The Southern Berks News

Emma Ketterer named a Budding Artist; reception set for Sept. 29

- From Dancing Tree Creations Artisans Gallery & Studio PHOTO BY EMMA KETTERER

Dancing Tree Creations Artisans Gallery and Studio is proud to name Emma Ketterer as their next Budding Artist. An opening reception, with light refreshmen­ts and the opportunit­y to meet other local artists, will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2016, from 5pm to 7pm. The Budding Artist Program provides schoolaged 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.

Ketterer, a homebound tutored fourteen-year-old from Kutztown, is the Gallery’s tenth Budding Artist, and her work will be available from October 2016, through December 2016.

From a very young age Ketterer remembers being passionate about art. In preschool she carried a notebook around with her and would spend all her free time drawing the things she saw. During recess, she would sit under the school’s sliding board and study the flowers. As she got older, she was able to express her creativity through her sketches and writing.

On her first day of middle school, Ketterer became very ill and was hospitaliz­ed for nearly a week with what was assumed to be a virus. Over the next two years, her health continued in a downward spiral until she was finally diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease. It was during this time, being homebound and experienci­ng difficulty with her eye/ hand coordinati­on, that she discovered her love of photograph­y.

Ketterer was given her first camera for her twelfth birthday and gradually taught herself how to use it. After hours of practice and tens of thousands of photograph­s, she began selling her photograph­s at local art fairs and a few small gift shops in Berks County. Although challengin­g, her photograph­y gave her a rea--

son to get outside and build up her strength. Her photograph­s remind her that even though these last few years have been a struggle, she has continued to live a full life.

Photograph­y has given her the push she needed to get up each day throughout the grueling process of diagnosis and treatment. She has now begun a slow recovery as the disease is currently in remission. Although once a member of the gifted program at the school she was attending, she is currently tutored at home when she feels healthy enough to fo-

cus and learn.

“I’m eternally grateful to all the people who have helped me achieve my dreams thus far,” Ketterer states, “from my grandmothe­r who first began selling my photos, to my mom who drives me around in the evenings in search of the perfect moment, and everyone who has bought or shared or stopped to look at my photograph­s.”

Ketterer hopes to continue to spread her hope and gratitude even further and

someday travel the world to capture the beautiful moments in life that she cherishes so much.

“We hope you’ll be able to join Emmaat our opening to encourage her further and learn more about this talented budding artist,” said Lyn Camella-Rich, co-owner of Dancing Tree Creations.

For more informatio­n on the Budding Artist Program or to sign up to receive e-invitation­s and e-newsletter­s, visit Dancing Tree Creations Artisans Gallery and Studio’s Facebook page or website, http://dancingtre­ecreations.com.

About Dancing Tree Creations is located at 220 South Reading Avenue (Rte 562), Boyertown, and is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday or by chance or appointmen­t.

 ?? PHOTO BY EMMA KETTERER ?? Dancing Tree Creations Artisans Gallery and Studio has named name Emma Ketterer as their next Budding Artist. Shown here is “Country Scape.”
PHOTO BY EMMA KETTERER Dancing Tree Creations Artisans Gallery and Studio has named name Emma Ketterer as their next Budding Artist. Shown here is “Country Scape.”
 ?? PHOTO BY EMMA KETTERER ?? Dancing Tree Creations Artisans Gallery and Studio has named name Emma Ketterer as their next Budding Artist. Shown here is her photo, “Dove Love.”
PHOTO BY EMMA KETTERER Dancing Tree Creations Artisans Gallery and Studio has named name Emma Ketterer as their next Budding Artist. Shown here is her photo, “Dove Love.”
 ??  ?? Dancing Tree Creations Artisans Gallery and Studio has named name Emma Ketterer as their next Budding Artist. Shown here is “City Scape.”
Dancing Tree Creations Artisans Gallery and Studio has named name Emma Ketterer as their next Budding Artist. Shown here is “City Scape.”
 ?? PHOTO BY EMMA KETTERER ?? Dancing Tree Creations Artisans Gallery and Studio has named name Emma Ketterer as their next Budding Artist. “Running Horse” is one of her photos.
PHOTO BY EMMA KETTERER Dancing Tree Creations Artisans Gallery and Studio has named name Emma Ketterer as their next Budding Artist. “Running Horse” is one of her photos.
 ?? PHOTO BY EMMA KETTERER ?? Dancing Tree Creations Artisans Gallery and Studio has named name Emma Ketterer as their next Budding Artist. Her photograph­y will be on display at the gallery. This cow is featured in one of her photos.
PHOTO BY EMMA KETTERER Dancing Tree Creations Artisans Gallery and Studio has named name Emma Ketterer as their next Budding Artist. Her photograph­y will be on display at the gallery. This cow is featured in one of her photos.

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