Greshville Antiques and Fine Art - READING-BERKS GUILD JURIED SPRING CRAFTS FESTIVAL

READING-BERKS GUILD ADDS ANTIQUE APPRAISALS
TO ITS ANNUAL JURIED SPRING CRAFTS FESTIVAL

Recognized authorities Valerie and Kurt Malmberg, Greshville Antiques, Appearing March 26 and 27 Reading, PA—Jan. 27, 2011—Antique experts Valerie and Kurt Malmberg, Greshville Antiques, Boyertown, Pa., will offer verbal appraisals—a new feature for the Reading-Berks Guild's 9th Annual Juried Spring Fine Arts and Craft Festival (www.rbcrafts.org) in Keystone Hall, Kutztown University, Kutztown, Pa., on Saturday, March 26 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday, March 27, 2011 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Valerie Malmberg will be available from 1 to 4 p.m. on both days, while her husband, Kurt, will join her on Sunday. The cost is $5 per item; larger items can be evaluated from good photos. Only verbal appraisals will be offered and all appraisal fees will be donated to the Guild's educational and scholarship programs.

The highly popular Mid-Atlantic craft show is presented in partnership with the Pennsylvania German Scholarship Studies, the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center in Kutztown and the university, whose art students also will exhibit their work at the show. Visitors will be able to see and purchase a diverse selection of quality handcrafted traditional and contemporary work from nearly 100 craftsmen.

Reading-Berks Guild President Barry Bennecoff said the Guild is honored to have Valerie and Kurt donate their time to help raise funds. "With their knowledge of Americana and Berks County arts and crafts, they are a perfect complement to what our members make and market to our thousands of fans and customers through Berks County and the region.

Valerie Malmberg has been researching Berks County artists and their works for over 25 years. She is the managing art director of Greshville Antiques and Fine Art (www.greshvilleantiques.com), a nationally known antiques and fine arts gallery, located in a restored 18th century stone barn near Boyertown.

Greshville Antiques specializes in quality clocks, paintings, and furniture, and features the largest collection of Berks County art available. Malmberg is nationally recognized as the leading expert and appraiser on paintings from Berks County, including works by Ben Austrian, Christopher Shearer, J. Heyl Raser, Ferdinand Brader, F. Daniel Devlan, and Frederick Spang. Kurt Malmberg has more than 35 years of experience in the business, and specializes in clocks and furniture.

Within the community, the Malmbergs participate in numerous charity appraisal days, and are members of the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Historical Society of Berks County, the Antique Dealers Association of Berks County, and the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. Guild member exhibits and demonstrations at the spring show will cover traditional wood turning, shaker boxes, braided and penny rugs, scherenschnitte paper cuttings, folk art, theorem painting, calligraphy, basketry, tinsmithing, redware, block printing, quilting and weaving," said Bennecoff. Also at the show will be contemporary ceramics, glass, jewelry, dried florals, wearable art, photography and fine artwork produced by the Guild's juried master craftsmen and fine artisans, he added.

Many of the exhibitors also created special ornaments and decorations for the Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion in 2010 and 2009, and plan to do so again in 2011. The show includes live music by Butch Imhoff and "The Acoustic Road Show," with musicians from 10 to 76 performing bluegrass, folk, country, blues and Celtic songs. They include the Martin Family Band, Emazing Grace, Jacob and Jansen, Cara Wojciechowski, Valerie Nicole and students from Kutztown University.

There are also refreshments by Dori Martin Catering, a "Pick-A-Prize" raffle and hourly $10 door prizes. There is ample parking with handicapped accessible areas. The show is wheelchair accessible as well. The donation for admission is $4. Children under 12 are free.

Founded in 1945, the Reading Chapter has a four-fold mission: To promote and protect the interests of the craftsman; to encourage the study and practice of handcrafts; to uphold the best of traditional and contemporary crafts; and to maintain standards of excellence in design and technique. Membership is open to anyone.

In addition to the spring show, the Guild has an annual Holiday Crafts Show, this year on Oct. 29 and 30, 2011. The Guild also sponsors a monthly show on Berks Community Television (BCTV), publishes a newsletter, hosts an annual student awards program with monetary awards for Berks County high school seniors, and disburses annual grants to members for educational use. The Guild donates yearly to BCTV and the Kutztown University Scholarship fund.

For more details, visit the website www.rbcrafts.org or email info@rbcrafts.org. Or call 610-678-6650.

Valerie Malmberg Biography Valerie Malmberg has been researching Berks County artists and their works for over 25 years. She is the managing art director of Greshville Antiques and Fine Art, a nationally known antiques and fine arts gallery, located in a restored 18th century stone barn near Boyertown, Pa. Greshville Antiques and Fine Art specializes in quality clocks, paintings, and furniture, and features the largest collection of Berks County art available.

Malmberg is nationally recognized as the leading expert and appraiser on paintings from Berks County, including works by Ben Austrian, Christopher Shearer, J. Heyl Raser, Ferdinand Brader, F. Daniel Devlan, and Frederick Spang. In 1989, she published Artists of Berks County: An Overview 1850-1920 , and her research has been included as reference in the catalogues of the major auctions houses in New York. In 1990, Malmberg was the co- curator of the retrospective exhibition, Ben Austrian "A Gentle Persistence", held at the Reading Public Museum and Art Gallery.

In 2000, Malmberg was invited to include her research in the millennium publication of the new three volume set Who Was Who In American Art by Peter Falk which is considered to be the most comprehensive research tool for national auction houses, institutions, art galleries, and museums. Her latest publication, Berks County Art™, was published in 2006 and includes the most recent information available on the artists of Berks County.

Malmberg also specializes in other art from Pennsylvania, including paintings from Bucks County, Chester County, Lehigh County, and the works of artists from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. She has procured investment quality paintings for both private and corporate collections.

Valerie is married to Kurt Malmberg, owner of Greshville Antiques and Fine Art. Kurt has over 35 years of experience in the business, and specializes in clocks and furniture.