{"id":145179,"date":"2026-03-22T09:50:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T09:50:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/145179\/"},"modified":"2026-03-22T09:50:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T09:50:11","slug":"exhibit-featuring-women-artists-on-display-at-yocum-institute-in-west-lawn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/145179\/","title":{"rendered":"Exhibit featuring women artists on display at Yocum Institute in West Lawn"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yocum Institute for Arts Education, 3000 Penn Ave., West Lawn, will present \u201cSacred Space: A Group Show of Women Artists,\u201d a compelling new exhibition featuring the work of artists Kachina Leigh, Sara Miller, Karen Palcho, Pam Roule, Anna Schweigert and Daniella Yacono.<\/p>\n

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The exhibition will be on view in the Holleran Gallery through April 24. An opening reception will take place today from 2-4 p.m., inviting the community to meet the artists and experience the exhibition firsthand.<\/p>\n

Sacred Space brings together a diverse range of artistic voices and mediums \u2014 including textiles, printmaking, collage, oil painting, and abstract works \u2014 to explore the concept of sacred space. Inspired by the ancient tradition of the Red Tent, a place where women gathered to rest, give birth, menstruate, reflect, and commune, the exhibition honors the power of shared experience and collective care.<\/p>\n

Through deeply personal and symbolic works, the participating artists reclaim the Red Tent as a site of creativity, resilience, and connection. At the heart of the exhibition is a Red Tent installation, inviting viewers to reflect on themes of sanctuary, transformation, and the enduring strength found in women-centered spaces.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve never done anything quite like this before.\u201d said\u00a0Nadia Pochan, Visual Arts Department Director at Yocum Institute for Arts Education. \u201cWith the ambitious task of bringing an installation in the space, we\u2019re seeking to create an environment that goes beyond cliche.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Holleran Gallery at Yocum Institute is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. The gallery is closed on Sundays. Admission to the exhibition and the opening reception is free and open to the public.<\/p>\n

For more information about this exhibition or other programs and events, 610-376-1576 or visit yocuminstitute.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Music<\/p>\n

The Reading Symphony Orchestra (RSO) announces its 2026\u20132027 concert season, a powerful lineup of iconic orchestral masterworks, global guest artists, and community collaborations under the theme \u201cMusic That Tells Our Story.\u201d<\/p>\n

Led by Music Director\u00a0Andrew Constantine, the season explores how music connects generations, celebrates local culture, and brings the world\u2019s greatest composers to audiences right here in Berks County.<\/p>\n

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Featuring works by\u00a0Rachmaninoff,\u00a0Mahler,\u00a0Beethoven, and\u00a0Tchaikovsky, alongside partnerships with dancers, students, and regional organizations, the season positions the Reading Symphony Orchestra as both a world-class orchestra and a cultural cornerstone of the community it serves.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery orchestra season tells a story,\u201d Constantine said. \u201cThis year we wanted to celebrate the story of our community, its passion, its talent, and its connection to the great music of the world. From beloved symphonies to powerful collaborations, this season reflects who we are and why music matters here.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 2026\u20132027 season brings audiences the symphonic works they love most, performed live by the region\u2019s premier orchestra. From the sweeping emotion of\u00a0Rachmaninoff\u00a0to the monumental power of\u00a0Mahler\u00a0and\u00a0Beethoven, these concerts showcase the artistry of the orchestra while creating unforgettable shared experiences.<\/p>\n

At the same time, the season expands the orchestra\u2019s commitment to collaboration and community storytelling. Partnerships with the\u00a0Joffrey Ballet, educators, and local cultural organizations bring new voices to the stage and invite audiences of all backgrounds to see themselves reflected in the music.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese concerts are about more than great performances,\u201d Constantine said. \u201cThey are about connection between musicians and audiences, between generations, and between Berks County and the wider artistic world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Several concerts this year will spotlight collaborations that transform the concert hall into a shared cultural stage. Students, dancers, and community partners including the\u00a0Yocum Institute for Arts Education\u00a0will join the orchestra to explore music as a living art form that evolves through participation and shared creativity.<\/p>\n

These collaborations are designed not only to expand artistic possibilities, but to reinforce the\u00a0RSO\u2019s role as Berks County\u2019s orchestra: an institution rooted in the community and committed to making world-class music accessible to all.<\/p>\n

The 2026\u20132027 season reflects the orchestra\u2019s ongoing mission to:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Bring iconic orchestral music to audiences close to home<\/p>\n

\u2022 Celebrate local stories and talent alongside global artistry<\/p>\n

\u2022 Create collaborative performances that connect the arts community<\/p>\n

\u2022 Welcome audiences of every background with the message: You belong here<\/p>\n

The result is a season that balances tradition and innovation, honoring the masterpieces audiences cherish while expanding the orchestra\u2019s cultural reach across the region.<\/p>\n

