“Death By Petticoat” Lectures To Open New Exhibit At Pottsgrove Manor

Pottstown, PA – On Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 10:00am and 12:00pm, historic Pottsgrove Manor will host Mary Miley Theobald for her lecture, “Death by Petticoat: American History Myths Debunked.”

Theobald is a Virginia-based author and historian who holds a BA and MA in history from the College of William and Mary and taught American history and museum studies at Virginia Commonwealth University for thirteen years. The author of numerous magazine articles, ten nonfiction books, a mystery series, and four podcasts, Theobald also runs the “History Myths Debunked” blog. In her lecture at Pottsgrove Manor, Theobald will speak about common American history myths, including several pertaining to the clothing worn by Americans’ ancestors. Theobald will also be signing copies of her book, “Death by Petticoat,” which will be for sale at the site.

The 12:00pm session will be a repeat of the 10:00am session. Seating for each session is limited. Please call the site at 610-326-4014 to make reservations. There is a $2.00 per person suggested donation for this event.

This program kicks off a new exhibit at Pottsgrove Manor, entitled, “To the Manor Worn: Clothing the Eighteenth-Century Household.” To modern sensibilities, the clothing people wore in the past can seem strange, uncomfortable, or even unhealthy. This exhibit will give visitors a better understanding of clothing and fashion in colonial America, through displays of reproduction clothing as well as a number of original pieces, including items on loan from the collections of Cliveden, Stenton, Wyck House, the Landis Valley Museum, and the Chester County Historical Society. Not only will the exhibit showcase mid-eighteenth century fashion, it will also place what people wore in a broader historical context. How were clothes made, and who made them? What materials were used, and where did they come from? Who wore what, and why? The exhibit will be open through November 2, 2014 and can be viewed on a guided tour of Pottsgrove Manor during regular museum hours.

Pottsgrove Manor is located at 100 West King Street near the intersection of King Street and Route 100, just off Route 422, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Pottsgrove Manor is operated by Montgomery County under the direction of the Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites Division of the Assets and Infrastructure Department. Regular museum hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Tours are given on the hour. The last tour of the day begins at 3:00pm. The site is closed Mondays and holidays. Groups of ten or more should preregister by calling 610-326-4014. For more information, please call 610-326-4014, or visit the website at www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor. Like Pottsgrove Manor on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pottsgrovemanor.

Lehigh Valley Arts Council Hosts New York City Bus Trip To The Fashion Institute of Technology To Tour “Elegance In An Age Of Crisis: Fashions Of The 1930s” Exhibition With Co-Curator G. Bruce Boyer

Allentown, PA – The Lehigh Valley Arts Council has arranged for a bus trip to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City on March 1, 2014 to attend the exhibition, “Elegance in an Age of Crisis: Fashions of the 1930’s.” Lehigh Valley native and co-curator G. Bruce Boyer will accompany the group and give a tour.

The bus will depart from the Butz Corporate Center (840 Hamilton Street, Allentown Pa 18101) at 8:15 a.m. and leave New York City at 3:15 p.m. Attendees will have plenty of time for lunch and shopping in the fabric district after the museum tour. Please note: Parking available at the garage behind the Holiday Inn; there is no public parking in the Butz lot. Seating is limited, purchase your tickets today!

Mr. Boyer has lived most of his life in Bethlehem, having graduated from Moravian College and attended Lehigh University’s graduate program. For more than thirty-five years, Boyer has been a dynamo in the fashion media; internationally recognized for his featured articles in The New Yorker, Town and Country, L’Uomo Vogue among many others. He has written several books on fashion history and has also appeared on national TV, National Public Radio, and as a commentator on the TV documentary series, The Hollywood Fashion Machine.

His current exhibition, “Elegance in an Age of Crisis”, February 8 to April 19, 2014, was organized by Patricia Mears, deputy director at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and co-curated by Boyer. The best of both men’s and women’s fashion from the 1930’s are represented among the eighty outfits and thirty accessories from the finest dressmakers and men’s clothiers. Attendance is limited and reservations are required. Click here to purchase tickets!

For more information:
Call: 610-437-5915.
Email: James Ravelle / operations@LVArtsCouncil.org
Web: http://www.lvartscouncil.org/Arts%20Alive/

Location: Butz Corporate Center (Lot in Rear of Building)
Date / Time: Saturday March 1, 2014 / 8:15 am – 5:45 p.m.
Fee: $50 for Arts Council Members, $65 for Non-Members
Attendance: Reservations are required. Tickets can be purchased online
Tickets: http://www.etix.com/ticket/online/performanceSearch.jsp?performance_id=1795582&cobrand=lvartsboxoffice

Curating Fashion, Featuring G. Bruce Boyer, At Moravian College In Bethlehem

Lehigh Valley Arts Council Presents Fashion Writer, Editor, And Exhibition Curator G. Bruce Boyer

The Lehigh Valley Arts Council is pleased to present the first program in the Arts Alive 2014 series, titled Curating Fashion, on Saturday, January 18, 2014, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the Payne Gallery, Church & Main Sts. Bethlehem PA 18018, Moravian College. The event features noted men s fashion writer and editor G. Bruce Boyer, who will speak about his career in fashion and his upcoming exhibition, Elegance in an Age of Crisis: Fashions of the 1930’s, at the Museum at The Fashion Institute of Technology from February 8-April 19, 2014.

