The 17th Annual Scenes of the Schuylkill Juried Art Show and Sale is open and the free exhibit features 38 original works depicting a scene from within the Schuylkill River region.

The exhibit will remain open through this Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Walk In Art Center. The center is located at 220 Parkway in Schuylkill Haven. The gallery is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Most artwork in the exhibit is available for purchase. A percentage of the sale benefits the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area and the Walk In Art Center. All purchased pieces are tax deductible. People interested in buying a piece of art can contact the Walk In Art Center at 570-732-3728 or Schuylkill River Greenways at 484-945-0200.

The Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area covers Schuylkill, Berks, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties. The nonprofit organization uses the annual exhibit to spotlight the unique qualities of the region through the talents of the arts community.

People with work in the exhibit along with Schuylkill River Greenways staff and board members attended an artist reception on Wednesday. Attendees enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and drinks while viewing the pieces of this year’s show. Schuylkill River Greenways Executive Director Elaine Paul Schaefer gave a quick overview of what the organization accomplished in 2021 and shared their mission.

“When people become connected and they have a relationship with the river because they bike there, they fish there, they paint there and do art there; then they fall in love with the river and become ambassadors of the river,” she said.

Schuylkill Counter Commissioner Gary Hess attended the reception and said a few words. The audience was excited to hear about projects taking place along the Schuylkill River and Schuylkill River Trail. This included a renovated water landing in Port Clinton and the rehabilitated trail bridge in Auburn.

After remarks by Schaefer and Hess, Schuylkill River Greenways recognized and awarded the winning artists and photographers of this year’s show.

Tulu Bayar, the Art and Art History Department Chair at Bucknell University, was the guest juror of this year’s show. Bayar selected three winning entries and four honorable mentions. Best of Show went to Joseph Opshinsky for a cut paper collage titled “Tamaqua View.” Opshinsky received a $500 cash prize. Heather Butler received a $300 cash price for a watercolor piece called “Life Giving Water” which came in second place. John Dolph received a $100 cash prize for the photograph titled “City Hall Courtyard” which came in third place.

The four honorable mentions included two for photography and two for paintings. In the photography category, both awards went to Amber Fink for the photos titled “Winter Farmstead” and “Woman in the Snowstorm.” In the painting category, the awards went to Jon Bond for an oil piece titled “Fence Fire” and to Jolie Chylack for a watercolor on panel piece titled “General Restoration on the Schuylkill River.” All honorable mention awardees received $50 for each winning piece.

In addition, the Schuylkill River Greenways staff selected a Staff’s Choice winner which went to Brent Gillenwater for an oil on canvas piece called “Little North Creek.” Gillenwater was awarded a $100 cash prize.

For more information about this year’s show and photos of each piece entered, visit schuylkillriver.org/artshow.