DOYLESTOWN, PA – The James A. Michener Art Museum will present a memorial exhibition of the artwork of Holly Berry Huynh in the museum’s Education Gallery April 7 through 22, kicking off the Holly Berry Huynh Scholarship Endowment.
When art teachers at the Michener Art Museum talk about Holly Berry Huynh, their faces light with joy. “She had amazing energy, and compassion for her fellow students,” said her painting teacher Megan Moyer.
“She was a delight – always smiling, always attentive, always collaborating, always inspired,” said sculpture teacher Robin Lane.
“She was a gifted artist who could master any technique, was open to exploring any process, and always made class fun,” said drawing teacher Cara Alderfer.
Holly called the museum her second home. She took pride in knowing about the collections, and was happy to share her excitement about the galleries with her parents, relatives, neighbors, and friends who joined her Fridays for children’s art exhibitions. As a 9-year-old, she had been looking forward to enrolling in the museum’s Fashion Design classes. She was also looking forward to giving her own tour to Groveland Elementary School classmates on their annual field trip in December 2012.
But Holly’s life was cut short in a tragic automobile accident in November 2012.
“Every day that we see a beautiful sunset or a rainbow in the sky, every moment we stop to reflect on the peace and beauty in our surroundings, and every time we imagine a magical transformation, may we also remember Holly, now painting on an entirely new canvas,” said Holly’s mother Colleen.
The Holly Berry Huynh Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund at the Michener Art Museum has been established by Holly’s family, friends, and hundreds of community members. Through their efforts, the fund reached the $25,000 goal and will continue to seek donations to build the endowment for scholarships.
It is a named endowed fund that will generate revenue in perpetuity. Ongoing individual donations will keep Holly’s inspiration and spirit alive in the Education Center at the James A. Michener Art Museum. Fourth-grade teachers from Groveland Elementary School have also made a contribution to help a deserving student attend a summer camp program free of charge this year.
The primary purpose of the endowment is to provide tuition assistance for students in preschool through grade 12 who demonstrate artistic ability and financial need and wish to enroll in the James A. Michener Art Museum’s art classes. All scholarship awardees are granted a one-year family membership to the Michener Art Museum so that the awardees’ family may enjoy the museum experience along with their child. The money will also be used to help organizations working with underserved populations bring their student groups to the museum.
The memorial exhibition is being curated by Ruth Anderson, Director of Youth and Family Programs at the Michener. The exhibition will feature the unveiling of a permanent installation of Holly’s artwork in the museum’s Education Center, an acrylic titled “Circle of Life.” The exhibition will include several works created by Holly in the 11 classes she took at the Michener.
Her interests ranged from painting to sculpture, from drawing to mural making, and from Asian arts to comic books. Anderson is grateful to be part of this family’s journey. “It is amazing that they have helped us all find a way to move through this tragedy in a positive way. Because of this endowment, Holly’s creative spark and kind spirit will be with us forever,” said Anderson.
Family friend Sue Ketcham has matted all the work for the show. “Holly had the soul of an artist. She made some form of art everyday. She had a richness of spirit that was absolutely engaging. Her life was short, but it was wide; very wide. She will truly be missed.”
The memorial exhibition runs April 7 through April 22, with an opening reception April 7 from 1 to 3 pm. This event is free and open to the public.
If interested in applying for a scholarship, contact Ruth Anderson, Director of Youth and Family Programs, at 215-340-9800 ext. 126 or [email protected]. To make a contribution to the fund, contact Laurie McGahey, Senior Director of Advancement, at 215-340-9800 ext. 161 or [email protected].
The James A. Michener Art Museum is located at 138 South Pine St., Doylestown, Pa. Museum hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 am to 4:30 pm;
Saturday 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday noon to 5 pm. Admission: Members and children under 6, free; adults $15; seniors $13; college student with valid ID $11; ages 6-18 $7.50; under 6 free. For more information, visit www.michenerartmuseum.org or call 215-340-9800.
Annual support for the Michener Art Museum is provided by the Bucks County Commissioners and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.