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Award-Winning BCCC Floral Design Program Returns to the Philadelphia Flower Show
After a stunning debut in 2025, students are creating a ‘Rooted in Art’ theme for the 2026 show that runs February 28 – March 8 Bucks County Community College’s floral design program returns to the Philadelphia Flower Show February 28 – March 8 after a stunning debut last year, when students took home a silver medal from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
Stemming from the show’s theme of “Rooted: Origins of American Gardening,” the College’s exhibit is called “Rooted in Art,” reflecting BCCC’s origins of being founded on the Newtown estate of artist and educational philanthropist Stella Elkins Tyler.
“’Rooted in Art’ is a celebration of where creativity begins, and how it grows,” said Renee Tucci, a floral design instructor at the College and national president of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD). “It tells a story deeply rooted in the vision of Stella Elkins Tyler. Her lifelong love of art, and her unwavering dedication to education, helped shape the rich and diverse creative programs that thrive at Bucks today. She is the root from which it all began.”
The exhibit features seven original floral designs, each interpreting the connection between nature, art, and education, alongside six selected student works from the College’s School of Arts and Communication.
“These pieces — representing ceramic, jewelry, woodworking, photography, and drawing — highlight the collaborative spirit and cross-disciplinary creativity that define the Bucks community,” Tucci noted. “A highlight of the exhibit will be a bronze sculpture of Joan of Arc, created by Tyler herself.”
Lead floral design students taking part are: Amparito Arriaga, CFD (Certified Floral Designer); Isabelle Kondel, Karen Kuyper, Jennifer O’Donnell, CFD; Lauren O’Leary; mother-daughter duo Els Poff, CFD and Melanie Poff, CFD; Mary Rigau, Maria Salinas, Melinda Spink, and Linda Weinberger, CFD.
Art students whose works are featured in the exhibit are: Mason Chase, Payton Ferri, Crystal Grey, Layne Griffaton, Scott Menin, and Sofiya Vasyutinskaya.
Additionally, several students and instructors from the program will be featured on the 6ABC show “FYI Philly” on Saturday, February 28, as part of its Philadelphia Flower Show segment. The special feature will give viewers an inside look at the creative process behind the production and installation of the "Rooted in Art” exhibit.
The BCCC Floral Design program, which offers both certificate and degree options, provides students with hands-on experience and a solid foundation in the art of floristry. As an Educational Partner with the AIFD, the program equips students with the skills necessary to pursue careers in event design, floral retail, and more. Students have the opportunity to become a Certified Floral Designer (CFD) by completing the comprehensive curriculum. For more information, visit the Floral Design Certificate Program web page.
Three Poets Laureate Gather for Wordsmiths Reading Series at BCCC
The Wordsmiths Reading Series at Bucks County Community College proudly presents three former Bucks County Poets Laureate who will read from their latest published works at 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 27, on the Newtown Campus.
Joseph Chelius, who was named Bucks County Poet Laureate in 2000, will be joined by 1983 Poet Laureate W.D. Ehrhart and 2020 Poet Laureate Jane Edna Mohler. The reading, which is free and open to the public, takes place in room 142 of historic Tyler Hall.
About Joseph Chelius
Joseph Chelius is the author of “Playing Fields” (2025) and four previous collections of poems: “Taking Pitches” and “Row House Yards” (Pudding House Chapbook Series, 2006 and 2011), and “The Art of Acquiescence” and “Crossing State Lines” (WordTech Communications, 2014 and 2020). In addition to being named Bucks County Poet Laureate in 2000, he was the first-place winner of the inaugural short fiction contest at Bucks County Community College.
His work appears in Cider Press Review, Commonweal, Poet Lore, Poetry East, Rattle, THINK, and other journals. A semi-retired editor and editorial director in the healthcare communications industry, Chelius and his wife have two grown children and have lived in Bucks County for 32 years.
About W.D. Ehrhart
W. D. Ehrhart, the 1983 Bucks County Poet Laureate, is a Vietnam War veteran, a dedicated anti-war activist, and author of the memoir “Vietnam-Perkasie,” among other books. He’s also a regular contributor of nonfiction articles to Current Affairs, and is the first poet to be published in its pages. His new poetry collection, “Smart Fish Don’t Bite,” is available from Moonstone Press.
