March/April 2026
what’s in
Volume 65 Issue 2
First Time Visitor to the GoggleWorks
THIS ISSUE
Local Spots
A photo by Braden Livingston showcasing the Brandon Clay Smith: Convulsive Motion Exhibit.
Comics
Mental Health
Braden Livingston Contributing Editor The GoggleWorks is a hub for all forms of art in the city of Reading. The Goggleworks showcases art from many different media including both physical media like paintings and photography, as well as performance media such as cinema and dance. Inside the primary building are many exhibits that cycle through the works of various artists, showcasing a collection of their work in a beautifully organized showcase. There are usually multiple things going on that anyone can come and look at for free. While you’re on the first floor, you can also stop by the Boscov Theater to watch independent films on the big screen while enjoying some popcorn. The GoggleWorks displays art but also works through programming to create more art. Goggleworks provides
local support and classes to help teach everyone, young and old, new ways to express themselves through different mediums of art. While I spent the last three years in Reading for school, I never spent the time to go and visit the Goggleworks until this year. I came with a few friends who were also new to the GoggleWorks and were interested in seeing all the different art exhibitions. The kindness of the staff is the first thing many people notice. It was clear that they all enjoyed what they were doing and had a genuine passion for art. The first floor featured two major exhibits when we were there. The Stephanie Rado Taormina: Time & Transformation exhibition, which was full of work from the artist over the last two decades. In the room over was
the Brandon Clay Smith: Convulsive Motion exhibition. Smith’s work is inspired by the description of Frankenstein’s monster’s limbs from Mary Shelley’s original novel. The gallery is full of amazing paintings of different parts of the body, all made to convey different emotions through the stillness and movement of the paintings. The entire first floor was amazing, and it even had a lounge to relax in. The second-floor features classrooms and rental studios for local artists. Many of the studios had artwork strung inside, as well as more art along the hallway walls. They even had a community chalk wall that was open for anyone to draw on, and it was full of many fun drawings. We even left a few of our own for others to see. Seeing all the classrooms and the opportunities that
Sports
Photo by Braden Livingston of the second-floor hallway, showcasing a bit of the art by local artists at the GoggleWorks.
this place provides was nice as it looks like the perfect environment to grow my own artistic talent. Others with me agreed. “Honestly, if I lived a little closer, I think I would take one of the photography classes here,” Emmitt Ngo, Alvernia student, said. There were a few more floors past the second floor, but it was getting late, and we had to take our leave. I left the GoggleWorks more excited and artistically inspired than I thought I would, and the feeling was mutual between my friends who joined me. From the paper mache to hand-drawn art to paintings, I found everything to be interesting and unique,” Gianni Cocco said. “They even had a theatre! It was a fun experience.” I already plan to go back with a few other people once the exhibits on the upper floors open, as I want to see the kind of artwork that will be displayed there. I also want to experience the Boscov Theater, since we didn’t get the chance. I also want to spend a bit more time on the upper floors next time. Overall, I highly recommend dedicating a few hours to exploring all that the GoggleWorks has to offer. Consider taking one of their classes. They offer classes for almost any form of art, and learning how to make your own art from skilled artisans is an amazing opportunity.