ArtFusion 19464 To Host Reception For Education Vietnam Exhibit

When We Were Soldiers

Personal Stories of Our Vietnam Veterans

You are cordially invited to the opening reception for our upcoming educational exhibit. The reception will be held September 20 from 5-8pm. This event will be a welcome home celebration for the veterans, showing them thanks and appreciation for their service.

This amazing event will include a motorcycle ride, bagpipers, color guard from the Junior ROTC, a long overdue welcome home for our Vietnam veterans, and musical performances by Margie Nace, and Haven’t You Heard, a men’s ensemble made up of talented singers from several local churches.

Please RSVP by calling 610-326-2506 or http://artfusion19464.org/contact/

We would like the thank the following businesses and individuals for supporting the reception:  VideoRay, Fitch Electronics, Hamlin Hogs Motorcycle Club, Hurter’s Meats, North Coventry Police, Pottstown Police, Gear Jammers, Santina’s Kitchen, Ice House, Grumpys, Penny Batista, Lindt Chocolates, Gourmet Cupcakes, Hurter’s Meats, The Very Best, DVD Video Albums/Tom Carbo, AFJROTC, Margie Nace, and Haven’t You Heard.

POW/MIA Flags To Be Hung In Downtown Pottstown

In preparation for ArtFusion 19464’s fall educational exhibit When We Were Soldiers, downtown Pottstown will soon be flying POW/MIA flags.  The flags will be hung the week of July 4th and be on display through Veterans Day.

This display was made possible through the support of the greater Pottstown community and beyond. Representative Mark Painter’s office donated 2 flags.  Generous donations were also made by the following individuals and organizations: David Garner , Esq., Pottstown Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Positively Pottstown, Federation of Concerned Organizations, POW/MIA Forget Me Nots, American Legion Post 244 and Jack and Cathy Paretti, Theresa Orlosky, Sharon Shulby.  Billy Worrell, member of American Legion Post 244 and a Vietnam Veteran, was very instrumental in getting the donations and arranging the purchase of the flags.

When We Were Soldiers will focus on the personal recollections of veterans of the Vietnam War.  The show will open September 20 with a Welcome Home reception and run through Veterans Day.  As part of the reception, local motorcycle clubs will be participating in a welcome home ride.  The reception will run from 5-8pm. Light refreshments will be served.  While this reception is free, ArtFusion will be collecting donations for a free arts program for veterans as well as to fund maintenance for the Pottstown Vietnam Memorial.

The Pottstown Keystone Chapter 565 of Vietnam Veterans meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7PM at the VFW located on High Street in Pottstown.  Anyone is invited to attend a meeting.

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.

Attached:  POWMIA flags.jpg: presentation of flags at Borough Hall; Frank Strunk, President of Pottstown Keystone Chapter 565 of Vietnam Veterans of America; Billy Worrell, of American Legion Post 244; and Mark Flanders, Pottstown Borough Manager.

Memories of Vietnam – ArtFusion’s Next Show Looking For Mementos

POTTSTOWN, PA – ArtFusion 19464 is hard at work on their next educational show, scheduled for September 2013. Following in the footsteps of their successfulThreads show in 2012, When We Were Soldiers will focus on the personal recollections of veterans of the Vietnam War. The show will run through Veterans Day.

The non-profit community art center is asking the greater Pottstown community to become a part of this interactive educational exhibit. They are looking for letters and photos from the era to include in gallery displays. These mementos will also be used in educational field trips for local schools. Mementos can be dropped off at 254 E. High St. during regular business hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 3pm. Photos and letters will be returned after the exhibit closes.

ArtFusion is also looking for veterans who are willing to share their stories. Local writers Sue Repko and Parker Blaney will meet with the vets and record their personal journeys for the exhibit. Veterans interested in being interviewed can call 610-326-2506 or email info@artfusion19464. Interviews are being scheduled now.

There is also a need for old military uniforms to be used in an exciting fiber arts project that will become part of When We Were Soldiers. They are able to use any size, condition or clothing item (pants, shirts, etc.).  While Vietnam era items are preferred, items from any era are acceptable. Please note that these uniforms will be cut up for the project and cannot be returned.

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.