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Our annual arts & culture issue shines light on our community’s creative spaces and those who utilize them—a reminder that galleries, studios, performance spaces, and education venues are centers for new ideas, creativity, and collaboration. Since 2010, Fig West Chester has been proudly celebrating artists, makers, and innovators who continuously imagine and re-imagine our town. We pay homage to those who add color and beauty to our lives.
Thank you to Sunset Hill Jewelers and Fine Arts Gallery for sponsoring the following content of artists and creative spaces. We are inspired by Sunset Hill’s dedication to engaging our community with the arts.
Owner Sandy Riper sits with friend and artist William Ewing.
A Home for Local Art & Artists / Sunset Hill Gallery
Sunset Hill Fine Arts Gallery remains one of the premier destinations to admire and purchase art in Downtown West Chester. Sunset Hill is home to an ever-changing selection of pieces by local artists Harry Dunn, William Ewing, Jeff Schaller, and more.
Don’t miss the Annual Autumn Gallery Walk on October 4th from 5–9 pm!
Edible Artistry / The Master’s Baker
There is a reason why this team of masterful bakers and cake designers produce 60+ cakes a week during the fall months. It’s because a dessert from The Master’s Baker is a true work of art. The kitchen is where all the magic happens. From innovative design techniques to one-of-a-kind flavors, The Master’s Baker is surely one of the sweetest smelling creative spaces in all of Chester County. Offering custom wedding cakes, special event cakes, mini desserts, and much more.
Head Brewer, Justin Low; this season's brew selections
Scratch Brewery / Iron Hill Brewery
Beer tastes best when it’s made fresh. Iron Hill’s beers are brewed on-site daily in a creative space that masterfully marries art & science. Only the finest ingredients are used—domestic and imported malted barley and hops, yeast, and water. At Iron Hill, you are guaranteed a fresh and natural glass of great-tasting beer brewed with passion and creativity.
Look out for these seasonal favorites! Coming in cans and on tap this fall: Philly Special IPA, Pumpkin Ale, Oktoberfest and Lunchbox Hero Sour.
Showstopping Artistry / Balance Hair & Spa Studio
Hair: Jacky Patten
Makeup: John Barrett
Jewelry: Tish Boutique
Model & BHS Manager: Amber Stewart
Gourmet Artisans at Work / Carlino’s Market
Creativity abounds inside Carlino’s. Each day is a new chance to create not only delicious food but also a shopping experience. Culinary artists prepare your favorites, pasty chefs add decadent details, and specialty food managers are ready to assist you. This fall, the Carlino family invites you to shop, dine-in, take out, or order catering for your next event.
Fairy/Troll Garden by Miho Kahn Interiors 2019
Earthy, Elegant, Eclectic / Miho Kahn
A consummate artist, Miho Kahn brings her ubiquitous talents to the art of Interior Design. As a painter/multi-media artist, she has the inspired eye of a true creative bringing limitless possibilities to each project. Miho embodies the ancient wabi-sabi aesthetic, celebrating the beauty of individuality, authenticity, and grace.
Working with a select clientele, home design becomes an exciting expression of truly original artistic vision. Our homes and gardens are sacred spaces that should inspire us daily.
The holiday sale starts November 16th—visit her website for details.
Thoughtful Jewelry Design / Kaplan’s Fine Jewelry
The Kaplan family has been designing custom jewelry in the heart of downtown West Chester for over 40 years. Crafted with great care and precision, each piece of jewelry becomes a work of art. With a retail store in the front, and a jewelry designing studio in the back, Kaplan’s remains a trusted destination for reimagining old pieces, designing brand new ones, or discovering a collection curated by the Kaplan family.
Celebrating their 40th Anniversary Season / Brandywine Ballet
Artistic Director and Founder of Brandywine Ballet Donna L. Muzio has a dynamic season line-up planned to celebrate 40 years of bringing artistic excellence to Chester County.
The fall series will feature three distinctive works by Resident Choreographer Nancy Page and a new work by Tim Early, Co-Artistic Director of Brandywine Contemporary. The title work, Carmina Burana, is set to Carl Orff’s masterpiece by the same name; it is a tale of life, fortune, and fate. Ms. Page’s Never Ending Road is set to the mysteriously beautiful music of Loreena McKennitt, and an excerpt from her Colour Brillanté is set to a powerful score by Antonin Dvorak. Tim Early will be creating a premier work on our Brandywine Contemporary dancers which will round out this not-to-miss repertoire performance! The 40th Anniversary Season also features two fan favorites: The Nutcracker & The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Join the celebration at Brandywine Ballet!
Carmina Burana / October 26 & 27, 2019
The Nutcracker / December 13-22, 2019
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz / May 15-17, 2020
All performances are held at West Chester University’s Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall.
CCAA programs are for everyone and in nearly every artistic medium.
The Arts Transform / Chester County Art Association
The Chester County Art Association encourages creative thinking, fosters personal expression, provides creative maker spaces throughout the county, and helps bring out the artist in everyone! Your support helps them to grow and thrive.
CCAA believes that everyone has artistic talent, and they help develop each individual’s abilities. Fine arts/fine craft classes and workshops teach everything from fundamental concepts to advanced techniques. In addition, CCAA supports artists through more than 50 annual art exhibitions, lectures, and artist talks. Their exhibits provide opportunities to have a dialogue about art and creativity.
Chester County Art Association programs are in nearly every artistic medium—painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, digital art, printmaking/mixed media, fiber arts, and jewelry. Please join for an inspirational art exhibit, take a sampler class to find your passion, and nurture your inner Michelangelo!
Artistic Exhibits
September 12 – October 3
Oxford Art Alliance Exchange When in Doubt, Add Yellow Barclay Friends Plein Air
October 10 – October 31
10/11 The Great CCAA $100 Art Grab!
4 x 40 Invitational
The Clay Bowl
At the Moulin Rouge
November 7 – December 3
Bob Voynow
Classic Literature in Art
December 7 – January 2, 2020
Kathryn Noska
$300 & Under
12/7 Holiday Open House
Fall Workshops and Classes
September 9 – December 12
West Chester & Exton
Fig’s Patron of the Arts, Dr. Timothy Blair, serves as CEO and Executive Director at WEmusic, Inc., of WL Global Corporation with offices in Manhattan, Shanghai, Budapest, and London. The CCAA recognizes Dr. Blair for his generosity and his passionate support of arts and culture in Chester County.
A Studio En Plein Air / Diane Dailey Allsman
Acrylic painter Diane Adily Allsman offers deeply emotional, stream-of-consciousness art using dry brush techniques with bold strokes. Whether she is working indoors or out, you’ll find self-expression in every new piece.
Think Tank Spaces
Business Coaching; Video Production Services
More Than a Co-working Space / align.Space
Think Tank Spaces: The Vault is the original bank safe that has been converted into a 360° brainstorming think-tank where you and your team can strategize on growing your company. Use the floor to ceiling whiteboard walls to map out your business or product ideas.
Business Coaching: Work with the innovative team of leaders from align5 for strategic business coaching and consultation. Grow your organization with strategic coaching in scaling up your business, organizational structure, developing culture and core values, human resources support, customer retention, cash flow strategy, and much more.
Video Production Services: Video is the most effective and sought-after tool to communicate with your team and market your business. The Green Room is a video production studio with everything you’ll need to tell your brand story. Equipped with top-of-the-line video, audio, and lighting equipment, all you need to bring is an idea. There’s even pro podcast gear in place for you.
