Five Free Programs For Kids And Teens At ArtFusion 19464

Pottstown, PA – Applications are now being accepted for five fun and free summer programs for kids and teens at ArtFusion 19464. Each program has been generously sponsored by The Greater Pottstown Foundation. These programs will take place at ArtFusion 19464’s new facility at the Beech St Factory (341 Beech St.).

Kids 8 to 12 can choose from Art Academy, a general arts exploration class, and Clay Academy, where students focus on pottery.  Older students ages 13 to 17 can participate in Teen Clay Studio, with a focus on independent pottery projects; Teen Mixed Media Studio, where students explore a variety of mediums with a great line up of instructors; or Poetry in Process, a new program focusing on poetry, song, music and storytelling.

The application deadline for these programs is May 31, 2017. Applications can be downloaded at artfusion19464.org/classes/scholarshipsprograms/. Interested parents can also stop by 254 E. High St. to pick up a paper copy.  Spaces will be filled on a first come, first served basis. While ArtFusion 19464 encourages everyone who is interested to apply, those students who qualify for free or reduced lunch and those who have not attended a free program at ArtFusion 19464 before will be given priority.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center currently located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills and independence through self-expression. ArtFusion 19464’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists.

ArtFusion 19464 Announces Addition Of New Staff

Pottstown, PA – ArtFusion 19464 is proud to announce that Laura Cousins-Washington has joined their staff as Development Coordinator of the Beech Street Factory Community Programs. As Development Coordinator, Washington is responsible for identifying and engaging the nonprofit organization’s local business and community partners, members and their families, and other funders and constituents to build and maintain a broad and growing base of annual support, grant funding, and endowment funding.

Executive Director and Co-Founder Erika-Hornburg Cooper said: “We are so happy to welcome Laura officially as staff. We know she will have a big impact on our future, helping ArtFusion 19464 to grow and transition our educational programming to a new facility in the Beech St. Factory.”

Previously Laura Cousins-Washington worked as Garden Manager of MOSAIC Community Land Trust Community Gardens, located in the Borough of Pottstown, for the past four years. Her goal at MOSAIC was to engage families, volunteers and supporters in order to spread the word about gardening, fitness, healthy eating and healthy lifestyles choices. Washington has overseen the development of two community gardens located on Chestnut Street and one permaculture garden located on Walnut Street. She is also a personal fitness trainer at Pottstown Athletic Club and Body Go Fitness and works as the coordinator for Schuylkill River Athletics.  Washington has a good understanding the needs of the community as it relates to empowering individuals. Washington coaches children and adults of all ages throughout the year in personal fitness, gardening/nutrition and in making healthier, long-term behavior changes.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion 19464’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Wednesday through Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm. Classes do run outside of gallery hours.

Mark Your Calendar For Another Spectacular Pottstown ArtsWalk – A Free Event – Saturday, May 6, 2017!

Pottstown, PA —“We have always recognized and embraced what the arts and collaboration can do for a community”, said Erika Hornburg-Cooper, ArtFusion19464. Join us for a day of discovery on Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 12 pm to 9 pm. Arts and culture organizations, local businesses and restaurants are teaming up to bring you an amazing day of fun, food and entertainment.

“The Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority (PDIDA) is excited to be a part in this venture. It has been very exciting to see our downtown community pull together with our arts and cultural organizations to create this amazing event,” states Sheila Dugan, PDIDA.

Viewing the art in a kind of “pub crawl” format adds to the fun and energetic quality of this event. Family-friendly activities are being planned. Nearly 20 downtown business will be open to showcase original artwork displays and live musical entertainment.

“It all starts with the arts!” said Lauren Pierson-Swanson, Steel River Playhouse. “To know Pottstown is to love it. The people behind the businesses and attractions on and around High Street are smart, driven and dedicated to this beautiful historic town. Art has always been a catalyst in the rejuvenation of American communities and is the focus of Pottstown ArtsWalk.”

While this event is free, we ask that you pre-register for your free ticket. Each is valid for one person to join the Pottstown ArtsWalk on Saturday, May 6, 2017, and you can order as many as you need. Visit http://www.artfusion19464.org/artwalk.

