The Sponsors
The third annual Plein Air West Reading was produced by Art Plus Gallery and the West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation (WRCRF), and made possible by the generous support of:
Tower Health
Merrill Lynch Wyomissing
Say Cheese Restaurant
The Restaurant Store
M&T Bank
Golden Oaks
Safe Berks
Reick’s Printing
Lisa Tiger, Century 21 Gold
Special thanks to Say Cheese for the use of the space at 602 Penn Ave, to the Wyomissing Area School District for the use of their display panels, and to Andy Moletress for transporting those panels.
Plein Air West Reading is organized by the West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation (WRCRF), Art Plus Gallery, and a coalition of West Reading merchants.
West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation (WRCRF)
Since its founding in 2007, this non-profit partnership of local business leaders and merchants, government officials and residents has helped West Reading become one of Berks County’s leading hub for dining, shopping and cultural activities. WRCRF’s two flagship programs are the Main Street program, which focuses on Penn Avenue in West Reading, and the Elm Street program, which focuses on the older neighborhoods surrounding the business district. WRCRF is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.
Art Plus Gallery
Artist registration and support will be coordinated by Art Plus Gallery, a non-profit cooperative of local artists. The gallery was founded in 1999 with three goals:
- Help local artists display, market and sell their artwork
- Give artists insights into the business side of galleries and developing a career in art
- Connect the community to art through significant art-related activities.
A main part of the gallery’s mission is to promote art appreciation and participation throughout the Berks community in general, and among K-12 students in particular. In addition to running and maintaining the gallery itself, members donate 25% of their sales through this location and outside venues, as well as their time, to event such as Plein Air West Reading and the annual “Nature of Nolde Forest” Student Art Contest, and other community activities throughout the year.