Ehrhart’s poems present straightforward, candid portrayals of experience. He has written about the Vietnam War, but subjects also include encounters with friends and family, and observations of the world around him — for instance, the death of a friend, memories of his grandmother, and his urban Philadelphia neighborhood. He has cited his wife and daughter as influences on his writing.
About Jane Edna Mohler
Jane Edna Mohler is the 2020 Bucks County Poet Laureate and winner of the 2016 Main Street Voices prize. Recent publications include “Gargoyle” and “One Art.” Her collections, “Broken Umbrellas” (2019) and “Autumn Clears” (2025), were both published by Kelsay Books. Mohler is poetry editor of the Schuylkill Valley Journal. She is also an American traditional rug hooker and a devoted gardener.
Another Wordsmiths Reading in April
A USA TODAY best-selling novelist rounds out the spring Wordsmiths Reading Series when Jamie Brenner reads from her works at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16. Her novels include “The Forever Summer,” “Blush,” and the forthcoming trilogy “Blue Angel.” After raising two daughters in New York City, Brenner now lives in Bucks County — the inspiration for her recent novel “The Weekend Crashers.“
The Wordsmiths Reading Series is another way that Bucks County Community College connects the community with the region’s vibrant literary heritage. The series, which is free and open to the public, is funded by the College’s Cultural Affairs Committee. To learn more, visit the Wordsmiths Reading Series webpage or contact the School of Language & Literature at langandlit@bucks.edu or 215-968-8150.
Bucks County Community College’s Newtown Campus is located at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., 18940, where there is ample free parking. For a campus map and directions, visit the Newtown campus webpage.
Bucks County High School Writing Contests - Call for Entries
Bucks County Community College invites high school scribes to enter the annual short fiction and poetry contests for the opportunity to win prizes and to read their works at a public reception.
Both contests – which are free to enter – are open to students in grades 9 – 12 who attend high school in Bucks County or live in Bucks County. Home-schooled Bucks County high school students are also eligible. Previous winners are not eligible.
Short fiction contest deadline: March 11
For the short fiction contest, now in its ninth year, each student may submit one original short story of 5 -10 double-spaced pages by noon Wednesday, March 11. All entries must be submitted online. Stories must be unpublished and completely original (no fan fiction is permitted). Complete rules and the entry form can be found on our high school short fiction contest webpage.
The first-place winner will receive a $200 honorarium, the second-place winner will receive a $100 honorarium, and the third-place winner will receive a $50 honorarium. The winners will be invited to read from their work at a celebration on campus in April. Faculty will serve as judges. For more information, contact contest director Professor Elizabeth Luciano at elizabeth.luciano@bucks.edu.
Poetry contest deadline: March 13
Meanwhile, the 39th Annual High School Poet of the Year contest is accepting entries through Friday, March 13. Students may submit three original poems for the chance to win $300. In addition, the winner will receive a proclamation from the Bucks County Commissioners, and the opportunity to read at a public reception. Runners-up and finalists in the contest will also be invited to read at the public event.
The contest will be judged by 2025 Bucks County Poet Laureate Madeline Marriott and 2024 laureate Lake Angela. An online entry form can be found on the high school poet of the year webpage. To learn more, contact Dr. Ethel Rackin, director of the Bucks County Poet Laureate program which runs the high school poetry contest, at ethel.rackin@bucks.edu.
BCCC Announces Spring Art Exhibitions at Upper and Lower Bucks Campuses
Bucks County Community College invites artists and community members to experience two vibrant Spring 2026 art exhibitions at both the Upper Bucks and Lower Bucks campuses, each celebrating original artwork while supporting student scholarships. The exhibitions are free and open to the public and highlight the work of regional artists while fostering creative engagement across the community.
At the Upper Bucks Campus in Perkasie, the Spring Art Showcase will be presented at the Fickes Gallery from Monday, February 23 through Friday, April 10. An opening reception, free and open to the public, will be held at the Fickes Gallery on Friday, February 27 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Open to all artists, the non-juried exhibition has no required theme and welcomes both two- and three-dimensional original artwork. Artists may submit up to three works for sale with a $20 entry fee. A 25 percent commission on all sales benefits the Upper Bucks Campus scholarship fund. The registration deadline for the Upper Bucks Campus Spring Art Showcase is Wednesday, February 18. Full submission guidelines, deadlines, and exhibition details are available on the Fickes Gallery webpage.