Get a taste for all the activities, food and arts presentations. Here is a list of venues joining us Saturday, May 6th to showcase Pottstown and all that our community has to offer:

@107, 107 E. High St. and Advantage Insurance
ArtFusion 19464, 254 E. High St.
Ballroom on High, 310 E. High St.
Beverly’s Pastry Shop, 322 E. High St.
Connections on High, 238 E. High St.
Grumpy’s Handcarved Sandwiches, 137 E. High St.
High Street Music, 135 E. High St.
iCreate Cafe, 130 King St.
Juan Carlos Fine Mexican Cuisine, 235 E. High St.
Lily’s Grill, 115 E. High St.
MCCC North Hall Gallery, 16 E. High St.
Memory Madness Photo Studio, 16 N. York St.
MOSIAC Community Land Trust, 10 S. Hanover St.
Potts & Penn Family Diner, 80 E. High St.
Smith Family Plaza, 100 E. High St.
Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High St.
The Carousel at Pottstown, 30 W. King St.
The Hill School Center for the Performing Arts, 780 Beech St.
Weitzenkorn’s, 145 E. High St.

To get the latest update on locations and activities, visit http://www.artfusion19464.org/artwalk and don’t forget to pre-register for Pottstown ArtsWalk!

Pottstown ArtsWalk is brought to you in partnership through
ArtFusion19464, Steel River Playhouse, @107, Proudly Pottstown and Advantage Insurance Group.

Greater Pottstown Foundation Funds Free Spring Programs At ArtFusion 19464

Pottstown, PA – Applications are now being accepted for three free spring programs for kids and teens at ArtFusion 19464. These programs are generously sponsored by The Greater Pottstown Foundation. In Art Academy, students ages 8 to 12 will explore different mediums from drawing to recycled art. Clay Academy gives each 8 to 12 year old student the opportunity to create pottery using hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques. Older students ages 13 to 17 can participate in Teen Clay Studio. This programs gives each student the opportunity to design and create amazing self-directed projects in clay.

The application deadline for these programs is February 17, 2017. Applications can be downloaded at artfusion19464.org/classes/scholarshipsprograms/. Interested parents can also stop by 254 E. High St. to pick up a paper copy.  Spaces will be filled on a first come, first served basis. While ArtFusion 19464 encourages everyone who is interested to apply, those students who qualify for free or reduced lunch and those who have not attended a free program at ArtFusion 19464 before will be given priority.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion 19464’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 am-5 pm and Saturday 10 am-3 pm. Classes do run outside of gallery hours.

Art And The Environment Featured In New Educational Exhibit At ArtFusion 19464

resourced-hakun.jpg artwork by Bob Hakun

POTTSTOWN, PA – ArtFusion 19464 is proud to announce the opening of the latest in their series of educational exhibits. As part of their effort to live their mission of making the arts accessible to everyone in their community, ArtFusion 19464 curates a special exhibit each year with an educational focus. They choose topics they believe they can teach about through art. Past topics have included the civil rights movement, the Vietnam war, and women’s history. This year the focus will be on art and the environment with a show called Reclaim. Art featured in this show will be created from recycled, upcycled and salvaged items. The artists have been challenged to reclaim the definition of art, to show that creativity and imagination can expand a view of art as only paint and canvas. Reclaim will run in the main gallery from October 8 through November 19.

During every educational exhibit, ArtFusion 19464 offers free field trips to local schools. Each field trip is tailored to the age of the students and is a fun, interactive learning experience.  Students who visit during Reclaim will learn important facts about the environment, recycling and the newest inventions in the fight to tame this country’s trash. They will also have an opportunity to create a piece of recycled art themselves. In keeping with the theme, students will engage in a discussion about environmental issues and how individual and group actions affect the health and well-being of the planet. Teachers and group leaders interested in scheduling a field trip can call 610-326-2506 or emailinfo@artfusion19464.org.

resourced-siemel.jpg artwork by Dora Siemel,

ArtFusion 19464 invites the public to a private, catered opening reception for Reclaim on Friday, October 7 from 6-8pm. Sponsored by Advantage Insurance, the event features a catered menu created by @107. Individual tickets are $20, interested community members can help an ArtFusion 19464 student to attend this event for free with a $30 student sponsorship ticket. All proceeds help fund the free field trip program.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

