Pat Oxenford, known for her Early American tole and decorative paintings, and her husband, Ray Oxenford, an accomplished tinsmith, will also appear at several other major art, crafts and folk art shows in southeastern Pennsylvania throughout 2011.

“Pennsylvania Hands” is part of the “American Hands” project created by photographer Sally Weiner Grotta, New York, NY, also a digital artist, author, columnist and lecturer. Many refer to her as a storyteller because of her list of accomplishments and achievements.

Such is her renown within the digital imaging and photography realm, that she is generally referred to by her first name. A pioneer in digital art, Sally developed new creative techniques and styles in the medium when it was still in its infancy. Numerous other experts in digital photography and imaging have acknowledged that they first learned the basics from Grotta’s books, articles and/or lectures.

Grotta said, “In ‘American Hands,’ I am honoring Americans who keep alive the traditional arts and crafts that built our country’s dynamically diver culture and established the underpinnings of our society.”

“Pennsylvania Hands” will be on exhibit at the Osterhout Library in Wilkes-Barre through the end of March. Other shows will be at the Friends Select School, Philadelphia (April 6-28); Genesee Area Library, Genesee, PA. (May 2-31); Oswayo Valley Memorial Library, Shinglehouse, PA. (also May 2-31); the Antoine Dutoit Museum, Delaware Water Gap, PA. (June 17-July 3); and Center Court, Lebanon Valley Mall, Lebanon, PA. (July 5-30).

The Oxenfords will also appear at these 2011 events:

• 9th Annual Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen Spring Fine Arts and Crafts Festival, Kutztown University, Keystone Hall, Kutztown, PA; March 26 and 27.
• Fair at Pottsgrove Manor, Pottstown, PA; May 7, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Spring meeting, Historical Society of Early American Decoration (HSEAD), Holiday Inn Albany Hotel and Conference Center, Albany, NY; May 13, 14 and 15.
• Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown Fairgrounds, Space No. 1 in Building A, Kutztown, Pa; July 2-10.
• 37th Colonial Days, sponsored by the East Berlin Historic Preservation Trust, East Berlin, PA; Sept. 10.
• Harvest Fescht, Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, Luckenbill Road on the campus of Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA; Sept. 24 and 25.
• 43rd Annual Traditional Crafts and Folk Art Sales, Heidelberg Municipal Building, Wernersville, PA; Oct. 15, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
• 62nd Annual Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen Juried Holiday Show, Keystone Hall on the Kutztown University campus, Kutztown, PA; Oct. 29 and 30.

Pat Oxenford, one of the most in-demand artists and a frequent toleware and tole painting seminar presenter, designs and decorates all types of tinware including trays, document boxes, coffee and teapots, spice canisters and more using authentic 18th, 19th and 20th century designs. She has written a book, “Heritage Crafts Today—Tole Painting” published by Stackpole Books, and will soon release a book on bride’s boxes, her specialty.

Ray Oxenford, who collaborates with his wife and makes all of their wooden items including the bride’s, salt, candle, Bible and pipe boxes and Weber-style chests, has more than 45 years experience in the antiques business, as well as being a tinsmith and woodworker. He creates his own tinware using authentic 18th and 19th century patterns and designs and restores old tinware. The couple often recreates an early tin shop as part of their shows.

For more information, visit the Oxenfords website www.paoxenford.com or e-mail them at inquiries@paoxenford.com.

One of the region’s most popular seasonal shopping events for authentic local art and crafts—will be held this year in a new location—Keystone Hall on the campus of Kutztown University at South Campus Drive and Baldy Street, just off Route 222.

The show offers museum quality examples of contemporary and traditional Pennsylvania folk artwork produced by more than 150 artisans who are members of the Reading-Berks Chapter—which is the largest chapter in the Pennsylvania Guild—and other juried craftsmen who are members of the Pennsylvania Guild.

Together with the talented Guild artisans, select Kutztown University art students will be displaying and selling their art. Alumni have also been invited to participate, making this a historic gathering of artists said Reading-Berks Guild President Barry Bennecoff.

“Berks County is fortunate to have such a diverse community of artisans. Our holiday show exhibiting Guild members have work that can be seen all over the world and as close as your local galleries, the Reading Public Museum shop and the very popular GoggleWorks, which is a haven for education, mentoring and the artist community.

Bennecoff said visitors to the show may choose from several genres-assorted arts, basketry, clay, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, paper, photography and wood. Traditional holiday show favorites are stained glass, hooked rugs, pressed and dried flower art, furniture, woodworking, ceramics, wearables, tole and folk art paintings and holiday collectibles, including Santas.

“People looking for great holiday gifts or looking for artworks to add to their own collection, will find an incredible variety in a broad price range,” said Bennecoff. “We also welcome anyone who wants to see the high level of quality crafts being done by our members.

“Many of our Guild craftsmen are nationally and internationally credited artisans and bring their exceptional talents to the show. They have been juried to assure their work is consistent with highest standards of the Reading-Berks Chapter and the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen.”

