VOLUME XXVIII ISSUE 5
THE LEHIGH VALLEY | MAY 2022
ARTYFACTS
SOCIETY OF THE ARTS CONTRIBUTING TO THE EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL,AND SOCIAL LIFE OF LEHIGH VALLEY
Hello Everyone, This is my last Artifacts, One of my favorite quotes by Maya Angelou says, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’’ I wanted to say a special thanks to Val for this opportunity to share the creative side of my brain. I have had such a wonderful experience, and I really have enjoyed getting to know and collaborate with you all. Thank you for all the mini conversations and stories I have learned so much from your wisdom and knowledge. This amazing organization has showed me how much SOTA women rock and I am honored to be a part of this family.
Cheers to you all and forever grateful. Wandra
Wandra Cain ~ Artifacts Editor
In this Issue On the Cover: CELEBRATION President's Letter What's Happening at AAM SOTA Star
SOTA Events SOTA Announcements SOTA Chair Reports SOTA Financial Details
For More information please visit us at www.sotapa.org also follow us on social media facebook and instagram @society_of_the_artslv
PRESIDENT'S LETTER
Valerie Johnson
Happy spring everyone! It seems like spiring has been slow to arrive this year but now it’s here and everythig is blooming! Along with the blooming trees, bushes and flowers, the SOTA Show House has once again bloomed in 2022. The Preview Party, “Petals and Pearls”, that was held on April 29th at the new Hyatt Place in west Allentown was such a great evening! The weather was perfect. The crowd was full of energy and excitement for this signature SOTA event. Mairin Egge and Karen Hittinger along with their committee did a wonderful job planning all of the details. There were champagne flutes draped in pearls, colorful cupcakes and custom designed cookies. The food provided by the Hyatt kitchen was delicious. I even caught a glimpse of Flynn Weintraub, precious daughter of Max and Abby, while touring the house that evening! Putting on a Show House is an enormous amount of work and I would like to thank General Chairs, Jill Stevens and Diane MacConnell as well as all of the Committee Chairs for their willingness to take on the leadership roles and so ably guiding us through the necessary tasks. This project has invigorated and inspired countless volunteers to reengage in the important work that we do to raise awareness and funds for the AAM. It has been such a positive experience to see SOTA members coming together to make this event happen. While managing all of this, our SOTA volunteers still were able to support the Museum with our usualy array of activities, like assisiting families in Artways on Saturdays and Sundays, giving tours, inside and outside the Museum and helping shoppers in the Museum Store find just the right thing. many SOTA members were also on the planning committee for the AAM Gala. Oh, and did I mention that the Fundrasiing Committee is already deep into planning for the next Luncheon with the Authors? The books and authors have been selected and will be announced very soon. The books will all be available for purchase at the May Luncheon on May 18 at the Northampton Country Club. It truly is hard to keep up with all that is going on! That’s why I suggest checking the SOTA website, sotapa.org on a regular basis, reading all of the emails and notices that come to you via email and sometimes US mail. Also reach out to fellow SOTA members if you have a question. I know that everyone on the board is happy to help answer your questions and find the information that you need. We will be installing our new executive board at the upcoming May Luncheon and President-elect Priti Merchant will be announing all of her new board members. I would like to congratulate and thank all of them in advance for agreeing to lead our organiztion for the next two years. I am so grateful for the opportunity of serving on the SOTA Board and for being SOTA President the past two years. It has been one of the most meaningful things I have ever done. I have gotten to know so many wonderful people and have forged lasting friendships. I look forward to enjoying being part of SOTA and enjoying all that our Museum has to offer for years to come!
best always, Val
Allentown Art Museum Visit HOURS & ADMISSION Thursdays 11AM-4PM Adult $12 Fridays 11AM-4PM Senior (60+) $10 Saturdays 11AM-4PM Student $10 Free Sundays 11AM-4PM Children 6 & older $10 Third Thursdays 11AM-8PM Children 5 & under Free Members Free Sunday (all visitors) FreeThird Thursdays (4-8pm) Free RESERVE TIMED TICKET Advance reservations are not required but are recommended. Wearing a mask in the Museum is encouraged. If you are not feeling well, please visit another day. Thank you for doing your part to help protect our community.