New Show Features Best In Show Winners At ArtFusion

Self Portrait 2016 by Gwendolyn Lanier

Pottstown, PA – The Chosen Two, a new show at ArtFusion 19464, opened on September 17 and will run through October 1.  This show will feature artwork from the winners of a Best in Show contest from ArtFusion’s 2016 Winter Member Show. Visitors to the show voted for their favorite artists, and the two artists who received the most votes won their own show. Artists Joe Hoover and Gwendolyn Lanier will present an amazing collection of 3D and 2D artwork. Gwendolyn and Joe invite the community to a meet the artists reception on Friday, September 23 from 6-8pm. The reception is free and open to the public. RSVPs to 610-326-2506 or info@artfusion19464.org are appreciated.

With a strong interest in art since childhood, it was natural that, after retiring from teaching school and choral conducting, Joe Hoover would choose painting as a

Above and Below by Joe Hoover

hobby. Shortly thereafter, memberships with member of the Pottstown Area Artists’ Guild (PAAG), Berks Art Alliance (BAA), and Chester County Art Association (CCAA) changed this casual hobby into a year-round commitment to group, solo and juried shows. Joe’s initial focus was on floral subjects in transparent watercolor. More recently his is exploring more varied media and subject matter. Among recent honors were Excellence Awards in two CCAA Watermedia Shows, a Best in show at a PAAG Membership show, and a Purchase Award and Honorable Mention in BAA Regional Juried Shows. For Joe, perhaps the biggest honor of all is simply exhibiting in the company of an ever expanding group of fine artists. Joe has been a Working Artist Member at ArtFusion for over 10 years.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Gwendolyn Lanier began making art in 2000 at the Essex Art Center in Lawrence, Massachusetts. In 2009 Gwendolyn received her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Studio Arts degree at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston MA.  Her primary focus as an undergraduate was Ceramics Figurative Sculpture. In 2012 she received her Post Baccalaureate in Graduate Studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia PA, where her exploration of drawing led her to her current body of work.

Gwendolyn’s art has been featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Lawrence Eagle Tribune, and at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts during the 2008 NCECA Confluence Conference. She has shown her work at the Woman Made Gallery in Chicago, Katherine Weems Gallery in Boston, and other galleries across the East Coast. Gwendolyn is currently a Working Artist Member and instructor at ArtFusion.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

ArtFusion 19464 Connects Kids And Art

Pottstown, PA – ArtFusion 19464 is proud to announce three free programs sponsored by The Greater Pottstown Foundation that will be running this fall. Kids 8 to 12 can choose between Art Academy and Clay Academy. In Art Academy, students will explore different mediums from drawing to recycled art. Clay Academy gives each student the opportunity to create pottery using hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques. For teen 13 to 17, Teen Clay Studio will give them the opportunity to design and create amazing self-directed projects in clay.

The application deadline for these programs is September 30, 2016. Applications can be downloaded at artfusion19464.org/classes/scholarshipsprograms/. Interested parents can also stop by 254 E. High St. to pick up a paper copy.  Spaces will be filled on a first come, first served basis. While ArtFusion encourages everyone who is interested to apply, those students who qualify for free or reduced lunch and those who have not attended a free program at ArtFusion before will be given priority.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Wednesday through Friday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Classes do run outside of gallery hours.

Pottstown 1st Annual Community Field Day

ArtFusion Fundraiser Supports Free Field Trip Program‏

Pottstown, PA – ArtFusion 19464, Pottstown’s non-profit community art center, will be holding its summer fundraiser on Saturday, August 13 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at the ArtFusion facility. This annual event gets a new twist this year, as the food offering has been expanded to three types of delicious barbeque.

Proceeds from this fundraiser are very important to ArtFusion’s upcoming fall programming. Funds raised help to provide free field trips to local schools in conjunction with ArtFusion’s fall educational exhibit. This year’s show is titled Reclaim and will feature artwork created from recycled, upcycled and salvaged materials. The artists have been challenged to reclaim the definition of art, to show that creativity and imagination can expand the view of art as just paint and canvas.

