Creating Harmony

Ted Hallman's latest creation, Suspended Harmonies, is on display at the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown through March 3. The installation includes pieces of sculpture-like artwork that represent trees, clouds and the sun, creating an abstract landscape environment. 

“People have been looking at landscapes in the museum for many years, but they have not had the opportunity to walk into a landscape,” Hallman explained. “You walk into this space and you definitely feel like you’re out of the museum and into another world.” 

The Montgomery County artist has created pieces that represent elements of landscapes, such as rain, snow and a rainbow. Almost all of the pieces are hanging and created with yarn, fiber, plastic ribbon, wire and acrylic roping. Steel armatures anchor the top and bottom of the artwork.

Focus of the community

The Artists of Yardley organization, which currently has approximately 150 members, is holding its third annual photography and skilled craft exhibition. The nonprofit is completely functional through volunteer work and fundraising efforts. Established in 2004 as an arts organization, the AOY officially found its home in 2010 within the historic Janney House on Patterson Farm in Yardley. Here are a few of my favorite photos from a recent visit. 

A spice of life

The Tubby Olive is a gourmet olive oil and vinegar shop with two locations — Newtown, Bucks County and the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia. The specialty store offers 35 flavors of olive oil and an additional 35 flavors of balsamic vinegars, all on tap for customers to sample.

A family affair

The Midweek Wire published its Food and Restaurant Issue last week, showcasing local chefs and eateries throughout Bucks and Montgomery counties. I covered Fritz’s Bakery, located in Bensalem and Langhorne, a family owned and operated joint since 1974. Here are some of my favorite photographs.

Saint Katharine Drexel

Saint Katharine Drexel is the founder of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, a group created in 1891 that continues to thrive today. The SBS is an order dedicated to helping the poor and providing interracial leadership in religious communities and schools throughout the United States and Haiti. In addition to their missionary work, the SBS maintains the Saint Katharine Drexel Mission Center and Shrine, which has been designated a national shrine by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. It is located on Bristol Pike in Bensalem.

Stroke of beauty

Norman F. Simms, an award-winning artist who lives in Fairless Hills, is a member of the Artists of Bristol on the Delaware, Portrait Society of America and Pastel Association of America. He has published two books and also works as a private tutor for local painters.

Flourishing freshness

The Pennypack Farm and Education Center, a Horsham-based nonprofit community farm, recently expanded to a second location in Fort Washington. The organization works within a community supported agriculture model that is designed to grow locally and organically.