Pennridge Gallery of the Arts selects Artist of the Year
When artist Mary-Lynne Moffatt started displaying her works in the Pennridge Gallery of the Arts, it was still known as the Gallery in the Park and was scheduled for Lenape Park, but too often had to be moved inside because of the soggy creekside conditions on gallery day.
Five years ago, the annual art show moved out of the park and onto Main Street, Sellersville.
“I love the format of it being more like a street fair,” Moffatt said.
After having taken a few years break from exhibiting at Gallery of the Arts, Moffatt, a Souderton resident, returned last year.
“She won Best of Show last year and she was definitely a crowd favorite,” said Alyson Nelson, director of marketing and promotions at Sellersville Theater and The Washington House and co-chairwoman of this year’s 44th annual Gallery of the Arts.
As a follow-up to last year’s win, it just made sense for Moffatt to be chosen as this year’s Artist of the Year, Nelson said.
This year’s Pennridge Gallery of the Arts, which features about 75 local artists and craftspeople, will be from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, in downtown Sellersville. North Main Street is closed to automobile traffic during the event.
Moffatt, whose works can be seen at Clay Rat Studio in Souderton, Diving Cat Studio and Gallery in Phoenixville, River Queen Artisans Gallery in Lambertville, N.J., and who was at the recent Philadelphia Folk Festival in Upper Salford, began selling her original folk art paintings more than 20 years ago. Her work was available at the Copper Partridge when it was in Sellersville. In more recent years, she’s moved into whimsical sculptures, using polymer clay that she hand paints and combines with “found” items, such as blocks, spindles, tins, beads, nails and reclaimed wood.
“My sculptures are all one of a kind. There’s no molds. They’re all
hand-made,” Moffatt said.
Moffatt’s artwork, which will include both twodimensional and threedimensional pieces, will be on display at BuxMont Awards, 201 N. Main St., Sellersville, during Gallery of the Arts.
“I think people collect my sculptures because they are like some lost toy or doll they have forgotten about and are now re-connected with. I love when someone laughs out loud when they look at my work. I still spend most of my days drawing and creating and that makes my life full,” Moffatt wrote in an artist’s statement along with biographical information.
Nelson’s participation in Gallery of the Arts began as a young teenager, when she accompanied her parents, who were also involved in the show.
“Last year was the first year I officially was on the committee,” she said. “I handled the entertainment.”
This year’s Gallery of the Arts starts with a ribbon cutting by Sellersville Mayor Thomas Hufnagle at noon.
The awards ceremony will be at 2 p.m.
The day also includes kids’ arts and crafts activities and face painting, provided by Schoolhouse Learning Center; family entertainment including balloon art and magic by Glitz & Glimmer; and a demonstration by Action harate.
Live musical presentations include performances by Skip Denenberg from noon to 1 p.m. outside the Washington House, Celtic Pride from 2 to 3:30 p.m. outside the Washington House and the Dave Cunningham Band from 1 to 2 p.m. and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the clock tower.
Admission to the musical performances and other Gallery of the Arts activities is free. The public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs for the concerts.
For the fifth time, the Gallery of the Arts will also include a walking tour. This year’s walking tour will again highlight the historic Sellersville Cemetery, in which the oldest marked grave dates back to 1823.
The hour-long walking tour begins at 1 p.m. The tours are free, but a $5 donation to the Sellersville Museum is suggested. Preregistration is required for the walk. For more information or to register for the walk, see www.sellersvillemuseum.org or call 215257-5253.
Parking for Gallery of the Arts is available at the firehouse at 2 N. Main St.
Food and beverages are available for purchase throughout the day.
For more information on Gallery of the Arts, see www.galleryofthearts.org or call 215-257-5075.
“The committee’s worked very hard and it’s turning out to be spectacular,” Nelson said, “so I’m excited.”