Each field trip is tailored to the age of the students and is a fun, interactive learning experience.  Students who visit during Reclaim will learn important facts about the environment, recycling and the newest inventions in the fight to tame our trash. They will also have an opportunity to create a piece of recycled art themselves. In keeping with the theme, field trip facilitators will talk with the students about how we can reclaim control over our how we interact with our world and how we affect the health and well-being of our planet.

Tickets for the fundraiser are only $25. If the event has not sold out, tickets will be available at the door. Tickets can be bought online at artfusion19464.org, in person at ArtFusion, or over the phone by calling 610-326-2506. Guests can choose a barbeque entrée, or a vegetarian option.

Victory Brewing Company has once again generously donated their amazing beer for this event. The Butcher and The BBQ will be expertly crafting the entrees, and Montesano Bros. will again be creating their amazing side salads. The MOSAIC Community Gardens in Pottstown will be donating a fresh salad for everyone to enjoy. There will be soda and water in addition to Victory beer and homemade desserts to finish off the meal.

Along with enjoying great food and great beer, guests will have the chance to win fun door prizes.  Each guest will receive one door prize chance free with their paid ticket. Additional tickets will be on sale throughout the night. Those who are unable to make the fundraiser can still try their luck by purchasing raffle tickets at the ArtFusion website.

Guests could win a $50 Wegman’s gift card, a Bread of the Month gift certificate from Panera Bread, Steel River tickets, tickets for the Reading Fightin Phils, original artwork and special ArtFusion Experiences, where the winner will work with one of ArtFusion’s talented instructors for a one-of-a-kind creative experience. Topics include stained glass, pottery, fused glass and more.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

Artist Wins Best In Show At ArtFusion 19464 Summer Member Show

bullrush-tops.jpg by Jodie Scharadin

Pottstown, PA – ArtFusion 19464 is proud to announce that Jodie Scharadin has won a Best in Show award for her collagraph titled Bullrush Tops. The piece is part of the Summer Member Show currently on display in the ArtFusion main gallery through August 20. The show features work by ArtFusion’s Working Artist Members, a group of talented and dedicated local artists who work in a variety of different mediums. The show can be seen during their summer gallery hours: Wednesday-Friday 10 am-5 pm and Saturday 10 am-3 pm.

The prize was judged by Susan Biebuyck, gallery director of Studio B in Boyertown. As the winner, Scharadin will be a featured artist in Studio B’s annual holiday show.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 am-5 pm and Saturday 10 am-3 pm. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

Pottstown Community Field Day Aug 27‏

Genesis Housing is joining with the Hill School, Art Fusion 19464, Pottstown Athletic Club, Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, CustomFit and others to create a day for families to spend time together learning about low-cost outdoor and indoor activities available in our area.

The Pottstown Community Field Day will take place on Saturday, August 27^th from 11 AM – 2 PM (Rain date: Sunday, August 28^th) at the Chestnut Street Park (Washington & Chestnut Streets). There will be 15 stations of fitness/sports or other activities for group participation for about 5 minutes.  The DJ will play family appropriate music continuously until the 5 minutes are up.   At that time, the DJ will use audio equipment to announce SWITCH and each group will move on to a new station.  Each participant will receive a coin for every station they complete.  When they complete 10 stations, participants will receive a free gift.  We will track how many people completed the minimum challenge equating to at least 45 minutes of fitness.

We are asking for area businesses and organizations to participate in the 3-hour event by making a donation, facilitating fitness stations and setting up information tables. In appreciation for any organization that donates and/or participates, we will advertise their company in social media outlets and in printed materials. We will also provide the opportunity to set up an information table and include coupons or other information in the free gift packs.

For more information or to support the event, please contact me at wash5000@msn.com or (484) 300-2410. Please join us and be a part of this great day!

SOME POTTSTOWN 2016 SUMMER HAPPENINGS

The attached PDF file is a wealth of information about summer events for the whole family that are going on in Pottstown this summer.