Season subscriptions are now available, offering audiences the best seats, significant savings, and the opportunity to experience the full artistic journey of the year.<\/p>\n

Current subscribers may renew their seats through May 31, with new subscription packages available for first-time attendees and returning patrons.\u00a0A digital season brochure and full concert lineup can be found at\u00a0www.readingsymphony.org\/subscriptions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u2022\u2022<\/p>\n

The WCR Center for the Arts, 140 N. Fifth St., Reading, and Berks Youth Chorus will hold YogaSing workshops on March 29 from 3-5:30 p.m. The first session from 3-3:45 is for the Choristers and Chorale ensembles, which includes singers in grades 3-7, and the second session from 4:15-5:15 is for the MasterSingers ensemble (singers grades 8-12) and invited adults.<\/p>\n

The workshops will be led by voice and yoga coach Suzanne Jackson. A former resident artist on stage at the Kennedy Center with the Washington National Opera for 25 years, Jackson teaches her unique method of conscious singing called YogaSing to artists around the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs part of our youth arts and educational programming, we are thrilled to welcome back Suzanne Jackson and partner with Berks Youth Chorus,\u201d said Jayme Rhoads, president of the WCR board of directors. \u201cYogaSing is a truly one-of-a kind experience. The workshops will allow students to experience singing in a whole new way-one that is expressive and deeply empowering,\u201d<\/p>\n

\"YogaSingYogaSing workshops will be held at the WCR Center for the Arts. (Courtesy of WCR Center for the Arts)<\/p>\n

YogaSing is the combination of the physical and spiritual freedom of yoga with vocal technique and training. YogaSing helps singers of all ages expand their breath support, free their voices, and decrease their mind-body stress.<\/p>\n

The YogaSing practice demonstrates the fact that every movement \u2014 physical and vocal alike \u2014 is rooted in the breath. YogaSing helps singers build core strength and awareness, which improves breath management, helps provide more stamina, and encourages ease of movement onstage.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe directors and I are so excited for our singers to work with Suzanne,\u201d said Megan Charlesworth, executive director, Berks Youth Chorus. \u201cThis is an incredible opportunity for the students to develop their singing technique, and I hope they will be able to draw upon what they learn as they continue to grow as musicians,\u201d<\/p>\n

Theater<\/p>\n

Reading Civic Theatre presents the Tony, Drama Desk, and Olivier Award nominated musical \u201cSister Act\u201d, based on the hilarious 1992 award-winning movie starring Whoopie Goldberg, opening April 10 and continuing April 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19. All performances will be presented at the RCT venue located at 4350 Perkiomen Ave., Exeter Township.<\/p>\n

\"AppearingAppearing in Reading Civic Theatre’s production of “Sister Act” are, from left, Melisse Weber, Jeffrey Yoder, Davina Lopez, Kelly Kantner, Sofia Stankiewicz, Jeannette DeAngelo and Shirley Pisano. (Jessica Reber)<\/p>\n

Tickets are available at\u00a0www.readingcivic.org<\/a> and range from $25-$35. Curtain for all Friday and Saturday performances is at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n

Set in Philadelphia in the late 1970s disco era, this joyful musical centers around a nightclub singer, Deloris, who witnesses a murder committed by her boyfriend, and is subsequently protected by the police who hide her in a convent filled with a team of welcoming, inquisitive, tone-deaf nuns. With her musical background, Deloris teaches the nuns what it means to work together to make beautiful music that even Pope Paul XI appreciates! This group learns the true meaning of sisterhood along the way, and we learn that our true calling can be found in the most unexpected ways.<\/p>\n

The show is directed by Stephen A. Stankiewicz, with musical direction by Amy Hudak and choreography by Helen Veet. Costumes are coordinated by Carolyn Smith, lighting design by Jeff Cusano, technical direction by Brandon Kegerise, and set construction by Ed Stallman. The producer is Jeannette DeAngelo, and the stage manager is Mary Susan Stankiewicz.<\/p>\n

This production will include a live band featuring Patrick Grinage and Charles Troxel on keyboards, Owen Farrell on reeds, Austin Harak on guitar, Jesse Detweiler on bass, and Todd Feathers on drums.<\/p>\n

The cast is led by RCT newcomer Davina Lopez as Deloris. The remainder of the cast includes Melisse Weber, Sofia Stankiewicz, Kelly Kantner, Betsy Chapman, Jeff Yoder, Matthew Allen, James Barksdale, Cody Hoppes, James Francisco, Kyriakos Vachaviolos, Shirley Pisano, Jeannette DeAngelo, Tatiana Roche, Natalie Kulaga, Luke Romanski, Delia Misciagna, Karen Pepe, Tim Allen, Nicole Dalton, Chrissy Anne Lawson, Dave Bitler, Rick Fisher, and Megan Martin.<\/p>\n

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