Boyertown Studio B Fine Art Gallery receives grant for ‘In Service’ project

The Marlene L. Driscoll Fund of Berks County Community Foundation awarded a grant of $9,575 to Studio B Fine Art Gallery in Boyertown.

Driscoll, who lived in Boyertown for 65 years and died at the age of 85 in November 2019, left almost $1.5 million to the Berks County Community Foundation to establish a fund in her name to support projects that benefit the Boyertown area.

She was well-known in the area for her affiliation with Faith Chapter #444 Order of the Eastern Star and a past officer in Order of the Amaranth #113 of Pottstown.

“[Her] legacy will help to support organizations and initiatives that brighten the lives of local residents,” Heidi Williamson, former senior vice president for programs and initiatives with the Berks County Community Foundation, said in the release. “Grants from the endowment she created will support important causes in the Boyertown area now and long into the future. She’s truly left an everlasting gift to her community.”

The grant supports Studio B’s project entitled “In Service” planned for summer 2026.

“Everybody has stories of times when someone offered to help them or when we provided some kind of service to another,” Jane Stahl, Studio B’s director of community relations, said in the release.

Studio B’s theme “In Service” will provide opportunities to respond to the generosity from friends and neighbors, acknowledge a spirit of compassion and sacrifice within our community, and applaud those who have provided service in small or grand ways, said Stahl.

“It is my hope that the project will highlight the many kindnesses we offer to each other, demonstrating how important we are to one another and perhaps healing some of the divisiveness that exists in the world today,” Stahl said. “Sharing our stories will be uplifting and help achieve our community’s mission to build a better Boyertown.”

Sometimes the service is widely known and provided to others. Those in the military, firefighters, police, doctors, nurses, teachers, or EMTs are examples of those whose lives are dedicated to serving others, she said.

“Yet sometimes service comes as a small gesture — one that would seem insignificant or invisible or forgotten — but one that made a world of difference at the time,” said Stahl.

She is inspired by witnessing and experiencing what William Wordsworth describes in his poem known as “Tintern Abbey” as “little, nameless, unremembered acts, Of kindness and of love.”

Wordsworth finds that these acts inspire a “blessed mood” in which the heavy and the weary weight is lightened.

“In Service will shine a light on these countless acts and inspire us all to celebrate one another’s loving acts and offer more of them,” Stahl said.

The project will include a fine art exhibit, publication of poetry, prose, and art responding to the theme on the digital news site The Boyertown Area Expression, and a host of community activities beginning June 26. The project concludes Aug. 23.

The fine art exhibit opens June 26, from 5-7 p.m. at Studio B Art Gallery, 39A E. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown. In-take of art will take place on June 23.

Poetry and prose submissions will be shared on the digital news site The Boyertown Area Expression (boyertownareaexpression.town.news) throughout the summer of 2026 and during a writer’s reception and reading on June 28.

Writers and artists should submit one to two pieces of prose, poetry or art to janeEstahl@comcast.net by May 1. Include a two- to three-sentence bio along with submissions.

Plans include invitations to families to share stories of family members who served in the military during ticketed tours of the General Spaatz Museum and at StoryWalks created by the Boyertown Area Community Library, featuring service as a theme.

Community members will be invited to share selfies with those whose service made a difference in their lives. Selfies will be showcased in a loop on a TV screen in Studio B’s window throughout the summer.

“Plus, we’ll try to capture community members on the street or at events to invite them to share their stories,” said Stahl. “So, we hope that our community members will begin thinking of those moments of service and be willing to share their stories with us.”

The reels will appear on Studio B’s website or Facebook page.

Stahl also hopes that other individuals, organizations, non-profits, and businesses will find ways to participate in Studio B’s celebration of service.

“I’m always amazed at the creativity our community demonstrates in these kinds of challenges,” said Stahl.

Activities under consideration include art lessons to create illustrations, portraits, or promotional material featuring types of service offered by community members including children and adults, veterans, business owners, social and civic group members; organizing a StoryTime at the Spaatz Museum to feature benefits of serving others; hosting a book discussion group featuring service to others; publishing testimonials about businesses and individuals who offer services that nurture and assist including funeral directors, beauty salons, first responders, home and childcare workers, for example.

Boyertown Area School District students and staff will be invited to participate in interviews for articles, podcast episodes and create their own productions.

To help facilitate activities or to be a guest on a B Inspired or in The Boyertown Area Expression digital news site, contact janeEstahl@comcast.net.

“These types of art activities, literary readings, and book discussions introduce artists and writers to the community and to one another. Their unique ideas and perspectives help us all to learn about others, try on different ways to look at the world, and provide community-building opportunities while enhancing cultural literacy,” said Stahl.

Studio B is a fine art gallery that offers support, promotional opportunities, and creative activities to artists, writers, community members, students, school personnel, businesses, and organizations. In hosting events and activities in art, writing, and history and in participating in cultural, educational, and business activities and events hosted by other organizations, the studio seeks to assist in building a stronger, more unified community.

Berks County Community Foundation has been an important partner throughout Studio B Art Gallery’s 17-year history. The mission of Berks County Community Foundation is to promote philanthropy and improve the quality of life for the residents of Berks County. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/berkscountycommunityfoundation/.