Click to access POTTSTOWN-SUMMER-HAPPENINGS-2016x.pdf

$10,000 Arts Scholarship To Be Awarded

AlexandriaGallion.jpg,

LeilaAtoo.jpg

MadisonSchaeffer.jpg

AslanBerbaum.jpg

BryanCollins.jpg

ZacharyForeman.jpg

POTTSTOWN, PA – The 2016 Greater Pottstown Foundation Scholarship for the Arts is a $10,000 scholarship designed to financially assist a local high school senior from Pottstown, Pottsgrove, Owen J. Roberts or The Hill School in obtaining a degree from accredited academic institutions of higher learning for study in the arts. ArtFusion 19464 is proud to partner for the fifth year with the Foundation to present this scholarship.

The scholarship is awarded based on two criteria:  artistic performance as displayed at the Greater Pottstown Foundation Scholarship Art Exhibit at ArtFusion 19464, and an essay on why the applicant wants to continue their education in the arts.  The applicant’s intended field of study must include a major or a minor in an arts-related field.

The 2016 applicants are: Leila Atoo (Pottstown), Aslan Berbaum (Pottsgrove), Bryan James Collins (Pottsgrove), Zachary Eric Foreman (Owen J. Roberts), Alexandria Gallion (Pottsgrove), and Madison Schaeffer (Owen J. Roberts).

The scholarship will be awarded at a ceremony at ArtFusion 19464 on Saturday, May 21 at 1pm. The ceremony is open to the public. The candidates’ artwork, along with artwork by other local high school students, will be on display in the ArtFusion main gallery until June 4.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 am-5 pm and Saturday 10 am-3 pm. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

Free Summer Programs At ArtFusion 19464

Images of student work

Images of student work

Images of student work

Images of student work

POTTSTOWN, PA – In addition to their regular class schedule, ArtFusion is very proud to offer three free programs during their summer session of classes. All three porgrams are sponsored by The Greater Pottstown Foundation. For kids ages 8-12, Art Academy is a general arts exploration class where students work with many different mediums. Clay Academy teaches students how to create with clay. Teen Clay Academy will challenge teens 13-17 to design and create an amazing self-directed project in clay.

The application deadline for all three programs is June 3, 2016. Applications can be downloaded at artfusion19464.org/classes/scholarshipsprograms/. Interested parents can also stop by 254 E. High St. to pick up a paper copy.  Spaces will be filled on a first come, first served basis. While ArtFusion encourages everyone who is interested to apply, those students who qualify for free or reduced lunch and those who have not attended a free program before will be given priority.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

New Photography Show Opens At ArtFusion‏

Seneca Lake by Mary Kosar

Untitled #4 by John Rizzo

Carbon County by Matt Souders

Fume by Emily Townsend

POTTSTOWN, PA – Photographers show us a unique view of our world, isolating landscapes, people and moments and sharing them with us in their finished photographs. ArtFusion 19464 is proud to announce a new photography-only show in their main gallery. Shutter II opens on March 19 and runs through April 23. Nineteen local artists are part of this incredible exhibit.

Participating artists include John Bosler, Carol Brightbill, Mary Ann Dailey, Linda Doell, Lisa Foster, Lisa Guerriero, Carrie Kingsbury, Paul Kingsbury, Mary Kosar, Mark Long, Charles McCann, Donna Meyers, Geoffrey Meyers, Jack Paolini, Peter Rampson, John Rizzo, Matt Souders, Emily Townsend, and John Warren.

A meet-the-artists reception will be held on Sunday, April 17 from 2-4pm in the ArtFusion main gallery. The reception is free and open to the public. Coffee and desserts will be served. ArtFusion requests that all guests please RSVP by calling 610-326-2506 or by emailing info@artfusion19464.org.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am-5:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am-3:00 pm. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

ArtFusion Artists Win Best In Show‏

Arboreal by Joe Hoover

Messenger by Gwendolyn Lanier-Gardner

Joe Hoover and Gwendolyn Lanier-Gardner were the winners of the Best in Show competition during ArtFusion’s 2016 Winter Member Show. The two artists won their own show in the ArtFusion gallery in the fall of 2016. The show promises to be an amazing exhibition of work, showcasing the work of Joe, who has been a Working Artist member for over 10 years and Gwendolyn, who joined the group two years ago.

