Past meets Present in On Board at The Art Trust

Victoria Rose
6 days ago
3 min read

The Art Trust at Meridian Bank has been a core part of the local art community since it opened in 2006, celebrating the vibrant contemporary art scene of the Brandywine Valley. Located in Downtown West Chester, its regular rotation of exhibitions showcases a wide range of artists, from established studios to under-represented groups. The new show, On Board, brings together work from sixteen past and present board members in a variety of mediums to chronicle their creativity and unique contributions to the gallery.

Weeds are Plants Too by Liz Ruff — *Weeds are Plants Too* by Liz Ruff

“As a lead in-to our 20th anniversary celebration in 2026, we want to introduce & celebrate the people who helped make The Art Trust what it is today,” said Liz Ruff, President of the Board of The Art Trust. “As board membership shifts, so does the focus—ever so slightly, with the overarching mission remaining intact.” Part of what The Art Trust has done is to show that contemporary art in the local community is on par with anything on view elsewhere. “We love to see the increased focus on the local art scene—with the Studio Tour and Chester County Art Association stepping up the visibility, people are recognizing the richness of our local art scene,” she said. “You don't need to go to New York to see and collect fantastic art.”

Foothills Taos Mtn by Diane Cirafesi — *Foothills Taos Mtn* by Diane Cirafesi

It takes a village to make a gallery like The Art Trust work, from the very start. “As a founding member of The Art Trust, it was exciting to help formulate the gallery, its mission, and its development,” said Diane Cirafesi, cofounder of the gallery and currently a member emeritus. She worked alongside fellow cofounders Ellie Byrom-Haley, Patricia Garruba Bazan, Valetta, and Chris Annas, CEO of Meridian Bank. “Its evolution and longevity are proof to its reputation as a viable gallery in the region, and a tribute to the ongoing creativity and innovation provided to the art community by its impressive board and its leadership,” she added.

Supreme Bliss by Constance McBride — *Supreme Bliss* by Constance McBride

You never know what you will see next at The Art Trust. It is a testament to the curators willing to take risks showing new works to audiences. “To support more experimental and edgier contemporary art in Chester County is huge for artists who aren't working in a strictly traditional genre,” said Constance McBride. “This rich art community continues to grow and since settling in here I've been thrilled to watch it happen,” she said. “The possibilities are endless.”

Feeling Blue by Mia Fabrizio — *Feeling Blue* by Mia Fabrizio

Many artists discovered The Art Trust by attending shows themselves, finding a community that supported a wide range of styles and points of view. Mia Fabrizio and her wife moved back to the area in 2021 and “spent the year showing up to everything,” especially venues that promoted contemporary art. “I think The Art Trust's promotion of contemporary art and artists has helped facilitate the broadening of the definition of ‘art’ with the local community,” said Mia Fabrizio, who joined the board in 2024. “My hope is that as an organization we continue to expand the community's notion of what constitutes art and artist.”

Into the Out by Ellie Byron-Haley — *Into the Out* by Ellie Byron-Haley

Supporting each other as well as giving artists a venue to get their work in front of new audiences is what The Art Trust is all about. “When you get to know the artist & they become friends, their artwork takes on a whole new wonderful perspective,” said Ruff. McBride agreed: “I hope visitors see that the diverse group of works in this show reflects what The Art Trust is about: committed to being inclusive and exhibiting works from a wide variety of artists every time they mount a new show.”