The inimitable Robert Ian Pepper, born in Manchester, England - and Reading resident since 1986 - has had more colorful artistic experiences than most. While a BA Honors student at Leeds University in the early 80's, Robbie began making sidewalk murals in chalk, earning more at times than some of his professors. He continued his 'pitch' after coming to New York City, and soon was offered other commisssions.

Finding himself in Reading which he considers his home, he has continued commissions from New York, often in the Special Events industry, which also include numerous corporate and individual clients as far afield as LA, Houston, DC, Miami, Philadelphia, and more. Robbie Pepper has a wide experience in theatrical production design and construction, primarily for the PA Youth Theatre and Moravian Arena Theatre, both in Bethlehem, PA.

He has taught painting, and explored all kinds of media and subject matter. Pepper's artistic 'style' is hard to define. His talent and energy cover commissioned portraits, often life-size and full-figure, still life, interlocking geometric canvases, to full 3D sculpture, to name a few. In 1999, the Reading Public Museum hosted a large retrospective of his paintings, and his other solo exhibits have been at the Freedman Gallery in 2006, as well as in New York and Philadelphia.

Bring your questions for Robbie to the September meeting. Time permitting, he has promised to demonstrate a small painting. You can bet he will easily accomplish this!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 7pm
General Membership Meeting
Institute of the Arts, Wyomissing

"Blindness has taught me that I am not a body, but a mind and a spirit, and my body's eyes have nothing to do with vision." Carol B. Saylor is a painter who gradually turned to sculpture during about 25 years of progressive deafness and blindness. As a mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she often had to set her art aside to care for family members. Her husband, and later a daughter, died of cancer, and she also helped care for three surviving grand daughters. These, and other life experiences have shaped and inspired her artistic work. Most of Saylor's recent work is in clay, although it includes papier-mache, plaster, wood, bronze and resin sculpture. Her clay work ranges from fine clay to raku, and her favorite patina is smoke fired. She uses acrylic gel, which she can apply with her hands, and bronze powders to enhance her sculptures. Her subject matter involves the female form in abstract and realistic modes. Her latest pieces are abstract clay forms meant to be gently touched. They contain openings large enough for a hand to enter and explore. The hidden spaces contain additional unseen art, creating a level of sculpture that can only be experienced tactilely. Saylor's work expresses the emotions of a lifetime, from loss and grief, to gratitude and hope. Saylor states, "I am grateful for the wonderful transition my brain has been able to make." To visit Carol Saylor's website, click here.

Membership Cards

The Board has agreed that members who forget to include a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope with their checks with be able to pick up their membership cards at the next BAA meeting; they will be available at either meeting. In order to keep this expense down, we will no longer mail them to you. Thank you for your cooperation.