A Home For The Arts

WHEN WALKING AROUND the gorgeous grounds of Phillips’ Mill in New Hope, one can envision its extensive history and how this location has impacted the community since it was built in 1755. What was once a working grist mill has evolved into the heart of Pennsylvania impressionists.

In the late 1800s, a physician named George Marshall purchased a number of acres that included the mill. He lived up the road in another building on the property called Lentenboden. Around the same time, a group of artists were forming the New Hope art colony, with many living along the nearby canal. Marshall got to know the artists and used the mill as a place for them to meet and display their works.

Prior to his passing, Marshall wanted to ensure his property stayed on as a community resource, and he sold the land to the newly formed Phillips’ Mill Community Association (PMCA) in 1929.

“It’s a bit serendipitous,” says Paul Klug, the chair of the Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill. “It took someone like George Marshall, who had a sense of history as well as the future, to build relationships with what he saw as a growing and exciting colony of artists who had a lot to contribute to the art movement. It was a community of people there that existed with the same shared goals.”

A SANCTUARY FOR ART

With the purchase of the mill came the establishment of an annual art exhibition—the Juried Art Show—at Phillips’ Mill featuring local artists’ works. Ninety-six years later, the tradition continues in the same space and has become a renowned event due to its longevity and quality of artwork. The local artist aspect remains a priority since all submitters must live within a 25-mile radius of the mill.

Almost a 100 years ago, the show featured mostly impressionists with oil paints and watercolors, but now includes pastels, sculptures, and a variety of mediums, both traditional and contemporary. Last year, 358 pieces of artwork were a part of the show, and half of them sold.

“To be accepted is quite an honor,” PMCA Board President Jane Ford-Hutchinson says. “We have three jurors from elite intuitions—this year the Brandywine Museum, the Woodmere Museum, and Barnes Foundation—who come together to decide which piece of artwork should be hung for the show. It’s very exciting to go and see what these specialists in the area recognize as a really good piece of artwork.”

Klug adds that the quality of the work is topnotch. “It’s high-caliber art, high-caliber artists, and the show has a tremendous reputation around Bucks County as being the art event of the fall,” he says.

CREATIVE SURROUNDINGS

Bucks County continues to be a hot spot for painters, sculptors, and artistic minds. Ford-Hutchinson attributes this to the beautiful countryside, the Delaware River, and an overall idyllic setting for creativity to flourish.

Yardley fine artist Jean Childs Buzgo has entered the highly competitive Juried Art Show numerous times. Throughout the years, her artwork has faced rejection and acceptance into the show. Her perseverance paid off because in 2020 she was named the signature image artist, which means her painting of Phillips’ Mill was featured in the publicity for the show.

Childs Buzgo gained notoriety again last year when she won the award for a Landscape in the Style of the Pennsylvania Impressionists. Among artist circles, she says this is one of the top exhibitions to get into, and when one of the artists does get accepted, they all celebrate. Award winners get noticed professionally, which can open up additional opportunities for them.

“For me to get into this show is so prestigious and historical,” she says. “It speaks to the fact of how hard I’ve worked to develop my skill. It was a dream of mine to become the signature image artist and to win an award, so I’m happy to say I’ve fulfilled those dreams.”

Upper Makefield Township resident Joseph Demchur has been a PMCA member for 30 years. He is an art appreciator and has purchased 10 to 12 pieces of different sizes over the years.

“The art show continues to be a generation point for Bucks County impressionists and new artists, and it spawns creativity and encourages artists to keep creating art,” he says. “When you buy a piece, you feel like you’re supporting local artists.”

ALWAYS EXPANDING

Although the Juried Art Show is Phillips’ Mill’s biggest exhibition, new exhibits and programs for its members and the public have been added throughout the years to include a photography show, a members art show, a youth art exhibit, and an active drama program.

“There is such a variety of activities,” Ford-Hutchinson says. “It’s not just paintings we have but also photos, drama, and social events. People are so friendly, and it’s been rewarding to be a part of it. Everybody is so devoted to the cause of running the mill. It’s a group of very interesting people and a good way to connect with art.”

Back in the day, you had to be nominated to join the PMCA. However, starting in the 10s, membership became open to anyone who wanted to join.

“They offer so many things as a member,” Demchur says. “Even after 30 years, you still get to know people who have a common interest in art, and you meet people you wouldn’t otherwise have met.”

As for the future of PMCA, there are annual fundraisers to keep the building maintained and updated, since it dates back to the 1700s. With the 100-year anniversary approaching in 2029, PCMA is already starting to discuss ways to celebrate the milestone. Klug says to honor the 50th and 75th anniversaries, PMCA created a catalog and high-quality coffee book highlighting artwork from the previous 25 years. Preliminary plans are underway to create a retrospective for the 100th celebration. “The centennial is pretty important for us,” Klug says. “Strategically, we are broadening our footprint to people who can appreciate the mill and become part of the community we built.”

Ford-Hutchinson is thankful for the dedicated volunteers who keep all the programs going. “They are very invested,” she says. “There’s a level of camaraderie and enjoyment.”

One of her goals is to make Phillips’ Mill more visible to the community. “That’s something we’re going to be working on for the 100th anniversary,” she says. “We want people to know that this place is very special. It’s awe-inspiring that it’s been an artistic community for so long.”

The 96th Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill is on display until October 26.

BY DARI KOTZKER