June 13-18, 2022
Congratulations to the 33 artists from six states for dedicating their talents and long days to capturing the character of Berks County on canvas. The effort paid off in the strongest show in the event's 7-year history.
The online gallery displays around 3/4 of the paintings entered in Plein Air and West Reading Paint Out! competitions. The remainder, including several of the award winners, can be seen in person at Art Plus Gallery and neighboring showcases through July 31.
The online gallery displays around 3/4 of the paintings entered in Plein Air and West Reading Paint Out! competitions. The remainder, including several of the award winners, can be seen in person at Art Plus Gallery and neighboring showcases through July 31.
AWARD WINNERS
First place, Best Berks County: Jay Dombach, Market Alley. $1000
First place West Reading: Fred Jackson, Cherry Street. $1000
Second place: Zoungy Kligge, Oley Turnpike Dairy. $700
Third place: Julie Riker, Garden Gate. $400
Honorable Mention: Laura Martínez-Bianco, Reading and Beyond. $200
Honorable Mention: Mateus Costa. Good Morning Reading. $200
Berks History Award: Russell Slocum, Johanna Furnace. $500
Garden Arty Award: Marita Hines, Pond Play. $500
Urban Alleyways Award: Bruno Baran, Pole Dancing. $500
Artists' Choice Award for Best Body of Work: Fred Jackson. $100 Gift Card from Blick Art Materials
People's Choice Award: Melissa Carroll: $100 Gift Card from Blick Art Materials
First place, Best Berks County: Jay Dombach, Market Alley. $1000
First place West Reading: Fred Jackson, Cherry Street. $1000
Second place: Zoungy Kligge, Oley Turnpike Dairy. $700
Third place: Julie Riker, Garden Gate. $400
Honorable Mention: Laura Martínez-Bianco, Reading and Beyond. $200
Honorable Mention: Mateus Costa. Good Morning Reading. $200
Berks History Award: Russell Slocum, Johanna Furnace. $500
Garden Arty Award: Marita Hines, Pond Play. $500
Urban Alleyways Award: Bruno Baran, Pole Dancing. $500
Artists' Choice Award for Best Body of Work: Fred Jackson. $100 Gift Card from Blick Art Materials
People's Choice Award: Melissa Carroll: $100 Gift Card from Blick Art Materials

VALERIE CRAIG, JUROR
Since leaving her career in nursing administration in 1998 to pursue her passion for painting full-time, Valerie Craig has earned national recognition as an artist. Valerie is most inspired by painting from life. She challenges herself to explore a variety of subject matter and teaches workshops in Ireland and throughout the USA.
Valerie has juried numerous plein air competitions. She is a Signature Member of the American Impressionist Society and Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association. Her recent achievements include Best of Show, American Impressionist Society National Small Works Show 2021; Award of Excellence, National Oil and Acrylic Best of America 2021; Judge's Award, Olmsted Plein Air 2020; Second Place, National Plein Air Salon; Artists Choice, Ireland's Art in the Open 2017; Gold/Mayor's Choice Award, Ireland's 2013 Art in the Open; Grand Prize American Women Online Juried Competition; Best in Show, Wayne Plein Air 2011; Second Place, Plein Air Easton 2011, Artists' Choice Award, Plein Air Easton 2010.
Valerie lives in Villanova, Pennsylvania. For more about Valerie and her artwork, visit.www.valeriecraig.com.
Since leaving her career in nursing administration in 1998 to pursue her passion for painting full-time, Valerie Craig has earned national recognition as an artist. Valerie is most inspired by painting from life. She challenges herself to explore a variety of subject matter and teaches workshops in Ireland and throughout the USA.
Valerie has juried numerous plein air competitions. She is a Signature Member of the American Impressionist Society and Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association. Her recent achievements include Best of Show, American Impressionist Society National Small Works Show 2021; Award of Excellence, National Oil and Acrylic Best of America 2021; Judge's Award, Olmsted Plein Air 2020; Second Place, National Plein Air Salon; Artists Choice, Ireland's Art in the Open 2017; Gold/Mayor's Choice Award, Ireland's 2013 Art in the Open; Grand Prize American Women Online Juried Competition; Best in Show, Wayne Plein Air 2011; Second Place, Plein Air Easton 2011, Artists' Choice Award, Plein Air Easton 2010.
Valerie lives in Villanova, Pennsylvania. For more about Valerie and her artwork, visit.www.valeriecraig.com.