Chensters collaborate to bring vintage art to the community

At the Momentum show in December, Chenster Joan Gaydos and Mike Fegley of the Allentown BrewWorks found they had more in common than just great taste in art...each has a special connection with Neuweiler's Brewery.

Joan's father, Frank Wilgruber an art teacher in the ASD for 31 years, created advertising and illustrations for Neuweiler's Brewery in the 1950s. Another of Frank's long term friends and clients was Yocco's. He collaborated with owner Julie Iaccoa and created the "Hot Dog King" image that is still being used today. Many of the signage in the two original stores is his work as well.

With the BrewWorks recent launch of Neuweiler's beer (which is VERY tasty by the way) Mike Fegley jumped at the chance to display 11 of these original illustrations at the Allentown location.

So next time you are enjoying a meal and a refreshing beverage at the Allentown BrewWorks, check out some real vintage art from another Allentown artist of the past.

Group Meeting

Just a reminder that the group is meeting this Saturday, Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. at House of Chen for dinner and conversation. If you plan on attending the Art Museum opening or other event, feel free to come later. Discussion will begin around 7:30 p.m.

If you plan on coming and have not RSVP'd to the previous email, please email the organizer at chenarts.info@gmail.com so we can give the restaurant an accurate count.

Dance instructor Sharon Hillman and Pana Columbus of Circle of Stones Ritual Theatre, have asked to speak. There may also be some discussion on what to do for a Spring show and what the group might do for Mayfair.

Hope to see you there.

Rest in Peace, Fran

I have very sad news to report. Fran Weaver, the widow of Allentown artist Greg Weaver, died yesterday. She was a very talented artist who was part of an important independent art scene in Allentown which was started in the 1970's, and was led by her late husband, artist Greg Weaver. Fran was a member of our group, and attended the opening of The Momentum Show. Fran was very excited about Greg's work being shown at Momentum. When I spoke with her in December, she said that in the future she would like to talk to our group about Greg's work, and her plans for starting a Greg Weaver website. At the opening of Momentum, Rook Jones, who handles Greg's art work, showed me some small drawings done by Fran. They were beautiful figure drawings, and I hope we can include some of her work in our next show.

I do not have a photo of Fran at the Momentum show, but if anyone does, please post it at the blog, or send it to me. Yesterday, I was looking for Fran's phone number because I wanted to tell her about our Jan 31 meeting, but I could not find her number, and she does not have e-mail. I wish I could have spoken with her before she died. When I did speak with her in Dec., she was happy to hear about our group, and very interested in being part of the art scene in Allentown. Rook Jones will be informing me about funeral arrangements, and I will post that information here. Rest in Peace, Fran. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

UPDATE: I have included a photo of Fran and Rook Jones taken at Hava Java by Hub Willson.

Chen Artist Completes Prayer Flag Project

Artist Jane Noel, a member of the Chen Arts Group, completed a Valleywide Prayer Flag installation project sharing the public's hopes and wishes for our new President's administration. (Above is a flag created for her project. Photo courtesy Mcall.)

Take a look at The Morning Call coverage here: Prayer Flags Will Fly in the Lehigh Valley in Time for Inauguration


Congratulations Jane!

Glass Blowing at Banana Factory

hey fellow Chensters...

after 2 years of my nose to the grind on everything 7th street, I'm finally giving me some well...me time and signed up for a glass blowing class on Monday nights at the banana factory. If you wanted to come and watch...there are bleacher seats...class is from 6:30-9:30 (come closer to 9 and we can go for a drink or bite to eat afterwards).

The wonderful thing about glass blowing in the winter is that there's no better warm spot than in a room with huge furnaces running...

the studio is such a miracle to have close by...the relaxed atmosphere in comparison to working in nyc is miracle number 2...number 3 is the realization that I haven't forgotten everything I used to know!

Pete

Chen Arts Closing Show

Sorry it took so long.

Here's a link to youtube for the "higher quality" video.

MOMENTUM VIDEO

Enjoy.