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.

Mosaic Community Gardens News

Mosaic Community Gardens are always “popping up” with opportunities to become a member or join the Community Land Trust board.

Join us for a social evening at our newest garden location, Elizabeth B. Barth Elementary School, to find out more about the organization or to reserve your garden bed for the 2017 growing season.  The FREE evening social takes place on Friday, October 28 from 5-7 PM. We will be inside the school – meals will be served and information offered!  Please plan to join us!

Contact our garden manager at 484-300-2410 if you have any questions or need additional information.

Also, our next workshop is in the “works”, please be on the lookout for more details in an upcoming email, Facebook post and on our website!

Pottstown Puts Best Foot Forward With Another Spectacular ‘Carousel of Flavor’ Food Festival

wp_20160918_13_13_20_proThousands flocked to High Street in downtown Pottstown today for the 13th Annual Carousel of Flavor. This event is the primary fundraiser for the Carousel at Pottstown and one of the largest events hosted in the borough.  It turned out to be a beautiful day after some rain overnight and early this morning seemed menacing.

The trolley was carrying people from the festival site to the carousel building on regular intervals.  When I went, the trolley was full.  I noticed many folks taking advantage of the free ride.

sight_2016_09_18_193433_675-1The carousel is hopefully going to be up and running by the end of October.  This has been a decade long project that has finally reached completion.  We congratulate the Carousel committee and everyone involved for making this project a reality!

Here is a link to the entire album of photos from today https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154164324778192.1073741827.135214378191&type=1&l=7c017ae9ca 

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 YMCA Is Hiring And Other News

We are currently hiring in the following areas: Membership, Aquatics, Youth Programming, Child Watch, Wellness Coaches & Group Exercise Instructors, Before and After Care, Child Care. Pick up an application today at the Welcome Center.

We are still excepting participants for our next LIVESTRONG group that runs September 13th-December 1st. The Y and the LIVESTRONG Foundation have joined together to create LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a research-based physical activity and well-being program designed to help adult cancer survivors reclaim their total health. For more information and how to enroll contact Jennifer Gaj, Jgaj@philaymca.org.

Our 7th Grade Membership Initiative, provides a FREE one-year membership to all 7th Graders in the area. To register students simply need to come in with their parent or guardian and proof of 7th Grade status.

CLASSICAL GUITARIST OPENS SEASON IN POTTSTOWN‏

Russell Ferrara performing classical guitar Lake Lanier, GA

Russell Ferrara performing classical guitar Lake Lanier, GA

Pottstown, PA –  Classical Guitarist Russell Ferrara begins the 2016 fall season with 3 formal and informal performances in Pottstown. He will perform for the Steel River Playhouse Gala on Saturday September 10 at 7:00 PM, for Pottstown FARM on High Street on September 15 with sets interspersed throughout the 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM event. On September 24 he will present informal performances as well as pop up classes on guitar and ukulele at the Pottstown Latin Festival. Information and
tickets to the Steel River Playhouse Gala are available at steelriver-playhouse.org. Pottstown FARM and the Pottstown Latin Festival are free and open to the public.

With Kim Robson: Lake Lanier, GA

With Kim Robson: Lake Lanier, GA

These performances mark the end of a highly productive summer for Ferrara, who has been performing and teaching in and around Pottstown since the opening of Steel River playhouse in 2008. He began the summer with a 10 day trip to Georgia to perform, teach and direct guitar ensembles with his flute playing partner Kim Robson. Upon returning from Georgia he taught ukulele classes and workshops at Pottstown Middle School and Steel River Playhouse, made his first appearance at Pottstown FARM and went immediately into rehearsals for the Wings of Hope benefit concert at the Colonial Theater in Phoenixville. From there he and Robson began sessions for their completed but as yet unreleased album. He took time away from the studio only to do a run in the pit band of “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” at the SALT theater in Yellow Springs.

Ferrara begins this month presenting the class “Ukulele Fun” at Steel River Playhouse. Designed to provide an introduction to playing string instruments, “Ukulele Fun” uses music familiar to everyone to build solid playing skills. The format of the class is ensemble based with everyone playing together in a fast-paced fun environment. Ferrara brings his years of experience performing and directing guitar ensembles to the design and format of the class. Further information can be found at steelriver-playhouse.org.

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

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.

10th Annual PEAK Pottstown Celebrates Young Children/YMCA Healthy Kids Day

Date of Event: 4/16/2016
Time of Event: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Description: Join us on Saturday, April 16 from 1-3 pm on the grounds of Pottstown High School for this free event! PEAK, Pottstown’s school readiness initiative is partnering with Pottstown YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day. Fun family activities and resources from more than 40 community organizations are being planned along with music from D.J. Steve, moon bounce, celebrated mascots, and Pipper the Clown to name a few. The YMCA will be providing fitness activities and more. We thank Pottstown Memorial Medical Center http://www.PottstownMemorial.com for once again being the main sponsor for April’s PEAK Month of the Young Child events. For more information contact Jane Bennett – jbennett@pottstownsd.org or 610-256-6370, http://www.peakonline.org.
Location: Pottstown High School
750 N. Washington St
Pottstown, PA 19464

Mosaic Gardens Call For Committee Members & Volunteers!‏

Happy Leap Year 2016!

With a very busy garden season ahead, Mosaic is going all out in its quest to recruit garden committee members and volunteers!  Meetings will be held once per month, beginning mid-March (day and time TBD).

