B Inspired

Judy Lupas paints the images that she stores in her memory. Her canvases are filled with vibrant color and express what she loves--the beauty of flowers and gardens in a free-flowing style. From her early career as a nurse, she returned to her lifelong calling as artist.  "Joyful" describes her work and "Joy" is what she inspires.  Find more information about Studio B Fine Art Gallery on...

Thirteen years ago fine artist Susan Biebuyck had a vision to help the members of her art family promote their artwork. She imagined riding her bicycle from her home in the hills to her own gallery in Boyertown, a small town community in search of its soul. Studio B Art Gallery has served over 700 artists since its premiere opening in over 100 exhibits of artwork in all media. The "little gallery...

College professor, fine artist, and champion of animals in her role as Board member of Humane PA and volunteer at the Humane Society of Berks County, Kristen Woodward finds freedom and opportunity to explore the states of being--both creative and destructive--in both animal and human relationships. It gets tricky! And then there's her encaustic process, a favorite medium.  Much to learn from...

Karen Palcho began gathering wild plants and turning them into potions as a child. Her first product Huckleberry Finn Water was created by soaking Wildberry Lifesavers in warm water. Today she makes and sells stoneware pottery and teaches classes in all kinds of fermentation, herbal lotion and potion making, continuing a lifetime rooted in a fascination of transforming earth-based raw materials in...

Daniella Yacono offers that art shows us, with any luck, our truest selves and offers a study of the universal human condition. Her work in dark charcoal showcases men and women in their relationships, self-discovery, search for reality and in mythological icons.   Find more information about Studio B Fine Art Gallery on our website: studiobbb.org, on Studio B’s Facebook page, by contacting J...

Jamie Cascino is a force of nature. She's everywhere...helping everyone. Supporting, participating, celebrating, sharing BIG love. Folks love her enthusiasm, her inventory of eyeglasses, and her wardrobe of holiday outfits and shoes. Jamie's vision of Boyertown's future charges us all to bring the same energy, positive attitude, and teamwork she brings to whatever she's doing. This is a woman who...

Rich Zuber--owner of the area's largest privately-owned real estate organization, baseball coach, and the spirit behind the Pine Forge Athletic Association--recalls the men throughout the journey of his life who inspired his work ethic, openness to challenges, dedication to young people and the betterment of his community. Boyertown's "Energizer Bunny" finds inspiration in helping others maximize...

In today’s episode, Jane takes a bit of a break from  conversations with others to share some thoughts of her own, inspired not by pleasure but by very deep concerns. She explains, " No matter the outcome of the 2020 election, we’ve got problems. Almost half of the people who vote are going to be really unhappy and working really hard to undermine whoever is in power, to see that they fail. T...

John Yamrus' hits it out of the park again with his just-released book "Five Dogs," his 33rd book that will touch your heart and lighten your life. We love dogs...zooming dogs...scared-y dogs, dogs that, like magnets, capture everyone's attention without doing a darn thing! Our conversation includes John's thoughts about some of his favorite books and authors. Don Quixote is a favorite he shares w...

All human life contains suffering. And al of us seek to relieve that suffering in some way. In a sense, then, we're all addicts! At the very least we're addicted to air, to food, to water! We're all different in our "drug of choice"--be it a drug, a drink, gambling, food, running, our sports team, our political party, our desire to be seen a certain way. And we're all "addicted" at different level...

Science and religion meet in the world of mild-mannered artist Joe Szimhart  whose experiences and knowledge offer assistance to any of us who struggle to find their place in this complicated world. So many choices of belief systems he's experienced and researched threaten to splinter society, our lives and relationships. He speaks about his art and his journey, what triggers belonging in gro...

So...it all happened overnight: we said our fond best wishes to Adrianne Blank and welcomed Jillian Magee to the role of Main Street Manager of Building a Better Boyertown. Then COVID-19 hit us all. Fast forward six months and Jillian, lover of all things history, has acquainted herself with the organization's many projects and goals and coordinated the development of the 5-year strategic plan. Le...

Meet my new BFF--Derek Menchan!  Recommended by writer John Yamrus, Derek shares his assorted inspirations. A gifted musician--he chose the cello as his focus; a teacher of the Humanities and philosophy--Plato to Pollock; and vintage car enthusiast--a fan of "hard lines," Derek shares the serendipitous avenues that have led to his passions and  "signature style."   Meet Derek in an...