Information Wearing a mask in the Museum is encouraged. If you forget to bring a mask, complimentary face masks are available. If you have a fever, any COVID-19 symptom, or possible exposure, please plan your visit for a future date. Please practice social distancing throughout the Museum. We encourage visitors to maintain a safe social distance of six feet or more between groups. All public and office spaces of the Museum have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and will be maintained frequently, with high-touch surfaces being cleaned continuously. Hand sanitizer stations have been established throughout the Museum. Visitor capacity is limited. Reserving timed tickets guarantees a two-hour visit. Walk-ins are welcome as capacity allows. Plexiglass shields have been installed at the front desk, Store, and Café. The cleanliness of our restrooms will be maintained continuously, and frequent hand washing is encouraged. Visitor traffic patterns have been revised to promote safe distancing. Any information needed to assist in complying with these Special Event Procedures, please email or call Stacy Ross HR manager. sross@allentownartmuseum.org 610-515-5601 ext 122 Thank you!
Allentown Art Museum
What's happening at AAM GET YOUR TICKET NOW click this link - http:www.allentownartmuseum.org for more information
Exhibitions Ongoing and Upcoming at AAM
Kate Gilmore’s “With Open Arms” Through July 17 2022
Eclectic Collecting: Curiosities from the Vault February 6 through September 18, 2022
Allentown Art Museum
What's happening at AAM
Writer Lary Bloom will be at the Museum on Saturday, June 25, to talk about LeWitt’s life and career. Bloom is the author of the book Sol LeWitt: A Life of Ideas (Wesleyan University Press, 2019), which draws on the author’s personal recollections of LeWitt as well as LeWitt’s letters and interviews with his friends and colleagues, including Chuck Close, Ingrid Sischy, Philip Glass, Adrian Piper, Jan Dibbets, and Carl Andre. The Dynamic Conversation is free and will begin at 1 p.m. in the auditorium, followed by a book signing at 2 p.m. Seats are available on a first come, first served basis. Masks are encouraged.
Go to the link below for more information and for tickets. https://www.allentownartmuseum .org/arts-crawl/
SOTA STAR
MARCH SOTA STAR Benjamin Franklin once said that "if you want something done, ask a busy person. " That quote applies so well to our March SOTA Star. She is one of the most efficient, organized and busiest people we know. Our SOTA Star's name has become synonymous with SOTA and the AAM for her dedication and support given to both. Her heart and soul are poured into every task she takes on. She sets high standards for herself and for those around her. Challenging us to grow and share our talents with others. Nancy Odorski says, in 2010, when she was a SOTA apprentice on the Show House boutique committee, she had the wonderful opportunity of watching our Star, who was then the Committee Chair, work tirelessly to create a beautiful and very successful boutique. It was a great learning experience for her and a lot of fun! Nancy felt she had made a friend in SOTA. Jill Stevens says our star is always a true professional in everything that she takes on. A devoted and smart individual. Everything she does, turns to gold. Take the Tiffany Windows for example. She brought the idea to the Museum, took officials to see the windows, organized brunches to raise funds for the project and donated money to the cause personally. Our Star has a tireless dedication for things she feels passionate about. This amazing lady is also responsible for starting Luncheon with the Authors. She brought the idea to the SOTA President in 2012, convinced the Board to take a chance on this new fundraiser, organized a committee, worked through all the beginning trials and tribulations, ran the first event in 2013, and set SOTA up for years of financial success. Our Star never missed a beat with her SOTA responsibilities even when she was working full time at the Presbyterian Church. She would be out late at night, driving from meetings in various parts of the state, and show up at a SOTA meeting the next morning ready to contribute. Having served on SOTA’s board for many years, our Star has earned recognition and respect of every President she has served. Our Star has chaired many committees over the years, including VP of General Committees, Fundraising, Curatorial, Admissions, Personnel, Museum Store and Secretary. Our Star is always willing to lend a helping hand. Our Star has now graciously offered her home to be showcased as SOTA’s Show House 2022! Her love and commitment for our organization is evident. She has now earned a new, quieter life in Maine. She will truly be missed by her SOTA friends. But we can guess that she won’t stay quiet for too long and will find something else to shine! Please stand and join me in welcoming and thanking our March SOTA Star, Marsha Heimann. Thank you for your service to SOTA and the Allentown Art Museum.
