Mid-Atlantic Porcelain Artists Visit Z Gallery

in West Chester will host an art show during first Friday exhibiting the works of the Mid-Atlantic Porcelain Artists.

"It's a special show," said Maxine Tumaian whose work will be featured.  "We only convene twice a year."

Tumaian added, "The theme of the show is plates.  The gallery will be packed wall to wall with hand painted plates."

Z Gallery will host the show in conjunction with downtown West Chester's First Friday on August 5, from 5-9 p.m.

Of the works at the show, Tumaian is most proud of a commemorative plate she did for author L.A. Banks.

"She quit her job when one of her children got sick," said Tumaian.  "She started writing books, vampire books.  She wrote over 42 of them way before 'Twilight.'"

"But the writer's guild insurance wasn't enough," Tumaian said.

After that banks became an activist for health care reform, even introducing President Obama at a rally for his health care bill last year.

Sadly, Banks passed early this week.

"She died the day I put her plate in the window," Tumaian said.  "It was adrenal cancer."