Pen Valentine, teacher and writer, wants everyone to write everyday as she does and discover their unique personal qualities embodied in their spirit animal as they set their intentions clearly throughout the transformations of their lives. And when challenges arise: she urges a call on the Serenity Prayer for serenity, courage, and wisdom. Coming soon: her book "Bricks, Butterflies, and Coffee."...

Phil Repko, a friend, fellow former English teacher, and prolific poet, is a career educator and administrator in the PA school system--public and private--who has been writing for fun and no profit since he was a teenager.  Phil discusses his assorted inspirations and offers a poem of his own. Phil lives with his wife Julie in Gilbertsville and is the father of three outstanding children, tw...

Bill Flederbach, successful environmental entrepreneur, shares his recovery story at 17 after 35 years of anonymity and how today he keeps his OCD analytical mind focused--jumping out of planes!  Challenges that the world is facing today can be dangerous to those struggling with addiction issues. And while we may all be "addicted" to something at some level, finding the source of those behavi...

Jill Dennin seems to be everywhere and has played many roles in her mission as public servant.  While Motherhood derailed her legislative ambitions for a "few" years, she's been busy: volunteering--for over 25 years as Girl Scout leader, as our coordinator for the Bear Fever community art project and Studio B Art Mobile scheduler, as substitute school teacher, as caregiver and Meals on Wheels...

I love teenagers...always have! During my 35 years of teaching, I was not often disappointed in their insights and perspectives. And, if you've ever wondered what our young people value or are thinking, meet Boyertown High School senior Alex Neff whose essay appears in our latest book of poetry and prose "Superheroes: What the World Needs Now." You'll find her uncommonly charming and thoughtful--n...

Marilyn Klimcho "vacations" with her friends by inviting them to read a minute of their poetry as part of a Berks Bards annual April Poetry Month celebration. Her own inspirations come from the smallest details. She shares them in her poem "Purpose." Find more information about Studio B Fine Art Gallery on our website: studiobbb.org, on Studio B’s Facebook page, by contacting Jane Stahl, janeEstah...

In a career spanning 50 years as a working writer, John Yamrus has published 26 volumes of poetry, 2 novels, 2 volumes of non-fiction and a children’s book. He has also had more than 2,000 poems published in magazines and anthologies around the world. Writing about what he knows--the people he's met, the dogs he's loved--John shares a few secrets of his success and reads a few poems that illustrat...

One of Jane's favorite people and writers, Heather Goodman shares her personal inspirations, her approaches as tutor of writing, and the essay "Lady" honoring her mother that she submitted for Studio B's most recent book of poetry and prose: "Superheroes: What the World Needs Now." Her beautiful tribute offers an image of her mother's legacy: "My mom, a woman who climbs mountains with a bucket to...

In this episode Jean Esther, Studio B's ever-popular--inspiring artist/teacher, shares his story of who inspired him, what he's up to now, and his mission to inspire students to find their passion and give them confidence in his belief in them and their abilities.  In addition, Jane chats with Joshus Nase who studied art with Jean for @6 years and will continue his art-related studies in coll...

July 4, 2020, a moody morning, was transformed by words offered in 2 of my friends' Facebook posts: the Declaration of Independence and the poem "I, Too" by Langston Hughes.  Jane's preface to Studio B's 7th book of poetry and prose entitled "Superheroes: What the World Needs Now" included William Faulkner's Nobel Prize acceptance speech that urges poets to continue their work, their duty, as...

Jess Bergeman is one of those students a teacher never forgets--she "branded" herself in her 8th grade Oratorical Contest speech as "Tigger"--a wonderfully warm and positive light in a sometimes dreary, dangerous world. Jess, biracial in Boyertown, where the KKK gathered monthly in our town's square, recalls being protected in a bubble of support that her friends provided. "Excelling" became her s...

JD Stahl, advocate and life coach, reflects on the challenges facing each of us in light of corrosive fear, common as part of the human condition, and the community's toxic divisiveness enhanced by the recent death of George  Floyd.  Find more information about Studio B Fine Art Gallery on our website: studiobbb.org, on Studio B’s Facebook page, by contacting Jane Stahl, janeEstahl@comca...