2022 AAM Gala Dinner and Auction
"SOTA CHAIR'S REPORTS "
"Petals and Pearls" - April 29th
"SOTA CHAIR'S REPORTS "
A fabulous kickoff to our 2022 Show House - Greenleaf
"SOTA CHAIR'S REPORTS " PERSONNEL CHAIR Peggy Herman April/May 2022 Happy spring with beautiful sunny days to come!! As this is my last report as Personnel Chair, I’d like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve in this position over the past two years. It was great to meet many of you over the months, whether in person or on ZOOM. No matter how we did it, connecting with SOTA members during these two challenging years was heartening. Reminder: return your End-of-the-Year Update form and SOTA dues to Jill Weinhold at 6119 Palomino Drive, Allentown 18106 or to me Peggy Herman at 2221 Bishop Road, Allentown 18103. Forms and dues should be returned by June 1. Contact me with any questions at: peggycherman@gmail.com. MEMBER CHANGES/UPDATES: ADDRESS/PHONE/E-MAIL UPDATES & CLARIFICATION: Marsha Heimann 1777 Bristol Road Bristol, ME 04539 Drop land line Cell: 484-201-1218 Email: marsha.heimann@gmail.com Mary Ann Heydt 6303 Kirkland Village Circle Bethlehem, PA 18017 Rita Scheller 3229 Devonshire Way Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 Martha White (info in Yearbook incorrect) 501 White Birch Ct. Pittsburgh, PA 15238 Cell: 484-264-8033 MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY CHANGE: Loran Staehle change to Sustainer RESIGNATION: Lauren Bradley Sonya Siegfried Attendance General Meeting – Zoom March 16, 2022 Active – 33 Professional - 4 Sustainer – 20 Non-Resident - 1 Apprentice – 8 TOTAL MEMBERS - 66 Respectfully submitted, Peggy Herman
"SOTA CHAIR'S REPORTS" FUNDRAISING CHAIR Jill Stevens
Fundraising Though it’s too early to report our profits we know the 2022 Show House was a huge success! The many visitors that came through the house and that came to our special events were in awe! A huge thank you to all of the SOTA members that volunteered their time and talents. Diane and I could not have done this without you and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!! I want to thank Val for her confidence in asking me to be Fundraising chair these past two years . We had to think outside of the box during Covid for new ways to fundraise. Our SOTA members really came together and supported our fundraisers such as the Virtual wine tasting and our Art Raffle during the early part of the pandemic! My biggest thank you goes to my wonderful Show House co-chair Diane Macconnell. I could not have done it without her guidance and friendship! Thank you Diane!