The Acoustic Roadshow, featuring a variety of talented local musicians, will be performing both popular and original musical entertainment throughout the event. Dori Martin Catering is providing refreshments in a special café seating area.

The show features live holiday music and a “Pick-A-Prize” Raffle of handcrafted items, each worth $50 or more and created by Guild artisans. You can preview the raffle items at the Guild’s website www.rbcrafts.org. Door prizes also are given away every hour on both days.

Visitors are asked to give a donation of $4. Kutztown University students and children under 12 are free. The event is wheelchair-accessible with ample parking and handicapped spaces.

The 60th annual show will be previewed on the Guild’s regular monthly program on Berks Community Television (BCTV) from 6 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 29 hosted by W. Eugene Burkhart Jr. Member work is also part of the “Raw to Refined” exhibit at the Reading Public Museum (www.readingpublicmuseum.org) through Oct. 31.

Founded in 1945, the Reading Chapter has a four-fold mission: To promote and protect the interests of the craftsman; to encourage the study and practice of handcrafts; to uphold the best of traditional and contemporary crafts; and to maintain standards of excellence in design and technique. Membership is open to anyone.

In addition to its two craft shows each year and its show on BCTV, the Guild publishes a newsletter, hosts an annual student awards program with monetary awards for Berks County high school seniors, and disburses annual grants to members for educational use. The Guild also sponsor an annual award for the best in traditional work at an exhibition at Pennsylvania State Shows and donates yearly to BCTV and the Kutztown University Scholarship fund.

For more details, visit the website www.rbcrafts.org or email info@rbcrafts.org. Or call 610-678-6650.

• “From Raw to Refined: The Creative Path of Master Craftsmen of the Pennsylvania Guild.” Through Oct. 31. Eighty-nine works by 79 members of the Guild, including Pat Oxenford. Open Tues., Weds., Thurs. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sun. noon-5 p.m. 610-371-5850. www.readingpublicmuseum.org. (Pat)
• Annual Friends of the Arts Show, Birdsboro Memorial YMCA. Birdsboro, PA. Sponsored by Birdsboro Woman’s Club. Opening Fri. Oct. 16 from 7-9 p.m. Public welcome Oct. 17-19.
• 41st Annual Traditional Crafts and Folk Art Sale, Sat., Oct. 17, South Heidelberg Township Building, Galen Hall Road, Wernersville, PA; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 610-856-5013. Rain or shine. Free admission and refreshments. (Pat)
• 60th Annual Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen Holiday Craft Show, Sat., Oct. 31 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Sun., Nov. 1 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.). Keystone Hall, main campus of Kutztown university, Kutztown, PA. In partnership with the PA German Heritage Center and Kutztown University. 610-678-6650. www.rbcrafts.org. (Pat)
• Pennsylvania German Folk Art Sale, Mennonite Heritage Center, Harleysville, PA. Meet the Artist Night Dec. 4 from 7-9 p.m. Open to public Dec. 5-23, 2009. Tue.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 215-256-3020. www.mhep.org. (Ray & Pat)

Pat Oxenford, one of the most in-demand artists and a frequent toleware and tole painting seminar presenter, designs and decorates all types of tinware including trays, document boxes, coffee and teapots, spice canisters and more using authentic 18th, 19th and 20th century designs. She has written a book, “Heritage Crafts Today—Tole Painting” published by Stackpole Books.

Her specialty is recreating old-world German bride’s boxes and personalizing them for clients for weddings, anniversaries and other occasions. She has done numerous commissions and teaches at the Kutztown, PA German Cultural Heritage Center in cooperation with Northampton County Community College and at the Harleysville Mennonite Heritage Center.

Ray Oxenford, who collaborates with his wife and makes all of their wooden items including the bride’s, salt, candle, Bible and pipe boxes and Weber-style chests, has more than 45 years experience in the antiques business, as well as being a tinsmith and woodworker.

He creates his own tinware using authentic 18th and 19th century patterns and designs and restores old tinware. The couple often recreates an early tin shop as part of their shows.

For more information, e-mail Pat & Ray at inquiries@paoxenford.com.

Pat has been doing decorative painting for more than three decades and has written a guide book, Heritage Crafts Today, Tole Painting, that teaches the technique of tole painting as well as the history behind the craft. She is a juried member of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, a member of the National Society of Decorative Painters and a Brazer Guild member of the Historical Society of Early American Decoration.

“My father was German,” said Pat. “He never got to pursue art, but he did some artwork for his Lehighton High School yearbook.” Lehighton, Pa. is populated by many citizens with a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Oxenford recalled a childhood memory of her father sitting down with her and carving a sailboat out of ivory soap.

Pat’s father encouraged her to pursue art, but it was her husband, Ray, who swayed her to go the historic route. “Ray encouraged me to focus on studying antique pieces and to try to copy the stroke work designs,” Pat wrote in her book. Ray Oxenford is a tinsmith, now retired from the antique business after 47 years. Ray makes most of the tinware and boxes that Pat paints. The crafty couple also do commissioned work and antique restoration.