Here’s what we have in store for the 2016 season and as a garden committee member/volunteer, here is what you can be a part of and the great part about it is that there is NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.  Our experienced committee members will provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to help others:

Mosaic is building its newest community garden at Barth Elementary School located on the west side of Pottstown – There will be approximately 20 additional garden beds available for families in the Pottstown area to learn, grow and enjoy more fresh produce at a fraction of the cost in local grocery stores!  There will also be several beds to be used as an educational tool for the students who attend the school!  We need your support in the following areas:

  • Disseminating information about the gardens to the families who live within walking distance of the school located at 467 West Walnut (late-March).  Information to include membership packet, construction timeline and committee contact information.
  • Assistance in recruiting volunteers (families, school students, churches and corporate volunteers) to lay top soil and mulch, assist with building a shed and to create the 20+ garden beds being built (early-April).
  • Speakers and organizers needed for information sessions, workshops and summer activities.  Information sessions will take place in April, workshops and summer activities will be scheduled throughout the entire growing season (May-October).

Mosaic’s two downtown community gardens and its permaculture garden will be up an running, providing more opportunities to educate and support families than ever – Our existing 50+ garden beds will be available to families again this year for planting more, learning more and enjoying more of the produce grown each year!  We are looking to provide families with support and additional education in order to become the great gardeners they dream of being! 

  • Assistance in recruiting volunteers (families, school students, churches and corporate volunteers) to lay top soil and/or mulch throughout the already established garden beds and perimeter beds (early-April).
  • Turn compost in order to sift out and lay the ready-to-use compost and to aerate other compost from last season at each of the three garden locations (late-April).
  • Speakers and organizers needed for information sessions, workshops and summer activities.  Information sessions will take place in April, workshops and summer activities will be scheduled throughout the entire growing season (May-October).
  • Produce Cart – We are in need of a few volunteers to run with our produce cart this summer!  Join  this fun activity happening several days throughout the growing season! The produce cart allows us to sell any garden surplus vegetables donated back to the gardens, to teach youth members how to build a business selling produce on a small scale and gives the garden an opportunity to provide area residents with information regarding their health and wellness.

There are plenty great opportunities available for all skill-sets and areas of interest!  Please consider joining our community garden committee or signing up for one or two of our much needed volunteer days!

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME? – you ask?  A special gift pack is given to everyone who turns out to be an awesome facilitator, garden committee member or a volunteer event organizer this season! Check it out:

Each new garden committee member who attends 90% of our meetings during the growing season and signs up to support/organize at least two volunteer opportunities will receive a Mosaic Community Gardens T-shirt of their choice, a Mosaic Community Gardens apron, standard tote bag and a beautiful Mosaic mug along with a chance to win a free Mosaic CLT garden membership at the garden location of their choice for the 2017 growing season!

Each volunteer who organizes and rallies a troop of volunteers that provide support in the gardens for one day or more will receive a Mosaic t-shirt, the jumbo Mosaic Community Gardens Garden Ambassador tote bag and a Mosaic CLT car magnet along with a chance to win a free Mosaic CLT garden membership at the garden location of their choice for the 2017 growing season!

Each volunteer who facilitates one informational session or workshop will receive a Mosaic T-shirt and tote bag along with a chance to win a free Mosaic CLT garden membership at the garden location of their choice for the 2017 growing season!

Each person who assists/supports our summer programming for at least 6 of each 2-hour session during the growing season will receive a t-shirt, gardening apron, a JUMBO tote bag along with a chance to win a free Mosaic CLT garden membership at the garden location of their choice for the 2017 growing season!

Our need for additional committee members and volunteers has never been greater, the benefits and rewards have never been better!

Please sign up to support the “growth” of the Mosaic Community Land Trust Community Gardens today!

It’s EASY!  Simply reply to this email or visit our Facebook or website to sign up or to receive additional information regarding all of the opportunities TODAY!

See Ya’ at the Gardens,

MOSAIC CLT

Applications Being Accepted For $10000 Arts Scholarship‏

ArtFusion-color600 1Pottstown, 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.

GPF Logo Final BWThe 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.

PEAK – Pottstown Celebrates Young Children YMCA – Healthy Kids Day

Saturday, April 16, 2016, 1-3 pm Pottstown High School 750 N. Washington St.

We invite your organization to participate by providing a family activity or other resources. We provide you with a table and space at no cost and an opportunity for family engagement.

Please reply to Jane Bennett – jbennett@pottstownsd.org for questions and to confirm your participation.

More than 1400 people attended this free event for Pottstown families with young children last year, thanks to the support of organizations like yours. We hope to see you this year at Pottstown High School!

This year, we will be partnering with the Pottstown YMCA and celebrating Healthy Kids Day! We are planning fun family activities along with music from D.J. Steve, a moon bounce, celebrated mascots and Pipper the Clown to name a few. The YMCA will be coordinating fitness activities and more.

We thank Pottstown Memorial Medical Center http://www.PottstownMemorial.com for once again being the main sponsor for April’s PEAK Month of the Young Child events.

Thanks for all you do to support that all Pottstown’s children enter kindergarten ready to learn and achieve. Join us on April 16th for our 10th annual event and help celebrate Pottstown’s young children and families!!

Kids Day A FREE Community Event Hosted By Olivet Boys & Girls Club

The Olivet Boys & Girls Club is hosting a free event at their Pottstown Unit, the Richard J. Ricketts Center, located at 658 Beach Street in Pottstown, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 26. The purpose is to strengthen relationships between the Club, partners and the Pottstown community, in addition to celebrating and supporting our kids. The best way to do that is to invite the community into the Club. The event will include food, games and entertainment. Pottstown School District staff, students and parents, along with community members and community partners, will be invited.