Visitors to ArtFusion’s gallery during the show were asked to choose their favorite artist and make a donation in support of that artist winning Best in Show. Each $1 donation counted as one vote. All proceeds from this fundraiser help support the non-profit community art center.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

Local Artists Vie For Best In Show‏

wms-16-christ.jpg Arizona Desert by Arline Christ

wms16-shelton The City Life by Joseph C. Shelton

wms-16-zeiset Love by Sandy Zeiset

– The Working Artists Members of ArtFusion 19464 are competing for an incredible Best in Show award. The two artists who receive the most Best in Show votes will win their own show in the ArtFusion gallery in the fall of 2016. The contest is taking place during the annual Winter Member Show, an always wonderful collection of different styles and mediums, created by artists living in the greater Pottstown community.

Visitors to the gallery are asked to choose their favorite artist and make a donation in support of that artist winning Best in Show. Each $1 donation counts as one vote. Supporters can vote as many times as they like, for as many artists as they like. For those who can’t come to the show in person, online voting is available at the ArtFusion website, artfusion19464.org. Online voting ends on March 3. Visitors can also in person at ArtFusion up until 7pm on March 4, which the night of the reception and award ceremony. All proceeds from this fundraiser help support the non-profit community art center.

The reception will be held Friday, March 4 from 6-8pm in ArtFusion’s main gallery. Light refreshments will be served and the reception is free and open to the public. Please RSVP by calling 610-326-2506.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

Applications Being Accepted For $10000 Arts Scholarship‏

Pottstown, PA – Applications are now being accepted for the 2016 Greater Pottstown Foundation Scholarship for the Arts. This $10,000 scholarship is designed to financially assist a local high school senior from Pottstown, Pottsgrove, Owen J. Roberts or The Hill School in obtaining a degree from accredited academic institutions of higher learning for study in the arts. ArtFusion 19464 is proud to partner for the fifth year with the Foundation to present this scholarship.

The scholarship is awarded based on two criteria:  artistic performance as displayed at the Greater Pottstown Foundation Scholarship Art Exhibit at ArtFusion 19464, and an essay on why the applicant wants to continue their education in the arts.  The applicant’s intended field of study must include a major or a minor in an arts-related field.

Applications can be downloaded at the ArtFusion website (http://artfusion19464.org/classes/scholarshipsprograms/) or sent via email by contactinginfo@artfusion19464.org. A paper copy can be picked up at their 254 E. High St. location.  Applications and essays are due by February 29. The artwork for the mandatory art show at ArtFusion does not need to be completed until the May 14 drop off date.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am-5:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am-3:00 pm. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

Free Art Programs‏ Offered At ArtFusion 19464

POTTSTOWN, PA – In addition to their regular class schedule, ArtFusion is very proud to offer six free programs during their winter spring session of classes. Two programs for kids are sponsored by The Greater Pottstown Foundation. For kids ages 8-12, Art Academy is a general arts exploration class where students work with many different mediums, and Clay Academy teaches students how to create with clay. Both classes begin February 26. The application deadline for these two programs is February 5, but applications will still be accepted until the programs are full.

Three teen programs are also sponsored by The Greater Pottstown Foundation. Teen Mixed Media Studio will introduce teens 13-17 to pottery, glass, drawing, painting and recycled art.  Mixed Media Studio begins April 6. Teen Clay Academy, which begins April 22, allows teens to explore both handbuilding and wheel work. The application deadline for both programs is March 16.

Poetry in Place is a brand new program that engages students in reading and listening to contemporary American poetry, including song lyrics.  Students will also participate in experiential activities, exploring how poetic devices help the poet and reader connect. This program begins on March 18 and has an application deadline of March 4.

Stretch, Read, Create! is a free program sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church and the Mary N. Porter Designated Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward County. In this fun program, preschoolers 3 to 5 years old and their parent will participate in a short yoga session, listen to a story and then create an art project based on the book. Classes currently run from 10:30am-11:30am on Wednesdays. This program is free but ArtFusion asks that you RSVP to 610-326-2506. There are a limited number of available spaces.

