Family Finds Art, Culture and Community in Skippack Village …

Harry & Sylvia Wolf

Harry and Sylvia Wolf, owners of Green Wolf’s Village Barn Shoppes located at 4010 Skippack Pike, started their journey in Skippack over forty years ago. They were among the handful of shop owners who founded the renowned Skippack Days Arts & Crafts Festival in 1972. The festival, celebrated annually during the first weekend in October, showcases artist and artisans from the surrounding area. In keeping with this tradition, on September 25, 2009, The Village Barn will introduce a Bi-Monthly Art Exhibit featuring the work of such artisans.

Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting Harry and Sylvia knows their passion for art, from painting to sculpture, weaving to glass blowing, to the artists and artisans who create it all. Harry himself is an artisan by trade, as both a master cabinet and fine furniture maker.

As a student at The George School, located in Newtown , Pennsylvania , Harry was captivated by the art of woodworking at a young age. While working in real estate in his early years, Harry continued to dabble in his first love - furniture construction, repair and restoration. In fact, it was as a woodworker that Harry came to meet his future wife.

Harry was introduced to Sylvia Green, a resident of Harleysville, who had a piece of furniture that was in need of repair. They both found a shared love for art, culture and community. After marrying they purchased a German farmhouse built in the 1840’s, where Sylvia could establish her children’s clothing shop, The Poor Match Girl. In 1967 the farmhouse was in serious disrepair, and to this day Harry and Sylvia continue to joke “… we did not buy a house … we bought walls.” Today the home is a testament to Harry and Sylvia’s hard work and effort.

The Village Barn is adjacent to the Wolf’s home and stands as a modern interpretation of a barn. The barn was designed and constructed by Harry around an old chicken coop. In 1969 he established Fox and Wolf, originally a furniture stripping and repair business, which now focuses on fine furniture and cabinet making. Harry is now celebrating his 40th year in business. His quality craftsmanship can be found in homes and businesses throughout the Tri-State Area.

As Skippack Village continues to evolve, The Village Barn offers a glimpse into a simpler time, and is a place where Harry and Sylvia share their love for Americana , art, and history with the community.

Today, Green Wolf’s Village Barn Shoppes continue to offer a wide array of shopping in the rural and quaint setting of Skippack Village . Harry and Sylvia are excited to announce the addition of their new Bi-Monthly Art Exhibit. This free exhibit will showcase the work of area artists and artisans. Many of the exhibitors are members of local art organizations and their work will be on exhibit at the barn every two weeks.

The idea of an art exhibit has been a dream of Harry and Sylvia’s for many years. “We always wanted to have a place where artists can come to exhibit and share their knowledge, especially with children” Sylvia excitedly states. Harry mentions “Our family is looking forward to sharing our love of art with everyone... we see this exhibit as a great addition to Skippack and the region.”

The Village Barn is now home to five shops, a preview of Gift’s From Our Loving Husbands – an exhibit of 19th & 20th century household inventions designed to make a woman’s work “easier”, and historic Skippack memorabilia.

For featured artist information, store hours, town events, as well as other wonderful local links, please visit www.greenwolfsvillagebarn.com

Harry and Sylvia welcome you!