West Chester’s Holly Silverthorne Inspires at Local Show Featuring Disabled Artists

All About Art at MossRehab (Elkins Park), the annual international juried exhibition and sale of art and fine crafts by artists with disabilities, opened on May 1 and will run until July 1.  This free and open to the public exhibition features the creative work of West Chester’s own Holly Silverthorne. Holly’s perseverance of her artistic passion while suffering from a degenerative progressive spinal condition is an inspiration.

Holly Silverthorne believes she is still living the creative life she began at Bennington College where she earned a degree in sculpture. She has received awards from organizations throughout Pennsylvania and New York City and has a Certificate in Sculpture from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. She has taught sculpture at the Baldwin, Shipley and the Kimberton Waldorf schools and currently teaches sculpture at the Chester County Art Association.  Silverthorne suffers from a degenerative progressive spinal condition that is causing numbness in her hands, arthritis, Carpal Tunnel in both hands and Valgus knee and uses a motorized chair and walker to get around. Not discouraged at age 86, Silverthorne is still focused on the standards of good art in creating her sculpture even though it is becoming increasing difficult. Her works are primarily portraiture and animal sculpture but include pastel and watercolor landscapes.

The exhibition showcases works by 86 artists and fine craft artisans, 26 of whom are new this year. In addition to local artists, there are exhibitors from throughout the United States, Canada and India. Mediums include oil and watercolor painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, needlepoint and jewelry.  Prices range from $24 to $3,000, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Voices of MossRehab Aphasia Center (VOMAC).

MossRehab at Einstein at Elkins Park, 60 East Township Line Road, is the site of All About Art.  The show runs from May 1 through July 1 when it is free and open to the public daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  For more information or to schedule a group tour, call 215.663.6100.