REMINDER: CHEN ARTS GROUP MEETING THIS SATURDAY!

This update is a reminder about our next meeting THIS SATURDAY: October 22nd at 6:30pm at the House of Chen Restaurant. At this meeting we will be discussing:

• The possibility of a group show in early 2012. And another possible show in the spring of 2012.  
• To discuss the Chen Arts Group in general and whether members still have interest in meeting once a month and to also get feedback on ideas some current members have for the future of the group. 

If you are interested in attending the October 22nd meeting (in three days), please RSVP to chenarts.info@gmail.com and let us know if you will be attending. If you have already RSVP'd then no further action is necessary---I have added you to the meeting list for Saturday. 

For those who would like to attend but who have not RSVP'd, the rsvp process is to assess every one's interest in attending the meeting and for an accurate headcount for the restaurant. 

Additionally, the Chen Arts blog has been updated with a new look and slightly different format for ease-of-use. Please let us know if you are interested in attending the meeting and we look forward to seeing everyone on the 22nd! New members are also welcome!

Thanks again,

The Chen Arts Group

UPCOMING EVENTS - Theatre | Art Auction | Next Chen Meeting

UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

Into the Dark

Presented By: Touchstone Theatre

Location: 321 East 4th Street. Bethlehem, PA 18015

Created and Performed by the Touchstone Ensemble

As the dry, crumbling leaves of autumn fall and the shadows lengthen, Touchstone proudly presents an eerie evening of experimental theatre. Our chilling cast of characters, suspenseful stories, and haunting vignettes explore the depths of terror that lurk within the human soul.

Sunday, October 16th - 2:00PM Performance Only

Limited Seating - $9.99

Click here for tickets.

ART FOR EVERYONE - ART AUCTION

Sunday The Lehigh Valley Arts Council is inviting local artists and art collectors to consign paintings, prints, photographs and other two-dimensional art to a live auction to benefit local artists and the Lehigh Valley Arts Council.

This is an opportunity to promote and sell the work of local artists just in time for the holidays, while benefiting the region's flagship organization that promotes the arts and advocates its value to the community.

Location: Merchants Square Mall, Allentown

Auction date: Sunday, November 6, 2011; 2 - 5 pm

Previews: Saturday, November 5, 2011: Noon - 4pm; Sunday, November 6, 2011: Noon - 2pm

Click here for more information on this event.

CHEN ARTS GROUP NEXT MEETING

New and returning members of the Chen Arts Group are invited to attend our next meeting on October 22nd at 6:30pm held at the House of Chen Restaurant. We will be discussing upcoming group exhibit opportunities in early 2012 in addition to the spring of 2012. Members will also have the opportunity to discuss new ideas to help shape the direction of the group. Whether you are new and would like to join the group, or if you are a returning member, please email chenarts.info@gmail.com to RSVP to this event. Thanks!

Next Chen Arts Group Meeting: October 22nd 2011 - Please RSVP/Attend

The next Chen Arts meeting will be held on October 22nd at 6:30pm at the House of Chen Restaurant. At this meeting we would like to discuss:

• The possibility of a group show in early 2012 and another possible group show in the spring of 2012. We would like to gauge interest and potential participation in this event.
• To discuss the Chen Arts Group in general and whether members still have interest in meeting once a month and/or if members have any ideas for the future of the group.

If you are interested in attending the October 22nd meeting (in about a week and a half), please email chenarts.info@gmail.com and let us know if you will be attending. We can then make a reservation for the group at the House of Chen restaurant. Recent group participation in the meetings has been lower, and part of the goal of this meeting and the rsvp process is to assess every one's interest in continuing the group, as well as to discuss ideas for 2012. New members are also welcome! Please let us know if you are interested and we look forward to seeing everyone on the Saturday the 22nd!

