The Scenes of the Schuylkill Art Show and Competition is a unique and exciting event that captures, through original works of art, the varied aesthetic scenery that characterizes the river corridor.

The show is scheduled to run from September 8-October 27 at the Montgomery County Community College West Campus’ new art gallery, on 16 High St., in Pottstown.

Hosted by the nonprofit Schuylkill River Heritage Area, it features original works depicting scenes from the five-county Heritage Area (Schuylkill, Berks, Montgomery, Chester and Philadelphia). A closing reception will be held on October 27.

Viewers will have the opportunity to discover artists from across the Schuylkill River region and to see artistic renderings of many familiar places.

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area works to promote community revitalization along the river corridor through conservation, education, recreation, historic preservation and tourism. Just as waterfronts often play a crucial role in revitalization efforts, so, too, does the presence of art and the influx of artists.

The exhibit’s purpose is to stimulate an awareness of regional artists. It also strives to foster an appreciation, through art, of the diverse attributes of the river and its communities.

The 37 entries in this year’s show include depictions of historic buildings, such as Fairmount Waterworks and Washington’s Headquarters; as well as paintings of bridges, natural landscapes and urban settings.

The competition is in its fourth year, but this is only the second year all submissions have been publicly displayed. Internationally recognized watercolorist Jim McFarlane, AWS served as the juror of selection and award.

“I love the idea of this show. It has some very nice, strong pieces. And I like the variety of media and the fact that the styles are extremely varied,” said McFarlane.

The winning oil on canvas, “Solitary Egret, Tinicum Marsh,” by Philadelphia artist Charles Cushing, will be produced into signed and numbered limited edition prints and note cards to benefit the Schuylkill River Heritage Area.

The painting depicts a white egret set vividly against the darker, dusk landscape of the marsh, industrial buildings just within sight in the background.

“It is very dramatic and expressive,” noted McFarlane. “It shows the river able to sustain itself and stay constant in spite of industrialization.”

The show contains a wide range of images from along the river, reflecting the fact that “there is so much going on in the Schuylkill River watershed,” said McFarlane. “The different towns are coming back to life and the natural areas are unsurpassable. The river is really drawing people to live there, work there and play there.”

Selected artwork from past competitions include: Montgomery County artist William T. Ternay’s oil painting of Philadelphia’s Columbia Bridge (2005); Julia Longacre’s watercolor of Berks County’s historic Mouns Jones House, (2004); and Berks County artist Linda Henry’s watercolor of the Schuylkill River (2003).

All paintings are available for sale. Proceeds benefit the Schuylkill River Heritage Area, which is sponsoring the show in partnership with Montgomery County Community College, Gallery on High, The Hill School and artist Susannah Hart Thomer

The show runs from September 8-October 27. Hours: M-Th 7:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Fri. 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Closing reception on October 27. For more information contact the SRHA at 484-945-0200 or the Montgomery County Community College West Gallery at 215-619-7349.

For more, visit the Schuylkill Juried Art Show and Competition webpage.

8/25/2006