Applications can be downloaded at artfusion19464.org/classes/scholarshipsprograms/. Interested parents can also stop by 254 E. High St. to pick up a paper copy.  Spaces will be filled on a first come, first served basis. While ArtFusion encourages everyone who is interested to apply, those students who qualify for free or reduced lunch and those who have not attended a free program before will be given priority.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

MOSAIC COMMUNITY Gardens STAY BEEZY!‏

Happy SNOW DAYS!

But believe it or not, we are already planning for our best GARDEN season yet!

Pretty soon, we will trade in our snow gloves for gardening gloves, so GET READY!

Community Garden Member Applications are NOW being Accepted!

We are now accepting applications for the 2016 growing season!  Everyone is welcome to join us this season at the Mosaic Community Gardens – a safe place for the entire family to grow, learn, share and play!

For your annual one-time contribution, Mosaic will supply all of the tools, seeds, plants, dirt and water you need to grow yourself a fantastic garden!  The first planting weekend is set for Saturday, May 14 – 15.  We will prepare to plant, dig-in and enjoy ourselves the entire weekend!  All are welcome to put down some roots with MOSAIC!

Please visit us on the web at www.mosaicclt.org or send an email to mosaicclt@gmail.com to sign up!

MOSAIC Makes a Statement-So Can You!

MOSAIC Community Gardens have an all-new logo! Help us spread the word, plant the seed and change our neighborhood by purchasing a T-shirt for $16 (front and back printed in sizes for the whole family), tote bag, magnet or button displaying the MOSAIC logo. Contact Mary-Beth Bacallao at flyeredup8831@gmail.com or Laura Washington at wash5000@msn.com to get your goods today!

 

We also have the following items for sale:

Standard size reusable tote bags $10 and Jumbo size reusable tote bags $15 Mugs – $10 Magnets – $10 Buttons – $6

Do You Want to Build A… Garden?

MOSAIC will present “How to Design, Plan and Start a Home Garden” at Pottstown Library in late February. Please check back for date and time and details and join Tracy Purdy, our star intern, to think Spring and plan your home garden!

Thank You!

Pine Hill Farms and the Heylmun Family supported MOSAIC Community Land Trust through our annual Christmas Tree Sale and Home Garden Contest! Thank you to the Heylmuns and everyone who purchased a tree and donated to MOSAIC. We appreciate the support of the Heylmun family year after year.

Painting with a Purpose

Jackson Pollock your hero? Renoir make your heart race? Join MOSAIC and ArtFusion on Saturday, February 13! From 7-9 PM, you can let your inner Picasso shine for a good cause! BYOB and snacks, and maybe a smock or two in case you’re inspired to do some abstract art on yourself! $20 per ticket or $35 per two ticket purchase. Proceeds to benefit Mosaic/ArtFusion summer programming.

Register online at http://www.artfusion19464.org or at ArtFusion, 254 E. High Street, Pottstown. Hope to see you there!

TEENAGERS WELCOME!

Beginning February 18, from 6 to 8 PM, MOSAIC will partner with ArtFusion, STRIVE, Olivet Boys and Girls Club to present My Voice, a 12-week program for teens. Healthy meal preps, art journaling, music and theatre workshops will be provided. Through fun, interactive experiences, My Voice will increase the involvement of young people in their community by asking them to visually articulate their ideal community, resulting in a visual art canvas, short film and relevant artistic renditions that define and embody the voice of young peoples’ dreams for Pottstown. This program is graciously sponsored in part by Olivet Boys and Girls Club.

On the 18th, an information session will be held prior to the workshop for parents and youth alike.  A warm meal will be prepared and served by the entire group!

 Please contact ArtFusion at (610) 326-2506 to register.

Together we are stronger—one community, many voices!

Amazon Smile – An Easy Way to Give and Get!

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization.  MOSAIC CLT is now available as your charitable organization on Amazon Smile! The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. The purchase price is the amount paid for the item minus any rebates and excluding shipping & handling, gift-wrapping fees, taxes, or service charges. For more information, please go to

ttp://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about/ref=smi_aas_redirect?ie=UTF8&qid=1453292501&ref=spkl_3_1_2279808142