UPCOMING EVENTS & NEXT CHEN ARTS MEETING

Next Chen Arts Meeting
This Saturday, August 20th 2011 at the House of Chen Restaurant in Allentown @ 6:30 PM

“Greetings from Bethlehem”
History of Bethlehem Revisited through Postcard Images at Ambre' Studio

“Greetings from Bethlehem”- History Revisited through Postcard Images from the Collection of Bill Weiner An anthology of historic images circa 1900’s to 1940’s, from the postcard collection of entrepreneur, historian, and author, Bill Weiner, framed and matted prints, as well as postcards, and newly published Arcadia Postcard book available for sale. Currently on display through Friday, September 30, 2011. Gallery Hours: Wed, Thurs, Fri 10-6PM or by appt. Located at 310 West Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Mark your calendar: Sat, 9/17/11, 7-9PM, Ambre Studio’s annual A. W. Leh 163rd Birthday Party with special guest Bill Weiner for book signing. RSVP preferred, 610-974-8480. Exhibit and special event open to the public.

'This is Home' Exhibit
NewVox Art Gallery's latest exhibit with Philadelphia based artist Joseph Eduardo Iacona, from August 11th - September 4th. 'This is Home' is a collection of work focusing upon the landscape of memory. Dreams and Experience blur together in our mind to form an impression of the familiar objects and places that define our sense of self and our notion of home. These visual translations were derived through Dream, Experience, Imagination, and Plein Air Studies.

Jazz Cabaret
Come to the next Jazz Cabaret, in the Rodale Community Room at Symphony Hall on Friday, August 19, 2011, at 7:30 PM. It will feature the fabulous David Leonhardt Trio. David Leonhardt, jazz pianist and composer, has over 38 years of professional experience which has included recordings, television, radio, concerts, night clubs, and stage shows. He has backed Buddy Defranco, Dave Liebman, and Buddy Tate. For years he toured with jazz legend Jon Hendricks. and his reputation on the New York jazz scene was built on the years he was a member of the David "Fathead" Newman Quintet. He has produced, arranged, and performed on numerous recordings with jazz stars Stan Getz, Slide Hampton, Jon Hendricks, Eddie Henderson, Robin Eubanks, Ray Drummond, and Lewis Nash.

His compositions have been recorded by such jazz greats as Stanley Turentine, David "Fathead" Newman, Hank Crawford, and Claudio Roditi. He has written arrangements for The Art Blakey Big Band and he has been a guest conductor and arranger for The Benny Carter Orchestra. Treat yourself to a great night ! Tickets $20 advance/$25 at the door includes 2 sets, hors d'oeuvres, and cash bar at the BEST LISTENING ROOM IN TOWN. Call today and get your tickets 610.432.6715.

Shop For A Cause
When: Saturday, August 27, 2011

The Lehigh Valley Arts Council is partnering with MACY's for their Shop For A Cause program. You can purchase a $5 ticket at LVAC (100% of the proceeds go to us) and when you Shop for a Cause on Saturday, August 27, 2011, you'll receive 25% off on regular, sale and clearance merchandise throughout the store. And, you will be eligible to win a $500 gift card, no purchase necessary. Shop For A Cause Ticket - $5.00 *online ticket purchase includes a $1.00 processing fee

BUY ONLINE

Tickets are also available here:
Lehigh Valley Arts Council
840 Hamilton Street, Suite 201
Allentown, PA 18101
http://www.lvartscouncil.org/

___________________________________________________________
Click here to email Chen Arts.

Chen Arts Meeting This Saturday - May 21st

Next Chen Arts Meeting
The monthly Chen Arts meeting will be held this Saturday, May 21st at the House of Chen restaurant in Allentown. If you would like to attend, please email: chenarts.info@gmail.com to RSVP.

Baum School Art Auction
For anyone looking for something fun to do after the Chen Arts meeting, there will be an Art Auction at the Baum School of Art down the street later that evening. More information on the Art Auction.

Thank You Sarah!
Sarah has decided to step down from handling the communications for the group. We would like to say a huge thank you to Sarah for taking care of the Chen Arts communications for all of us, and wish her luck in all that she does! We hope to continue to see her at future Chen Arts meetings, thanks again!

For Chen Arts communications, questions, and information please contact Michelle Bodamer at chenarts.info@gmail.com.

