” Mahony has facilitated creative writing workshops in Studio B, Boyertown PA; Pagoda Writer’s Workshop; Reading, PA; Caron Treatment Center, Wernersville, PA; and Berks County Prison, Leesport, PA. She is currently establishing her creative writing program, Ebonybloodletting76, which brings creative writing lessons with a therapeutic twist to the under-served community. Mahony believes writing saved her life. She was diagnosed with Bipolar as well as Borderline Personality Disorder by the age of 16, and is a recovering heroin addict. By exposing her vulnerabilities through brutally honest writing, Mahony hopes she can help others who also may be struggling. She currently lives in Eastern, PA. With her son Alex.
Visit https://cmaho582.wixsite.com/ebonybloodletting76/blog/ to learn more!

Below is a sample of Cat Mahony's poetry:

Sewn Shut

By Cat Mahony
Such a familiar face,
Lips and eyes sewn shut.
Such familiar hands,
Crossed politely over a still chest.
Her skin
as taut as an African drum.
Her dress
something she would not be caught dead in.
She is silenced.
She is flawless.
She is beautiful.
The viewers can’t see from my vantage point.
My back pressed against ceiling tile.
My hair entwined in lighting fixtures.
Their words echo in her mind,
Words like;
Lost, hopeless, and tragedy.
Such a familiar face.
Lips quivering and eyes kaleidoscopes of tears.
Such familiar hands,
Fidgeting nervously in pockets.
Her skin
As white as a water lily.
Her dress
Something she would not be caught dead in.
She is silent.
She is innocent.
She is a mirror.
The viewers can’t see from her vantage point.
Her back to the wall as medics hurried in.
Her hair matted to wet cheeks.
Words echo in her mind,
Words like;
Orphan, motherless, and tragedy.