Verna Seagreaves (1913-2000) of Breinigsville, Pa., was a skilled watercolor artist deserving of recognition among folk art circles. Unlike her better known artisan husband, redware potter James Christian Seagreaves (1913-97), Verna never produced her artwork on a prolific scale. She was a music teacher by profession, teaching in the Alburtis and East Penn School District, from which she retired. She was also the organist and choir director for 28 years at Zion Lehigh Lutheran Church in Alburtis and also for the Church of the Good Shepherd in Alburtis. Verna was a watercolorist for roughly 40 years. Self-taught, Verna mainly worked in the Grandma Moses style of folk painting. Her work was exhibited in 1999 at the Historical Society of Berks County (now the Berks History Center). Like her husbands, Verna s artwork is known for the use of bold colors. For a time period, she also assisted Jim in his pottery studio. She often signed press molded pieces she boldly glazed with her initials, VAS, and also, Verna. The artistic couple married in 1941, first living in Alburtis, Pa., until 1961, when then moved to Breinigsville. In 1966, the Seagreaves joined the Reading-Berks Chapter of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsman. Their work is still regionally collected by those interested in Pennsylvania German arts. In 2018, in Fogelsville, Pa., father/son auction team of Woody and Eric Zettlemoyer held three sales on behalf of Jim and Verna s daughter, Claudia, who lives in Colorado and was downsizing. Two highlights from one of those auctions was a large folk painting depicting Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden painted by Verna, selling for $1,925. An unframed winter scene depicting a large folky Belsnickel by Verna sold for $1,595. Today, 20th century Pennsylvania German folk paintings by Hattie Brunner dominate the headlines. In the eyes of some people, paintings by Verna Seagreaves far exceed Hattie Brunners work in terms of folk art expression, vibrant color, and overall execution. Brunners work has more primitive qualities, and Seagreaves has finer detail. The output in work by Seagreaves is a small fraction of Brunners, which is a factor in how the marketplace reacts to an artisans work. The market is not saturated with Brunners paintings, yet there are enough to garner an audience. There are not many Seagreaves paintings out there to gain traction among folk art collectors, but when one comes out at a show or sale, people rightfully take notice of their merit. Photos courtesy of a private collector.