Gwen Farmer named in Budding Artist Program
Reception to be held May 26
Dancing Tree Creations Artisans Gallery & Studio is proud to name Gwen Farmer as their next Budding Artist.
An opening reception, with light refreshments and the opportunity to meet other local artists, will be held during May’s Fourth Friday Boyertown Art Walk occurring Friday, May 26, from 5-8 p.m. The Budding Artist Program provides school-aged artists an opportunity to join over 200 local and national artisans in exhibiting and selling their crafts for a three-month period of time with all proceeds going to the Budding Artist.
Farmer, a senior at Boyertown Area Senior High, is the Gallery’s eleventh Budding Artist; her work will be available through August 2017.
Farmer’s obsession with ceramics started during her sophomore year of high school. She always preferred 3D art over 2D. And although 3D art wasn’t as popular with her peers, she was determined to stand out! She had tried— and failed—to teach herself ceramics in junior high. There were limited options for 3D art classes in high school, but ceramics was an option, so she signed up.
As soon as she touched the clay in Mr. Frunzi’s class, she was hooked. “I love getting messy,” Farmer says, “and the work I made was not only beautiful, but functional. It wouldn’t just sit around and collect dust once it was finished. I created art with which I and others could continually interact. A mug I made in the studio could hold someone’s coffee every morning. I love the idea that pieces I create can become a part of someone’s everyday life.” She is grateful to Mr. Frunzi for inspiring and encouraging her to continue with her art and to become truly dedicated to her craft.
She hasn’t taken any other art classes since junior high because she’s filled her schedule with ceramics classes and can usually be found in the ceramics room. Her time and effort has really paid off this year as she has won first and second place for her wheel-thrown pottery in the 2017 Berks County Intermediate Unit Secondary Art Exhibit at the Goggleworks in Reading, PA.
Farmer anticipates needing her ceramics “fix” even after school is over and plans to enroll in the studio passport program at the Goggleworks. She knows that coming home covered in clay after a day in the studio will be extremely rewarding and provide her a sense of accomplishment.
Next year, through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, she will spend a year in Belgium and is extremely excited to see how this experience will affect her and her art. She has been accepted to Boston University and will begin her studies upon returning from Belgium, majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Ceramics. She is sure that art, and ceramics, will always be a part of her life.
Farmer and Dancing Tree would like to thank Stephanie Stamm, Farmer’s junior high art teacher, for encouraging her to apply to the Budding Artist program. Stamm, who first realized Farmer’s potential, has always encouraged her to do more in class, enter shows and competitions and continues to provide support and encouragement.
“We hope you’ll be able to join Gwen at her reception to encourage her further Dancing Tree Creations’ next and learn more about this talented budding artist,” said Lyn Camella-Rich, co-owner of Dancing Tree Creations. J-Walkers, Relay for Life Boyertown Team, will also be on site selling comfort food during Boyertown’s Fourth Friday Art Walk.