Jazz Weekend - Tickets
Fabulous JAZZ WEEKEND this Friday evening and Sunday afternoon. Don't miss it! First, Our next Jazz Cabaret is Friday, May 20, 2011 featuring Craig Kastelnik & Friends with Bernard Purdie! 7:30 PM, Rodale Community Room, Allentown Symphony Hall. Sunday, May 22, 2011, 4:00 PM in the Concert Hall is the Jazz Benefit Concert for El Sistema (The Allentown Symphony Association's new program that will commence this fall at Roosevelt Elementary School - a program that will transform the lives of children through music).

ART NEWS - Help Secure Funding for the Arts!
PCA Faces 70% Reduction in HB 1485 - Contact your legislators by May 23, 2011!

From the Lehigh Valley Arts Council: "On 5/11/11 the PA House Appropriations Committee passed an amendment to the budget bill (HB 1485) that included a combined cut of over 70% to the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) administrative and grants line items. The bill will now go to the full House of Representatives for consideration on May 23.

So, what would it mean to the Lehigh Valley if the budget for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts was cut from $8.2 million to $2.5 million next year, as proposed by the PA House Appropriations Committee in HB 1485? Thirty-one nonprofit cultural organizations in our region would lose $350,000 next year in operating support—including ArtsQuest with the largest award of $88,450 down the list to the Lehigh Valley Arts Council with $2,948. Take Action!"

Meeting Notes 5/22/10

A small but lively group of Chensters enjoyed exotic and oh so delicious Malaysian Cuisine at our May monthly meeting, thanks to Jenny Chen. Our beautifully framed Arts Ovation Award for emerging artist is hanging in the front of the restaurant. I passed around the other official documents and proclamations that go with the award, and Ellen will be scanning the documents so we can post them at the blog. Congratulations to the group.

Ellen, who is helping to coordinate our next group show, presented some details about the show.
It is scheduled for August 7th-20th, with an opening on Aug. 7th at 7pm, at the Antonio Salemme Foundation Gallery on Hamilton St. in Allentown. Thanks to Joe Skrapits for offering the space. There will be a $10 entry fee, and Heather will be collecting the money, which is due at the end of June. Artists can submit up to 3 works of art, through e-mail. We can hang the show salon style, and will be able to fit up to 40 pieces to hang on the walls, plus there will be pedestals for sculpture, and shelving available for displaying art work. We will be limiting the size of the work to 24"x36" We will need volunteers to sit at the gallery, and to accept the work the weekend before the show. If you are interested in participating, please attend the next meeting so we can discuss forming committees of volunteers. If you are interested in showing your work, please volunteer in some way to help with the show. There is a piano at the gallery, and Heather has offered us a pianist to perform at our opening. Thanks Heather!

We discussed possible themes and titles for the show, but decided that we need more artist input, and we should conduct a vote (through group e-mail)
Here are the ideas we discussed: Renewal, Ovation, Emergence, Revolution, and Action
More details about the show will follow through group e-mail.

Sondra, Executive Director of HALA (Hispanic American League of Artists) addressed the group. Sondra is on a planning committee working on turning the vacant Neuweiler Brewery building into an arts center. She is surveying artists, organizations, and business owners to determine what needs they have for space. She will be sending online surveys to artists. The city owns the building, and the DCED (Dept. Community and Economic Development) is working with arts groups like HALA, Arts Luminarium, and others to turn the abandoned building into a green , environmentally sustainable, multicultural home for the arts in Allentown. Ideas we discussed: a possible future gallery space, artist studios, a theatre outlet, fashion, bakery, location to shoot movies.

Hope to see you at the next meeting, and look for e-mails and updates at the blog.

Angie Villa
Fish photo by Gianni

Meeting Notes 1/23/10

Thanks to everyone for attending our January meeting. Some of us enjoyed a tour of the fabulous new Salemme Foundation Gallery before our dinner. If you have not seen the gallery, please contact Joe Skrapits for a tour.

Sarah welcomed new members and spoke about our grant project which will feature thirteen 2'x2'x2' artist designed plexiglass cubes. The theme for this community art project is re-urbanization. The cubes will be on display, possibly at an indoor space, in June.