The Gallery at the Epstein Campus at Lower Bucks in Bristol will host Show Some HeART!, a non-juried exhibition featuring original artwork in a variety of mediums, with all works priced at $150 with a portion of each sale benefitting the Epstein Campus at Lower Bucks scholarship fund. The exhibition will be on view from Monday, February 9 through Thursday, April 9, with a free and open-to-the-public opening reception on Friday, February 13 from 6 to 8 p.m.
The artwork for both exhibitions is presented in public campus gallery spaces and is selected for quality, originality, and suitability for viewers of all ages. Community members are welcome to attend the exhibitions and opening receptions to support the arts and student scholarships at Bucks County Community College.
The Upper Bucks Campus is located at One Hillendale Road, Perkasie, PA 18944. The Fickes Gallery is located on the ground floor of the North Building.
The Epstein Campus at Lower Bucks is located at 1304 Veterans Highway, Bristol, PA 19007. The Gallery at the Lower Bucks Campus is located on the first floor of the main academic building. There is ample free parking available at both campuses.
BCCC Presents Valentine's Concert Featuring Keith and Amy Spencer
Bucks County Community College helps you kick off the Valentine’s season with “Love, Always: An Evening of Romance Inspired by the Great American Songbook, Broadway, and Classic Pop” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 13.
Keith and Amy Spencer warmly invite you to a heartfelt concert filled with love songs that have stood the test of time. The baritone and soprano bring their real-life romance to the stage, with music that captures every shade of love, from first sparks to lifelong devotion.
The program draws from the Great American Songbook and features the elegance of classic Broadway and Hollywood favorites alongside beloved pop ballads from the '60s, '70s, and '80s. It’s brought to life by an extraordinary jazz ensemble made up of some of the finest musicians in the Philadelphia area.
The curtain rises in the Zlock Performing Arts Center on the Newtown Campus at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., where there is ample free parking. Come early for refreshments at the Zlock Lobby Bar, opening at 6 p.m. (cash only). Learn more and purchase tickets at the Zlock Performing Arts Center.
The show is part of the Bucks Live! series of innovative programs that entertain, inspire, and enrich Bucks County’s cultural landscape. Take in world-class live music, dance, and theatrical performances close to home and at an affordable price. Explore more opportunities at the Zlock Performing Arts Center.
BCCC Launches America 250 Celebration with Civics Series Kickoff
Former Governor Mark Schweiker and State Representative Tim Brennan helped kick off the College’s year-long American Civics Series on January 29 at the Newtown Campus Bucks County Community College officially launched a year-long American Civics Series in celebration of America 250 with a forum titled “Why Civics Now? The Role of Informed Citizens in Democracy” on Thursday, January 29 on the Newtown Campus. The forum and Q&A featured Former Governor Mark Schweiker, a BCCC alumnus who serves as honorary co-chair of the statewide America250PA effort, and State Representative Tim Brennan (D-29).
The event also introduced upcoming America 250 programming, including an eight-week civics education course from March through May. For event details and registration information, visit Bucks Celebrates America 250.
Former Governor Mark Schweiker, the honorary co-chair of America250PA, and State Representative Tim Brennan (D-29) kicked off the College’s America 250 celebration at the official launch of a year-long American Civics Series on January 29 at the Newtown Campus. Members of the College’s Board of Trustees, students, faculty, staff, and community members were in attendance. (CREDIT: Eric Parker, BCCC)
Former Governor Mark Schweiker, honorary co-chair of America250PA, spoke about the pivotal role citizenship plays in today’s society at Bucks County Community College January 29. The BCCC alumnus emphasized that civic-minded action is what drives the robust volunteer sector across the United States, and highlighted how engaged, informed citizens strengthen communities and our democracy. (CREDIT: Eric Parker, BCCC)
At a public forum January 29 at Bucks County Community College, State Representative Tim Brennan (D-29) noted that a strong culture of volunteerism is at the very core of citizenship. State Representative Brennan reinforced the idea that civic participation, whether through service, voting, or local engagement, is essential to sustaining a healthy democracy. (CREDIT: Eric Parker, BCCC)
