By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times

“Beetles” by Jeff Schaller will creatively co-exist with horses at the annual Delaware Valley Point-to-Point Association’s 2013 Awards Party, which will be held at the old Lipkin’s warehouse in Coatesville on June 28.

The president of the Unionville-based Delaware Valley Point-to-Point (DVA) Association wants area residents to reframe their view of Coatesville.

Toward that end, Don Cochran has organized the 2013 DVA Awards Party  on June 28 at the former Lipkin’s warehouse that offers a fresh lens – as well as a dazzling display: exhibits by acclaimed area artists Dane Tilghman and Jeff Schaller, awards for horses that include Laffy Taffy and Mookie Monster, videos of steeplechase events, refreshments and lively conversation.

“I grew up in the area and have lasting memories of better times. My office for the past 13 years has been in the heart of town,” said Cochran. “With my purchase of the Lipkin’s warehouse, I hope to play a small role in the city’s turnaround. My first step is to introduce our membership to Coatesville, with the hope that they will experience it as a place with potential – not just a place you just drive through.”

Dane Tilghman’s “Jazz” is expected to add a high note to the annual Delaware Valley Point-to-Point Association’s award ceremony, which will be held June 28 in Coatesville.

The idea of combining the equestrian awards with local art in the old furniture building has delighted some of the participants, including Lindsay Brinton, who heads the Art Partners Studio, which is organizing the exhibit. Calling the event “a fabulous way to introduce Unionville neighbors to Coatesville,” Brinton said it showcases “the potential for art in impromptu settings,” something that is needed throughout the county. She said she also appreciates seeing “a business person take the lead to change the lens most use when looking at Coatesville.”

Artists Schaller and Tilghman agreed. “It’s about time artists in Chester County had a large art building for impromptu exhibitions – and what an awesome space this is. Floors of open, empty warehouse levels, awesome paint peeling, brick, cement, plywood windows … you get the idea! Thanks to the association and Art Partners Studio for inviting us to be a part of this award night,” they said in a prepared statement.

Schaller’s Pink Cow Studio is located in Downingtown. His pop, edgy work utilizes a contemporary, expressionistic approach with powerful brush strokes. Working in encaustic, he weaves lost and found images and words to paint with a precision and intricacy not normally found in that medium, Brinton said. Schaller holds a bachelor’s of fine arts from Arcadia University, and has shown both nationally and internationally, from Chicago to Switzerland. Business 2 Business named him one of the top five most influential artists in Chester County.

Dane Tilghman’s studio is in Coatesville, where he creates vivid, colorful, and warm subjects ranging from jazz musicians to Negro League baseball players to vignettes of Americana. His images incorporate surrealism and elongation, Brinton said. He has been recognized nationally with a mural on Turner Stadium in Atlanta, art in the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum in Cooperstown, and private collections, including Bill Cosby, Nelson Mandela, the estate of Ossie Davis, the Nabisco Corporation, Merck, MBNA, and Prudential.

The DVA awards are presented each year to the owners, riders, and trainers who have earned points during three steeplechase events:  Cheshire Foxhounds, which was held March 31; Brandywine Hills, April 7; and Fair Hills, April 21. The 2013 honors will go to: Laffy Taffy, Prince Caspian, Mookie Monster, Idol Maker, Seize Power, Lear of The Cat, Thermostat, Billy Meister, Martin Rohan and Becky Dang, Cochran said.

Cochran said he received a one-day permit from the city to hold the art and awards ceremony, which begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 28. He said the event is not limited to DVA members. Anyone who would like to attend needs to RSVP by tomorrow, June 21, by calling 610-384-4290 or emailing doncochranwci@gmail.com. The warehouse is located at 139 E. Chestnut St.

To learn more about other offerings at Art Partners Studio, such as summer art camps or classes, call (610) 384-3030 or visit www.artpartnersstudio.org. More information on the featured artists can be found at www.itsatilghman.com or www.jeffschaller.com.