Pete Lewnes announced that he has been appointed President of the Allentown Arts Commission, and that Sarah Fulton has been nominated to serve on the Arts Commission. Congratulations to both Pete and Sarah. Pete spoke about Arts Ovation Award nominations which are due January 29th. Pete has gotten the Allentown City Arts blog running, and I will put up a link soon.
More great news from Pete: he informed us about a LANTA grant which is available for the restoration of public sculptures, murals at the transportation center, and other public works of art. Also, he is working on a new fabulous culinary school for 7th St.

Heather Haas is looking for artists to paint murals on garage doors in the city. For more details on this project, contact us at the e-mail and we will forward to Heather.

Diane Teti talked about the success of Art Mart. Business has slowed down a little since the holidays but she plans on having special events and artist workshops in the space soon. Channel 69 News, TV 2 News, and Lehigh Valley Magazine covered Art Mart, so there was good publicity. There was one sentence in the Morning Call's Retail Watch section. See link to Art Mart at our sidebar, and contact Diane if you would like more information. Diane also mentioned the idea of a Second Saturday Art Walk on Hamilton St. And don't miss Word Wednesdays at the Brew Works, organized by Yodi and Kari Holmes.

Greg Coates is featured in Lehigh Valley Magazine.

Angie Villa brought up the idea of a future group fine art show, possibly at the Allentown Art Museum Community Room gallery where we held our Velocity Show last year. If anyone has any suggestions or would like to coordinate the show, please contact us at the e-mail.
Also, if anyone is interested in helping create and maintain a Facebook page for Chen Arts, which links to the blog posts, please contact us at the e-mail. So far, Stefan and Kate expressed interest at the meeting.

I forgot to mention this at the meeting: The Villas, local original power-pop band, with special appearances by 8 yr. old Gianni Villa and 26 yr. old Pat Villa, will be performing at Mayfair, Sunday May 30th 5:30-7pm Lakeside Stage. See link at our sidebar.

Matt is working on "Fringe Fest" a music and art festival. I believe he mentioned Art and Soul Gallery would be involved too. Sorry, I missed some of the details here, maybe Matt can talk about that in a comment?

Please feel free to add anything in the comments. Thanks to everyone. The art scene in Allentown has really taken off. Thanks to Jenny Chen for outstanding Malaysian food. Thanks to Sarah for her work at the blog and e-mails. See you in February.

Angie Villa

Meeting Notes 11/21/09

Thanks to everyone who attended and spoke at our November meeting at House of Chen. We had a large turnout this month, and there was a lot to talk about. Thanks to Jenny at House of Chen for providing unique and delicious Malaysian cuisine. It's great to see so many local artists and community volunteers coming together to create a cool and very happening art scene in downtown Allentown.

ART MART is opening this FridayNovember 27th 5-8pm. Curator Greg Coates addressed the group, as well as Sarah, and event coordinator Diane Teti. The address is 813 W. Hamilton St. and ART MART will be open during the Holiday season Wed- Fri 11am-2pm and Fri- Sat 5pm-8pm.

Volunteers are needed to sit at the store, so contact Sarah at the e-mail if you are interested in helping. ART MART is on Facebook too, where you can check for updates.

Angie Villa spoke about THE ART OF GIVING art auction to benefit the Lehigh County Conference of Churches Soup Kitchen. The auction will be held at The Baum School of Art on March 19th. Artists can donate work, all proceeds will be given to the soup kitchen. Contact Sue Highet at 610-435-5054

Greg Coates spoke about UNSEEN: PAINTINGS BY CHRIS NEYEN a gallery show currently at Greg's studio at 614 Washington St. You can see the show by making an appointment with Greg. There was a great turnout for the opening. Show runs through Dec. 13th. Congrats to Chris!

Cathy and Jonathan Botch spoke about their online artist's website called Flashpoint Creativity, Inc. Address is http://www.flashpointcreativity.com/

Diane Teti spoke about Word Wednesdays at The BrewWorks, and that artists can have digital images of their work projected on a screen during the event. Yodi and Kari Holmes are coordinating this event.

Marilyn Hazleton talked about the Spoken Word poems at our blog, and the city's upcoming Haiku Competition.

Joe Skrapits informed us that he is no longer an Allentown Arts Commissioner, and invited us to see the new home of the Salemme Foundation , which is located across the street from the Americus on Hamilton St.

