About Phillips' Mill Community Association

The Beauty of Phillips' Mill

Joe Gyurcsak “Opening Night”

The Phillips’ Mill is an actual mill, a strong yet charming stone structure that was once a working grist mill. In the old days, farmers brought their grain to be ground into flour, sharing the news and discussing current events around the old grindstone. Today it’s a unique performing and visual arts center, welcoming artists, photographers, playwrights and art mavens from around the region to its rustic campus.

This is the beauty of Phillips’ Mill. It is so many things to so many people, from history buffs and fine artists to nature lovers and local folks. Around the region, “the Mill” is kind of an icon—a symbol of our industrial past, the birthplace of Pennsylvania Impressionism, and a highly respected arts organization. To the members of our community association, it is just “home.”

The Phillips’ Mill Community Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of the arts and the preservation of the artistic and cultural heritage of the Bucks County area.

Equity & Inclusion

The Phillips’ Mill Community Association is an artistic intellectual community strengthened by diversity. The Mill’s values and practices ensure that all people—including but not limited to those who have been historically underrepresented based on race/ethnicity, age, disability, LGBTQ+, gender, socioeconomic status, geography, citizenship status, or religion—are represented in the Mill’s policies and programs.

We also acknowledge that Phillips’ Mill is on the ancestral lands of the Lenape Haki-nk (Lenni-Lenape) people.
[The above statement was influenced by the AmericansForTheArts.org Statement on Culture & Equity.]

What THE MILL MEANS TO US

Phillips’ Mill is closely associated with one of the most prestigious art shows in the region. Now in its 95th year, the Phillips’ Mill Juried Art Show attracts top talent and serious art collectors. The success and prestige of the show may have put Phillips’ Mill on the map, but it also helped to launch a variety of other programs and activities, as well as these highly anticipated signature events: the Phillips’ Mill Photo Exhibition, the Phillips’ Mill Youth Art Exhibition and the Phillips’ Mill Emerging Playwright Competition.

Yet, as a community association, we are more than these four events. While we always knew this, it became especially apparent during the coronavirus pandemic when the Mill was closed to the public and our in-person events were postponed for more than a year. Our community never stopped looking to us for inspiration, connection and purpose. It is during difficult times that people need the arts even more, and through Phillips’ Mill, they also felt a sense of community and belonging.

Members enjoying an art event at the Phillips' Mill.

We soon discovered that we could actually reach more people when we started to share stories and artwork online. It opened up a world of possibilities and motivated us to launch new programs and expand our reach on some wonderful platforms we didn’t even know existed.

We have gone behind the scenes and into the studios of area artists in a new series of discussions called ArtTalk. We have started to record these fascinating discussions so more people can “meet" the artists who make Bucks County such a renowned arts scene.

As we continue to expand our communications and broaden our audience with content that educates, inspires and entertains people wherever they may be, we remain steadfast in our commitment to preserve the Mill so that people can gather there for generations to come.

Our community is growing and changing and needs the support of dedicated volunteers to continue to move forward. There are many ways to support the work and mission of the Phillips' Mill Community Association. Won’t you join us?

Membership

Our Programs

Phillips’ Mill Community Association offers programs in art, theater and photography for children and adults. Our committees promote the art and culture of Bucks County through the following activities:

Art

The cornerstone of this program is The Phillips’ Mill Juried Art Show, which holds an exhibit each year in the fall. First held in 1929, the show attracts the best work of hundreds of artists living within a 25-mile radius of the Mill. Over a thousand people visit the show each year. All art is for sale—oils, watercolors, mixed media, pastels, and drawings as well as sculpture. The Art Exhibition Committee invests a great deal of time and energy to ensure the continued success of this historic exhibition.

A Youth Art Exhibition has traditionally been on display at the Mill each January, although the 2021 exhibition is now online. The works of students from more than 20 area high schools are represented in this show, which draws a great deal of attention to aspiring artists in the region.

In addition, the Phillips’ Mill Art Program promotes local artists through a variety of channels, including its own ArtTalk series and social media channels and this website in the Artist Spotlight page.

LEARN MORE

Amanda Penecale “Cliffs in Autumn-Ottsville Pa”

Drama

The Phillips’ Mill Drama Program produces several popular shows, including original musical comedies and cabarets featuring the music of well-known songwriters. Seating for these performances is cabaret style; guests are invited to bring their own snacks and libations. The Drama Committee and the enthusiastic thespians, singers and dancers who produce the shows always seem to have as good a time as the audience.

In addition, the Drama Program is introducing a Playwriting Challenge for youth called "Play with Words" in 2022.

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Photography

An ambitious and very enthusiastic group of photographers presents a Photo Exhibit each spring at the Mill. It is regarded as the premier annual juried photography show in Bucks County, with many hundreds of visitors each year. What makes the show so distinct is that there is no set theme, which results in a wide variety of images, including some digitally altered photographs. The exhibit receives both framed and digital submissions from artists across the country.

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Donna Lovely “Abandoned Series – Ragtime Relic”

Donna D. Lovely “Abandoned Series: Ragtime Relic”

There are many ways to support the work and mission of the Phillips' Mill Community Association. The official registration and financial information of the Phillips’ Mill Community Association (PMCA) may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1 (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. The Internal Revenue Service has determined that the PMCA is an organization described in §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore contributions to it are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Support the Mill

Phillips' Mill Community Association

The Beauty of Phillips' Mill

Equity & Inclusion

What THE MILL MEANS TO US

Our Programs

Art

Drama

Photography

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