Bottlebrush Gallery & Center for the Arts

Please join us in historic Harmony as we proudly host an evening of Art, live music by Sally Zehmisch, and refreshments at the Opening Reception for the Zelienople Art Club.  This very large show will include a variety of never-before displayed paintings by the some of the top artists in Butler County including:

Dee Graham    ~    Jim Hulings   ~      Linda Hynes

Betty Korczynski   ~  May Lutz  ~  Debbie Markich  ~ Janie Springer

These artists are members of the Art group which meets every Monday at the Calvin Church in Zelienople to paint and share their knowledge and experience. New members are welcome!

The Exhibit will be display at the Gallery from April 12-April 29, 2012. Gallery hours are 11am-4pm daily.

RSVP to the Gallery: 724.452.0539 or bottlebrushgallery@yahoo.com

Please join us on Friday, March 23, 7-9pm as we welcome Seneca Valley High School student Audrey Semel’s Exhibit on “Tolerance” to the Bottlebrush! In addition to Audrey’s work on the theme of “Tolerance”, twelve of her peers will present their artwork in response.

Audrey’s Exhibit will be on display at the Gallery from March 23 – April 5, so please stop by if you’re in the area. Support local student art!

About the Artist:

My name is Audrey Semel, and I am a high school senior at Seneca Valley.  I am the drum major for the marching band, was homecoming queen, and play lacrosse for the school’s varsity team.  I am also a representative on Student Council, part of National Honor Society, and a youth leader of Calvin Presbyterian’s youth group.  I have been a Girl Scout since kindergarten, and I am an active member of St. Gregory’s Church. These are all different realms of my life that have helped shape my character as I have grown, but what has truly made me who I am is God and the incredible people He has placed in my life.

My future plans include going to a four-year university in the fall to earn my bachelor’s degree.

The drawings in my first art show are products of a simple theme: tolerance.  I am discouraged when I hear people making judgments of others based solely on their appearances or backgrounds.  Through my drawings, I show how easily we can pass up incredible souls with powerful stories, every day.  Through my recreation of Van Gogh’s  “Starry Night,”  I demonstrate that there is much we don’t know about others.  Paired with my Van Gogh recreation is narrative about Van Gogh’s spirituality, how it affected his work, and how much more there is to him than a man who cut off his ear.

By involving others to make their own art and think about tolerance, I share the concepts of acceptance and understanding with my community, along with the joy of art.  Through this project, I have made something bigger than myself.

New Art from Betsy Hughes and a Save the Date

Our mixed media artist and sculptor Betsy Hughes came to visit us last week, bringing some of her newest work to the Gallery. Wow! Several brightly colored, outdoor paintings you can hang on your porch or patio– incredibly gorgeous colors– and a new 4’ tall “Garden Lady” sculpture in beautiful purple lace… weatherproof, waterproof, and ready to go to her new home in your garden.  Spring will be here before you know it!

Which reminds us… please join us for the annual Harmony Herb and Garden Fair on June 9. Plant vendors, a plant swap, food, live music, and garden-related crafts, all day! Betsy Hughes will be here for our “Meet the Artist” event to talk with you about her garden sculptures and paintings, very cool! In addition, artist and musician Tom Panei from Butler will be doing a “live painting”.  Doug Oster, the “gardening guy”  from KDKA’s Pittsburgh Today Live, will give a talk and sign copies of his new book “Tomatoes Garlic Basil”. More information on Doug’s book here: http://www.dougoster.com/books/   Bring your friends, plants, gardening ideas… we look forward to seeing you on June 9th. Be sure to stop and say hello!

Event Alert: February 14, 6-8pm: Valentine’s Party Benefit for the Butler County Humane Society

Join us for live music by Jack Knight from Pittsburgh, yummy refreshments, door prizes, a silent auction and an art scavenger hunt. Plenty of animal-themed art on display and for sale from regional artists.  BCHS is bringing some of the BCHS dogs and cats who are looking for a new home to meet you. Stop in before or after dinner, or stay the whole time, we are fine with either.  No admission – just bring a toy or food item for the animals. Monetary donations accepted too. 🙂

RSVP requested but not required. 724-452-0539.

Thanks to Bliss Salon and Kerven Subaru in Butler, Stohrhaus Bakery, The Enchanted Olive, The Center of Harmony, and The Harmony Inn in Harmony for their support of this event. Jill Claire is donating one of her fantastic paintings to the silent auction and Nancy Esmus is donating three prints– our artists rock!  Please help us help the animals!

This Friday evening,  January 20, from 7-9:00 will be the Closing Reception for the first Slippery Rock University Art Exhibit.   Under the leadership of Barbara Westman, 23 students are displaying 51 pieces of artwork, ranging from various sculpture media to paintings, drawings to jewelry.  Altered books and sculptures  made from felt and other materials need to be seen to be appreciated! Some of the work is for sale, so if you’re looking for an unusual piece of art as a gift, stop on by and see what’s available for you. Our closing reception Friday is free of charge, with refreshments.  Support student art!

YOU’RE INVITED!

Hard to believe the Bottlebrush will be 3 years old already on October 21! We’re having a music and art get-together to celebrate at the Gallery on Friday evening starting at 6pm. Joe Conti of New Castle will be our featured Third Friday artist, showing his photography. We’ll have some music and snacks. The new Vintage Christmas Shop should be open, fingers crossed for a good weekend to work on it. Come on out and celebrate with us! Bring your friends and a smile. We’re looking forward to seeing you.

NEW HOURS.

More news… we’ve changed our operating hours. Bottlebrush is now open 7 days a week, Monday through Friday, from 11am – 4pm, with extended hours on music and opening event nights and for the holidays. The shop will be open more to accommodate your shopping needs.

YOGA.

Sadly, we will no longer be offering Yoga classes at the Gallery, at least not until spring. We want to do some renovations on the upstairs of our building, so we won’t be keeping that portion of the building heated this winter. 🙁 Cathy and Diana have been awesome instructors for the Bottlebrush Yoga classes, and we appreciate them greatly, as do their students.

NOVEMBER MUSIC EVENTS. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Bottlebrush will be hosting two Harmony in the House Concert events in November. Blues guitar legend Roy Book Binder www.roybookbinder.com will be playing one show only at the Gallery on November 4, 7pm. Admission is $15. BYOB. Please note, RSVP is required– call the shop and reserve your space! Snacks and light refreshments provided. Don’t miss the chance to hear some Piedmont-style guitar picking from the Master Storyteller!

The second House Concert will be Jeff and Vida from Nashville (formerly New Orleans) www.jeffandvida.com/JeffVida/Welcome.html. Jeff and Vida’s nine years of performing and songwriting, have seen them delve into many different genres of music; country, honky-tonk, rockabilly, even a little rock and roll, but bluegrass has remained a key influence in their style and sound. Concert date is November 11, 7pm. Admission is $10 at the door. RSVP required, please email us or call. BYOB. Snacks and light refreshments provided. “Jeff and Vida make music that is real and true. Their’s are the songs you long to hear late at night on the interstate, in pool halls and smoky whiskey bars.” –New York Times Magazine