Tucked inside the rolling fields of Tyler State Park in Richboro, there’s a place where art and community intertwine so seamlessly that it feels less like a center and more like a living, breathing organism. The Tyler Park Center for the Arts (TPCA), with its historic barns, sculpture gardens, and welcoming studios, is the kind of place that has the power to change lives. And at the heart of it all is Jennifer Miller, artist, potter, activist, and executive director, whose story is now being told in a new half-hour documentary produced through New Hope Celebrates’ Artists & Authors, a project that highlights inspiring members of the LGBTQ community.
For Jennifer, having her life and work documented is both humbling and energizing. “I feel good about it,” she said. “There’s been amazing people in my life who have influenced me, and I think we are always doing that. If I can be a part of that and help inspire somebody, or teach somebody, or guide somebody on their path, then I’m all for sharing mine.”
Jennifer’s journey to becoming the founding director of TPCA was anything but straightforward. She grew up in California, studied English in college, and only discovered pottery as a side passion. That passion soon became her calling. “I didn’t grow up thinking I was going to run an art center,” she explained. “Pottery started as something fun, but I realized how much I loved it and just never stopped.”
In 2001, she started her pottery studio in the historic Tyler Barn, then home to the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen. A juried member of the Guild since 2000, Jennifer quickly made her mark. But when the Guild moved its headquarters to Lancaster in 2009, she stepped up. Rather than letting the site fade, she and her board took it over, transforming the barn into what is now TPCA.
“We saw ourselves as stewards of the space,” she recalled. “We renovated it, invested in the building, added beautiful sliding glass doors, and created the sculpture garden outside. From the start, my vision was to make it not just a place for artists, but a place for the whole community.”
Over the years, Jennifer’s vision has taken shape in remarkable ways. TPCA offers pottery, glass, jewelry, fine arts, fiber arts, and children’s programs year-round. Its flagship annual event, Crafts in the Meadow, held every October, has grown into a juried, highly respected show where artists sell work, demonstrate techniques, and perform alongside live music that channels the energy of New Orleans jazz.
“We’re really looking for the cream of the crop,” Jennifer said of the show. “It’s not just a craft fair; it’s above and beyond what people expect. Artists can make a living teaching workshops, selling their work, and doing what they love. And the community gets a place to learn, connect, and grow.”
For many, TPCA has become more than an art center; it’s a lifeline. “I hear testimonials all the time,” Jennifer shared. “People tell me this is their safe place, their happy place, what makes them want to wake up and be excited about the week ahead. That’s the kind of impact that makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
Jennifer’s work has always been rooted in inclusivity. As a member of the LGBTQ community living in New Hope-Solebury, she’s woven equity and diversity into the very fabric of TPCA. “We’ve always been welcoming and accepting of people from all paths of life,” she said. “Quite a number of my board members and artists have been part of the LGBTQ community. That diversity has helped shape what this place is today.”
Her connections to New Hope, a long-celebrated hub for LGBTQ culture, have been vital. Dan Brooks, a former New Hope Gazette editor and longtime board member of New Hope Celebrates, was instrumental in supporting Jennifer when she first took over TPCA. He later recommended her for the documentary series.
Jennifer’s leadership has extended outward, too. TPCA has offered scholarships to teens from the Rainbow Room, provided free nonprofit booths at Crafts in the Meadow, and, more recently, awarded $2,500 scholarships to Bucks County students pursuing careers in the arts. “It all comes back to giving back,” Jennifer said. “That’s been my life goal, and it’s the goal of our nonprofit, finding ways to help artists and art lovers succeed.”
The documentary, directed by Thomas Wick, dives deep into both Jennifer’s personal and professional life. Wick began filming in May, following Jennifer through classes, special pottery firings, and community events, even enduring grueling days beside the Japanese wood kiln in the summer heat.
“He completely embedded himself with me,” Jennifer laughed. “At first it was weird, but then I realized how dedicated he was. He really wanted to get to know me so he could do the best documentary possible.”
The film captures her evolution from activist during the first Iraq War to wife, grandmother, potter, and nonprofit leader. It portrays her family life; Jennifer and her wife are active in the raising of their 15-year-old grandson, alongside the spiritual and artistic practices that ground her.
“They’re trying to get an overview of who this Jennifer Miller is, why she’s interesting, and how she got to where she is,” she explained. “It’s not just about the art center—it’s about my journey and what inspires me.”
The documentary, now in its final stages, will be available on the New Hope Celebrates website under the Artists & Authors section, and may also screen at TPCA this winter.
Asked what she hopes audiences will take away from the film, Jennifer didn’t hesitate. “It’s important to listen to yourself and listen to the world around you and be present in order to find your way. I did a lot of work when I was younger to figure out how I could give back and be the person I was supposed to be. I feel like that’s happening, and I hope others can be inspired to do the same.”
At the same time, she hopes viewers will gain a deeper awareness of TPCA itself. “A lot of people drive past and don’t know what’s here,” she said. “By watching the documentary, maybe they’ll feel more connected to this place, instead of just seeing a barn behind the trees.”
For Jennifer, the future of TPCA isn’t about expansion, but about deepening its roots. “My goal isn’t to grow and become a corporate place,” she said. “I want us to keep evolving in ways that serve the community and the artists. To stay true to who we are.”
That philosophy echoes through every story of TPCA; stories of retirees finding new joy in creativity, children discovering talents, and artists making a livelihood. It’s a community that reflects Jennifer’s own journey: winding, resilient, and full of beauty.
As the documentary nears release, Jennifer is reflective but hopeful. “This has always been about giving people opportunities,” she said. “Whether it’s through a pottery class, a scholarship, or a community event; it’s about building a space where people can thrive. That’s what art does. It brings us together.”