Ethel Drayton-Craig spoke about Jazz coming to The Allentown Symphony, Fri. Dec. 4th, and The Arts Luminarium.

Ro Geseck spoke about her murals at The Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, 4th and Walnut.

Don't miss the Hess's mural, it will be painted over when the exhibit ends on Jan. 10th. Ro's Civil War mural will be up until the summer.

Did I forget anything?

Angie Villa

Photo of PPL by Gianni Villa, taken the night of our meeting.

Meeting Notes 7/25/09

Thanks to all who attended our get together this past Saturday night at House of Chen. As always, it was fun to share some good food and enjoyable conversation with friends!

Georgine began our discussion with a great idea. On Sept. 11 there will be a pro cycling race in Allentown which will draw many people to Hamilton St. Perhaps the Chen Arts Group could set up a show in the "Hamilton For Rent" storefronts or on the street outside the storefronts. We will contact Yodi and find out if this is possible.

Sarah F and Susan W spoke about the upcoming "Day of the Dead" Halloween Celebration on 7th St. and how our group can participate with pumpkin carving, or maybe some kind of ghoulish creative venture. The event will be held on Halloween in the 300-600 block of 7th St. More about this later.

Sarah also spoke about the success of our recent AAM Show. She reported that the registrar at the museum said it was the best turnout she has seen for a Community Room Show, and that she received the most inquiries. Bill V reported that he spoke with a museum employee who told him that the museum staff was impressed with the turnout and also with the quality of the art work. We discussed the possibility of doing this show again next year. Thanks Sarah!

Joe Skrapits reported on the progress of 808 Hamilton St. (Site for a new arts center) He was able to keep repair costs low, and the elevator will be functioning. There will be a new theatre co. occupying the 4th floor. And Susan will be sending me info regarding a free art workshop on Saturdays for kids where Yodi and other local artists will be teaching projects such as mask making. The workshop is being held on 7th St. in a church. Details and info to follow.

Lots of exciting news about the arts in Allentown. Stay tuned. Get involved!

Angie Villa

Meeting Notes from Jan. 31 Gathering

Georgine Miller compiled these minutes of our recent dinner gathering. Please take a look and feel free to post your thoughts and comments about some of the subjects discussed here:

Angie Villa brought our meeting to order at about 7:50pm and gave the group information on the Chen Arts Group blog and e mail.

Sharon Hillman was the first to speak about a proposal for an Allentown Second Saturday. She had the idea of a studio tour which would end at a hub on Hamilton St. with dance and culinary events. There was some back and forth discussion about the work involved with this and the question of how often there would be a studio tour. Those interested should get in touch with Sharon. (Email chenarts.info@gmail.com to have your comments forwarded.)

Pete Lewnes talked about the 7th St., restaurants having music on the street and perhaps having art shown there. Duane “Yodi” Vaden also talked about Art on Hamilton. He is working with others to have artists in front of businesses on Hamilton and he already has seven businesses interested. Please speak to either Pete or Yodi if you want to get involved.

Pana Columbus from the Circle of Stones Ritual Theatre gave an exciting update on the development of the Green Multi Cultural Arts Center. They are hoping to have a weekend arts festival in Allentown involving the Latino community. (From May 15-17) There will be spaces at the Allentown Arts Park for fine arts. Registration forms are coming. Look at the web site artsluminarium. org.

Last but definitely not least, Joe Skrapits thanked the artists of Chen Arts for the “Miracle on Hamilton” at the Butz building. He then brought up Chen Arts having access to an arts space. 810 Hamilton is next to the Brew Works and the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floor are available. As an arts commissioner, Joe is working with the owner and the city for permits and to put together a lease. There is apparently the possibility of grant money also. Allentown Public Theater is interested in renting the 4th floor. Other groups are interested in renting as well. Ideas and sweat equity are needed from Chen. Just what Chen Arts has! Wow, thank you Joe.

After the meeting was adjourned it was realized that we did not talk about Mayfair. There may be a secured tent available for Chen to show, so stay tuned. Next meeting looks like the last Saturday of February. (That would be 2/28, at House of Chen, unless someone volunteers to host.)

Georgine Miller