G. Bruce Boyer has lived most of his life in Bethlehem an alumna of Moravian College, he went on to do graduate work at Lehigh University and taught literature for eight years at Moravian and DeSales University.

“The Lehigh Valley is fortunate to be home to so many artists whose work is respected around the world,” says Arts Council executive director Randall Forte.

For more than thirty-five years, Boyer has been a dynamo in the fashion media; internationally recognized for his articles in Esquire, The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, Forbes, among others. He was the men s fashion editor for Town and Country magazine for fifteen years and currently serves as their Consulting and Contributing Editor. Boyer has written several books on men s fashion history; one of his most recent, Gary Cooper: Enduring Style (PowerHouse Books, 2011) was co-authored with Gary Cooper s daughter Maria Cooper Janis. His extensive knowledge of the fashion industry has led him to image consulting and public relations for clothing manufacturers and retailers from Ralph Lauren to Bergdorf Goodman. He has also appeared on national TV, National Public Radio, and as a commentator on the TV documentary series, The Hollywood Fashion Machine.

His current exhibition, Elegance in an Age of Crisis, was organized by Patricia Mears, deputy director at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and co-curated by Boyer. They have written an accompanying book that provides a historical overview, examining how the Great Depression and political upheaval influenced the restrained style of the era. The best of both men’s and women’s fashion from the 1930’s are represented among the eighty outfits and thirty accessories from the finest dressmakers and men’s clothiers.

The exhibit examines the beginnings of modern fashion when cutting-edge technology meets fine hand-craftsmanship. Tailors and dressmakers were inspired by classicism to experiment with new techniques, creating designs that highlighted movement, proportions and the classically idealized body. The 1930’s glamorous new look spread internationally and revolutionized the fashion industry.

Arts Alive 2014 is a three-event series designed by the Lehigh Valley Arts Council for members and their friends who are eager to rub shoulder with the creative process. The fee for each session is $10 for members; $15 for nonmembers. Attendance is limited and reservations are required. Tickets are available at www.LVartsBoxOffice.org.  For further information, contact 610-437-5915.

FIT Elegance in an Age of Crisis: Fashions of the 1930s Web Link:

www.fitnyc.edu/21807.asp<http://www.fitnyc.edu/21807.asp><http://www.fitnyc.edu/21807.asp

FIT Elegance in an Age of Crisis: Fashions of the 1930s Web Link:  www.fitnyc.edu/21807.asp

G. Bruce Boyer Interview:  www.ivy-style.com/bruce-almighty.html

ArtFusion 19464 Gets Jazzy For A Good Cause‏

musician.jpg painting by Destiny Garcia, Teen Studio student

Pottstown,PA – ArtFusion’s seventh annual Fashion Plates fundraiser will take place on Saturday, April 20 at Brookside Country Club from 6-9pm.  This year’s theme is Fashion Notes, and the event will be an amazing fusion of food, fashion and music.

ArtFusion 19464, formerly The Gallery School of Pottstown/Gallery on High, is a charitable 501(c)3 non-profit community art center. Proceeds from this event help them not only to continue to offer a great selection of classes for all ages, but also to expand their free programs and scholarships.  ArtFusion has been bringing the arts to the greater Pottstown community for almost 8 years, and relies on major fundraisers like Fashion Plates to help keep their doors open.  Generous community sponsors of this event include: Heartland Abstract, S&H Interiorscapes, Dolan & Mayerson, PC and Genesis Housing.

Jazz musician Adam Price and his band will perform musical hits from the 1920s, 30s and 40s. Guests will experience a dynamic, multimedia fashion event with local student models wearing vintage costumes from several jazz eras.  The models will walk to the accompaniment of Adam’s jazz quartet performing musical hits from each era.  Visit his website to hear some of Adam’s musical talents: www.adampricemusic.com.

The event’s silent auction is based on the idea of Edible Art, with local bakers, confectioners and chefs creating mouthwatering items for guests to bid on, as well as locally crafted beer and wine. Among those donating their culinary talents are: Bause Catering, Montesano Bros., Sand Castle Winery, Stone Keep Meadery, Giant, Bridge Street Chocolates, The Baker’s Touch and many more.

Tickets are $70 each, or two for $120.  Guests will enjoy a delicious dinner and yummy dessert, a chance to win fun door prizes, an evening of live music and fashion.  A cash bar will be available. Tickets can be purchased online at artfusion19464.org, over the phone at 610-326-2506 or in person at 254 E. High St.

ArtFusion 19464 offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages.  The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists.  The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

Pottstown High School Grad Competing To Be Miss Pennsylvania

If Pottstown High School and Ursinus College alum Samantha Marcheskie has her way, we may soon be addressing her as “Miss Pennsylvania.”

If things go very well, she might even carry the title of “Miss USA” or “Miss Universe.”

“That is my goal,” said the 2007 PHS graduate during a recent interview.

This is only Marcheskie’s third pageant, having given it a try when she was 13 and again in 2004 when she competed for Miss Teen USA.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20121019/NEWS01/121019264/phs-grad-competing-to-be-miss-pennsylvania-&pager=full_story