One of the Region's Largest Art Shows Opens in February

More than 100 of the area’s best artists are preparing their works for Art Show 2016 at Malvern Retreat House. This year the juried fine art show will be held from Wednesday, February 3 to Sunday, February 7 and will include a special focus on glass art, along with art forms ranging from painting and photography to jewelry and sculpture.

The show has attracted a number of accomplished glass artists for the special exhibit. Among them is Mirjam Seeger, whose work has appeared in numerous places, including many churches around the country, a prestigious law office and the Union League in Philadelphia. Seeger spent about 20 years creating stained glass art professionally, but she has now branched out into other glass techniques and is bringing a different glass art form to Malvern.

“I have combined the painting and fusing of glass to create art pieces that I don’t see anyone else making,” Seeger said.

She will be joined by other fine artists with decades of experience. Well-known Chester County artist Richard Bollinger began his career in the commercial illustration field where he created drawings for elementary school workbooks and for Ranger Rick magazine. He transitioned into work as a painter, and today his art is represented in more than 125 galleries and at places such as Valley Forge National Park where he made a commemorative painting for the park’s 100th anniversary. Bollinger says about 75% of his work is inspired by scenery in Chester County.

“It is a beautiful county. I don’t have to drive far to work,” Bollinger said.

Scores of other artists will join Bollinger and Seeger at the show, which will include items for people with all different budgets. Returning this year will also be the artist who sold the most pieces at the past two shows. Tom Longacre creates functional stoneware.

“I like that people can afford my work and take something home from the show,” Longacre said.

Overall, more than 2000 fine art pieces will be for sale. The event will include a complimentary wine and cheese social on Thursday, February 4 from 5pm-8pm when attendees can meet the artists. Regular show hours are 10am-7pm on Wednesday through Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday.

The event will be held in the beautiful McShain-Horstmann Family Life Center that can be accessed through Malvern Retreat House’s Entrance B at 315 S. Warren Avenue in Malvern. For more information, visit malvernretreat.com/artshow or call 610-644-0400. All proceeds from the show benefit Malvern Retreat House.