Honors and Awards at Phillips’ Mill Art Show
“MOMENT OF LIGHT”: The Crystal Springs Farm Award for a Work in the Style of the Pennsylvania Impressionists was given by Kathy and Ted Fernberger to Dot Bunn for her painting in the 2023 “Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill.” This year’s show begins on September 21.
Honors and awards have been a component of the annual “Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill” for decades, recognizing some of the finest work by area artists, as well as honoring people important to the Phillips’ Mill Community Association and its patrons. This year’s show, the “95th Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill,” will be held at the historic Mill and online September 21 through October 27, and will feature a wide variety of awards. Art lovers interested in establishing new awards for this year’s show can do so now through August 25.
In addition to an Honored Artist and Signature Image artist, who are selected by the art show committee, a full roster of awards for works juried into the show are bestowed each year. Which works will receive these awards is determined by the art show’s panel of jurors and are funded by patrons of the show, individuals, businesses, and sometimes families who enjoy supporting the Mill, the show, and the artists in this unique way.
Last year, 20 awards totaling $12,000 were presented at the opening preview reception for patrons and artists, a festive event held annually the evening before the show opens to the public. Three Patrons’ Awards of $1,000 each are presented: one for painting; another for drawing, pastel or printmaking; and a third for sculpture. These are financed by the contributors who answer the fundraising call for support of this historic art exhibition each year. An additional Phillips’ Mill Community Association sculpture award is financed by the Mill Board of Directors.
The balance of the awards — some long running, others changing year to year — are funded by individuals interested in sponsoring a named award. Diana and Jim Resek, longtime members, have funded the award for an Interior Scene since 2014. Diana Resek was art show co-chair in 2010 and 2011. Kathy and Ted Fernberger, also longtime members and Mill supporters, have sponsored the Crystal Springs Farm Award for numerous years “to recognize someone whose work is in the vein of the Pennsylvania Impressionists,” said Kathy Fernberger. Mary and Herbert Flamer introduced a new award in 2021 and continue to support it, now named the African American Art Award for a work depicting African American life, history, and/or culture. Mary Flamer served as art show chair in 2022 and 2023.
Named awards are established with a minimum donation of $500 in consultation with the art committee. Last year, a group of Lumberville residents sponsored an award In Memory of Bill Tinsman who passed away in August. The award was for “an image that captured the beauty of the area he sought to preserve” given by the Lumberville Founder’s Day Committee.
Memorial awards, of which there are several, are a meaningful way to honor someone special while supporting the historic juried art show. Supporting a particular subject matter or style of artwork –– painting, drawing, watercolor, portraiture, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, etc. –– allows patrons to celebrate and encourage the type of work to which they are drawn.
Anyone interested in establishing an award and contributing to an artist’s sense of accomplishment at this year’s “95th Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill” should contact Dennis Riley, art show chair, by August 25 at artshow@phillipsmill.org.
Phillips’ Mill Community Association is at 2619 River Road in New Hope, Pa. For more information, call (215) 862-0582 or visit phillipsmill.org.