During the time that Ray was working with antiques, he would bring items home with him for them to re-create. Antique dealers also provided the Oxenfords with catalogues, which are often the sources of Pat’s paintings. Other sources for traditional designs include Antique News and a large collection of books featuring antique patterns. “Some of these designs date back to the ‘30s and ‘40s,” said Pat. “In some cases, I am the third or fourth to inherit them.” “Tole” refers to painting on tin. Auctioneers gave sheet iron this French term as a slang. Painting on wood or other substrates is decorative painting. The first tole painting was done shortly after the Revolutionary War.

“It became popular among the Pennsylvania Dutch when tin peddlers carried unpainted wares from the New England tinsmiths as far as Virginia to sell to a wider market,” Oxenford explained in her book.

As New England tin peddlers sold tinware further south, the women, particularly Pennsylvania Dutch women in Berks and Lancaster Counties, began painting on the plain pieces, and tole painting was conceived. It soon evolved from a craft hobby to a trade craft. Girls did six-week apprenticeships where they learned all aspects of the trade. Flowers, leaves and borders were common subject matter, painted on the tin with quick, single brush strokes. Brush control, rather than artistic ability, was the more valuable skill. Pat’s paintings demonstrate the work of a steady hand. After the apprent ices became proficient in the craft, they would share their expertise with newcomers.

To reproduce old patterns on new pieces, Pat pulls the strokes with carbon paper. Examples of basic technique include “striping,” which are simple borders around the piece, and “comma strokes,” the quick single strokes that form flower petals. A steady hand controls a pointed brush, or “quill,” saturated with oil or acrylic paint.

In addition to sharing tips and techniques of tole painting in her book, Pat works with beginners by holding classes and demonstrations. Pat and Ray Oxenford teach and show at events such as the Kutztown Folk Festival,the Pennsylvania German Folk Art Sale, the annual juried holiday craft show and the Pennsylvania German Heritage Crafts Day.Their work has been displayed at Landis Valley Museum, the Pennsylvania Tree Christmas Pageant of Peace in Washington, D.C. and publications and documentaries such as Early American Life and the Time Warner video, Expression of Common Hands.

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Pat Oxenford, one of the most in-demand artists and a frequent toleware and tole painting seminar presenter at the festival, designs and decorates all types of tinware including trays, document boxes, coffee and teapots, spice canisters and more using authentic 18th, 19th and 20th century designs. She enjoys recreating the designs of Peter Ompir, Peter Hunt and other early folk artists.

Her specialty is recreating old-world German bride’s boxes and personalizing them for clients for weddings, anniversaries and other occasions. She has done numerous commissions and teaches at the Kutztown, PA German Cultural Heritage Center in cooperation with Northampton County Community College and at the Harleysville, Pa. Mennonite Museum.

She will be featuring and signing her 2008 book, “Heritage Crafts Today—Tole Painting” (Stackpole Books) at their festival booth (A-1) in the A Building and will offer some new items—Weber-style miniature chests, wooden wall shelves, pipe boxes and wall sconces.

Ray Oxenford, who collaborates with his wife and makes all of their wooden items including the bride’s, salt, candle, Bible and pipe boxes and Weber-style chests, has more than 45 years experience in the antiques business, as well as being a tinsmith and woodworker.

He creates his own tinware using authentic 18th and 19th century patterns and designs and restores old tinware. The couple often recreates an early tin shop as part of their shows.

The Oxenfords will also participate  in many other local and regional 2009 shows—Plow Boys 20th Anniversary Celebration, Kutztown German Cultural Heritage Center, Aug. 9 and 10; Mouns Jones Country Fair, Douglassville, Sept. 26 (Ray) and Harleysville Mennonite Museum Workshop, Sept. 26 (Pat); Birdsboro Friends of the Arts, Oct. 17-19; and Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen 60th Anniversary holiday Show at Kutztown University on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.

Now in its 60th year, the folk festival is a one-of-a-kind experience that gathers together the Oxenfords and some 200 of America’s finest traditional craftsmen, as well as blends the old and the new in comfortable surroundings. This year’s festival has been designated one of the top 100 events in the country by the American Bus Association.

“One big reason for the festival’s popularity is that people enjoy revisiting the past. They like to be reminded of people, places, and about ways of life of many years ago. They recognize that this is part of their heritage. At the same time, they enjoy the new features that are added every year at the festival and are popular with people of all ages,” according to Executive Director Dave Fooks.

The 2009 Kutztown Folk Festival runs from June 27 to July 5 at the Kutztown Fairgrounds. Hours daily are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For a free brochure, please call 1-888-674-6136 or 610-683-1597. Visit the Oxenfords’ website at www.paoxenford.com or the festival website at www.kutztownfestival.com.