Jill Stevens and Diane MacConnell Show House co-chairs
"SOTA CHAIR'S REPORTS" Boutique In The Alley~ opened on preview night with a check from Robert Bungerz of $1860.00. Donating his time and expertise Mr Bungerz came throughout the set up of the Boutique to help price the “treasure’s”. The check was the result of him selling eight items! Always one text away for other pricing and questions, we want to thank him for his time and expertise given to the Boutique and his friendship with SOTA. The Boutique In The Alley Committee was made up of these very hard working and committed members: Debbie Heeps, Barbara Sharma, Dolores Baker, Molly Faust, Maureen Fernbacher, Mary Ellen Johnson, Susan Krieg, Joan Reyes, Susan Vengrove, Dot Ervin, Maryann Johnson, Andrea Foucek, Cathy Button, Judy Walck. We would also like to give a very special thanks to Debbie Heeps for providing a tent which could stand up against the very high wind a rain we experienced! Sharon and Willy
"SOTA CHAIR'S REPORTS"
Save the Date LUNCHEON WITH THE AUTHORS
Thursday Oct 6th at Lehigh Country Club
Books will be for sale at the May Luncheon. Wine & Words dates are: June 22 July 20 August 17
LWTH Chair Diane Macconnell
"SOTA CHAIR'S REPORTS"
Save the Date LUNCHEON WITH THE AUTHORS
This year, we are excited to announce that we will be featuring the following books and authors: The Magnolia Palace by best-selling historical fiction author, Fiona Davis. A Flicker in the Dark by author Stacy Willingham, a thriller/mystery novel that recently made the New York Times Best-Sellers list. Never Simple: A Memoir by debut author Liz Scheier Books will be sold for $25 each, or you can buy all three as a bundle for $70! We hope that you will purchase your books through SOTA to support our fundraiser. They can be purchased at the May Luncheon, on the SOTA website at sotapa.org or by contacting Sera Duffy at 610-730-4169 or duffcrew@aol.com Also, mark your calendars for our very popular summertime Wine and Words events. Please sign up early, as we try to limit guests to about 15 people. These fun book discussions usually take place outdoors (weather permitting) and are great fun! The schedule is as follows: June 22nd - A Flicker in the Dark at the home of Donna Leibensperger. July 20th - The Magnolia Palace at the home of Laura Polt. August 17th - Never Simple: A Memoir at the home of Lynn Noll
Diane MacConnell and Maryann Dattilio Luncheon with the Authors Co-Chairs
"SOTA CHAIR'S REPORTS" Admissions Diane MacConnell 2021-2022 has been an exciting year for the Admissions Committee. After spending so much time at home, it seemed that many people in the community decided that they were ready to get out there and get involved! We had so many inquiries of people wanting to join SOTA I could barely keep up with the calls and emails! We started out our year in September with an Apprentice/Board Coffee at the museum, which was a wonderful opportunity for Apprentices to get acquainted with one another and with all of our Board Members. In October, we had several informational meetings with Committee Chairs. Since many of our Apprentices work full time and many have young children, we have learned to adapt! Some of our meetings were in person and some were over ZOOM. Some were during the day and some were at night. Some were at lunch meetings and some were over coffee. How ever they were able to do it, all of the Apprentices attended meetings to learn about our various committees and chose the ones that were of interest to them. . In November, we celebrated with a Committee Selection Brunch at Lehigh Country Club. Apprentices were given their committee assignments and then had a chance to interact with their Committee Chairs. All of the guests were then treated to a fun and interactive presentation by local artist Michael Smith. In December, Apprentices participated in a Docent led tour by SOTA’s own Molly Faust and Teri Bartholomew. After the tour they were treated to casual lunch and a chance to socialize with one another and with our Docents. It was a great way to get together and begin the holiday season! We now have a large new group of SOTA Members that are actively involved with their SOTA committees, and I look forward to seeing them continue to blossom within our organization. In addition to serving on their various committees, has been so nice to see so many of them participating in our biggest fundraiser, the SOTA Show House. We are looking forward to celebrating our new Active SOTA Members both at the May Luncheon and at the annual Apprentice/Spouse/Board Party on June 16th which will take place at the home of Donna Serio. I want to thank my committee members, Donna Serio, Joyce Partington, Deb Sanek, and Barbara Sharma for helping with all of our Apprentice Events this past year. It has been my pleasure being on the board as the Admissions Committee Chair for the past two years under Val’s leadership. She has been a constant source of support and encouragement and I truly can’t thank her enough for all that she has done for me and for SOTA!
"SOTA CHAIR'S REPORTS" 2021-2022 FINANCIAL Report Jill Weinhold
31 North Fifth Street Allentown, PA 18101
Celebrate our SOTA Year!
SOTA Annual May Luncheon Wednesday, May 18th Northampton Country Club 11:00am - 2pm
Welcome our newest SOTA members and our 2022-2024 SOTA Board Get a "sneak peek" of the New American Galleries- a special presentation by Elaine Mehalakes