Comcast Presents: the Whitehall Public Library’s 5th Annual Arts and Crafts Show

One could hardly find elsewhere a greater diversity of both artwork and crafts than was represented at the on Sunday. The elegant setting, combined with perfect weather and available refreshments, made this year’s fundraiser for the the place to be on a beautiful weekend afternoon.

While this is the Whitehall Library’s fifth year holding this fundraiser, it is the first year that it received sponsorship from Comcast, the largest cable operator in the United States.

“We were approached by (Whitehall councilman) Phil Lahr and asked if we would like to be involved,” said Mark J. Depretis, director of government and regulatory affairs for Comcast. “We’re always trying to stay involved in the community.”

Several of Whitehall’s elected officials attended the event, including Mayor James F. Nowalk, Lahr and fellow councilman Harold Berkoben.

Lahr presented his own paintings, having been a graphic artist for two psychological research companies before entering politics. On display at his station was a painting depicting children getting cookies out of a mailbox.

“It was commissioned by the (Route 51) ,” Lahr said, indicating the print. “You can see the original there.”

“You may have noticed the paintings in the borough building, too,” Berkoben said. “We’re starting to have quite a collection there.”

Another artist at the show, displaying her watercolor and acrylic paintings, was Amy Schade. Originally a native of Allegheny County, Schade now lives in Reading, near Philadephia. Coming to the show from across the state is no small matter.

“You need a vehicle large enough to transport the artwork,” Schade said, “and the muscle to move everything, which is why I bring my husband.”

Schade’s work is all original designs, stylized modern art and contemporary.

“I don’t do a lot of these shows,” she said, “but this one is so well-organized and for a good cause … I love libraries.”

Some exhibitors, like Vicki Flink of This ’n That jewelry, were recruited to participate in the show by their friends. Flink, of Moundsville, WV, was encouraged to come by her friend and fellow West Virginian Russ Shaffer, of Embossed Engravings. Shaffer has attended the Whitehall show for four years.

Shaffer makes engraved artwork using paper made from plants and says that, while a lot of work, the show provides “a lot of exposure with good people.”

In addition to art friends, family-run craft businesses were represented.

Jane Irwin and her sisters came to the show from . Their business, appropriately named Four Sisters, had on display a variety of crafts from ceramic to textile sewing, jewelry and printmaking.

“We’re sort of a jack of all trades,” Irwin said.

There was also the husband-and-wife team from Pittsburgh Candle Company, run by Bruce and Erin Youngberg out of Monroeville.

“She makes it, and I sell it,” Bruce Youngberg said. “Everything’s highly scented—regular and soy. Our specialty is the soy hand lotion (candle).”

If you were looking for novelty, Sydney Wellman’s Whinestoppers was at the table next to the Youngbergs. One of the many products of Purple Barn Studios in South Fayette, Whinestoppers’ carved polymer heads of celebrities came with a story written by Wellman.

“I just sold my favorite,” Wellman said, sporting purple hair, apropos to her company name. “That was Einstein.”

Credit for the organization of the show belongs to Staci Zemaitis, special events coordinator for the Whitehall Public Library.

“This is the library’s biggest fundraiser,” Zemaitis said. The event helps to fund all of the many programs that the library offers.

See the library’s latest newsletter for details on its events and programs.