Art Opening at fun new bookstore in Emmaus

Here are the details for an art opening featuring the work of Michael Shoudt at the Blind Willow Book Shop in Emmaus:



(image from the store's blog)

Blind Willow Bookshop - 412 Chestnut St., Emmaus: http://blindwillowbookshop.wordpress.com

Do we want to plan a group show?

Hi there. I recently sent out an email about holding our next group show at the Salemme Foundation on Hamilton Street. Please discuss dates, length of show, fees, planning, etc...in the comment section of this post.

Here are the basics:

Antonio Salemme Foundation is located at 542 Hamilton Street #203 on the second floor overlooking downtown Allentown.

The space is available for rent for a group show at $75 a week.

We may not be able to accommodate the 30-40 artists that we have in the past, but we could probably do 20 in this space. (I do not have the exact wall footage at this time, I am only estimating.)

Please discuss and decide if we should move forward. If someone would like to volunteer to coordinate this show, please step forward and send me an email at the address below! Thanks.

Sarah
chenarts.info@gmail.com

Arts Funding Alert from Citizens for the Arts in PA:

Dear Fellow Arts Advocates,

Will the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) be on the chopping block when the PA Senate finishes deliberations on the state budget?

Yesterday afternoon, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced Pennsylvania will end the fiscal year (June 30, 2010) with a deficit of over $1 billion. Without additional revenue enhancements, Rendell speculated that significant layoffs and furloughs are inevitable.

In reaction to the latest budget news, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Senate Appropriations Chair Jake Corman (R-Centre County) said that his caucus would push "for reducing spending to reflect the state's new "budget reality." He did not describe what cuts he would make." http://bit.ly/9zl3OL

We need your help and we need it NOW! The PA Senate is working on the state budget.

We need you to: Share this e-mail with friends, family and business associates and encourage them to advocate for the arts. Organize a trip to your State Senator's District Office ASAP (bring other arts advocates with you). Personal visits have the largest impact on public policy-makers. Share information about jobs supported by the arts with your senator (there are 62,000 full-time equivalent jobs that are supported by nonprofit arts organizations in PA) Make sure that you have at least one of the senator's constituents in your group.

These visits to your senator's district office are of vital importance to keep PCA funding in the FY 11-12 state budget. MAKE THAT APPOINTMENT TODAY!

Jenny L. Hershour
Managing Director
Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania

Looking Back

In light of the two year anniversary of the Allentown Chen Arts Group, I've been inspired to write my personal reflection of what the group has become and what it has accomplished in that time.

I guess I should give you some background. I am Sarah. The person who sends out the emails, handles correspondence and has coordinated some events. I create documentaries and short films with my husband Matt.

For more than a year now I've been the facilitator for the group, receiving regular emails from artists who want to share their art openings, events and collaboration opportunities with others. I also send out regular email reminders of upcoming meetings and write blog posts on topics that affect local artists and arts groups, such as state funding. I have enjoyed being the group switchboard operator, putting the people in touch with each other.

This is truly a group made up of individuals and I like the way remain unincorporated as an organization. We all have different goals and plans and styles of working. The group really doesn't have a mission or a grand goal, except to enhance the profile of the arts and artists in and around the community, and our numbers give us the strength to do that easier than one person alone.

Of the three group shows this group has pulled off, each one was as different as the locations and the coordinators involved. First, there was 16 & A Movie at Peter Lewnes' 7th Street loft. I think we pulled it off in less than two weeks, with Peter inviting artists in to transform his space into a gallery. The day of the OAPA House Tour, hundreds of people lingered and sipped wine and spoke with the artists. I know I was in awe of the local arts community coming together in a way it never has before through that show.

The next show, twice as many artists responded to the call for work. Greg, Kiki and Yodi spent days inside the Butz Building prepping it as a gallery. Joe and Antonio teamed up to make the electrical work fall into place. Rafa spent the night inside the space crafting an enormous vase out of newsprint. Yodi, always inspired, used hundreds of Chinese newspapers to craft the show's signature namesake piece, "Momentum." Kiki curated the show. The opening in that beautiful glass space was a hit. Hundreds of people stopped by that night. And for the following two weeks, teams of volunteers offered to sit in the gallery for a few hours each afternoon so the downtown residents and workers could come in and enjoy the exhibit.

Our third show, Velocity, at the Community Gallery of the Allentown Art Museum, is the one I coordinated. Not that I selected the pieces, that was done by a panel of artist volunteers. At the time, we were looking for a space to hold another show. Locations seemed lacking. Then I recalled the AAM space. It wasn't as "sexy" as our other locations, but it gave us access to a great audience. The arts enthusiasts that visit the museum daily to view world-renowned work would now be treated to a show by the Chen Arts Group. We had a terrific afternoon opening with a couple hundred guests in attendance.

(As of our most recent meeting - where we celebrated the 2-year anniversary - the group discussed locations for a fourth show. I plan to get in touch with the landlord to see if we can use it this summer. And of course, it would be downtown again.)

Aside from the group shows, there have been excellent individual efforts by people in the group or associated with the group to continue sharing work with the public. Yodi took the initiative to approach the owners of vacant downtown buildings to see if a small group of us could hang some artwork. The initial "Hamilton for Rent" exhibit was at 10th and Hamilton in the former gym. Yodi, Matt-Ryan-Dan, Greg and I created or displayed pieces. The show moved down the street and other artists joined in, like Rosemary Geseck and Chris Neyen. Heather Bush brought some jewelry to display. Eventually Greg Coates took a window in the 800 block, coordinated with the help of Diane Teti who has connections to building owners, and began a rotating display of his work and the work of others. This spurred Diane to move on her "Art Mart" idea and open a gallery/craft shop for the holiday season with the OK from the building owner. Greg coordinated the artists. A group of us got together to clean, polish and vacuum the space. We opened with a great turnout from the public and artists.

The Chen Arts Group is really home to a broad variety of interesting people. Many only turnout when a group show is announced. Others come to dinner religiously every month to hang out with their fellow artists but rarely show their work. Others never come to dinner but coordinate happenings and invite everyone else to participate. Not only does the degree of involvement vary, but the level of artistic training does as well. Some of the artists have exhibited internationally. Others teach. Some are still in school themselves. Or have recently taken a path into the arts and are excited to meet others who can offer support or even mentorship. We are an all-inclusive group. There is no official membership because everyone is welcome to participate at anytime, for as brief or as long as they like. How I got into facilitating I can't really recall. But I enjoy doing my part to raise the profile of the arts in Allentown.

We should all be proud of the Arts Ovation award being given to the group. While I was on vacation I know that Greg, Angie, Marilyn and Heather H. and Jenny Lim (owner of House of Chen) were videotaped for the award acceptance at House of Chen. Each person has a varied perspective on what this group has accomplished. I recall that first blog discussion among several of us who are still active founding members today. It's amazing we've stuck with it.

For a group whose basis of meeting revolves around Malaysian night at a Chinese restaurant, we've managed to accomplish some great projects, gain attention for ourselves, gain attention for others, and my favorite part, gain attention for the independent arts scene here in Allentown. I can say for certain after the last couple years of meeting everyone and corresponding with all of you that this group, and the separate individuals involved with it, has made a difference.

Stay tuned for a future group show. A location is in the works!

Also, don't forget...13 Chen artists will display their plexiglass cubes at the Arts Park during Allentown Freak Out, June 19.

And, keep your eyes open for the Allentown Chen Arts Group facebook page - coming soon. Stefan, a volunteer and newcomer to the group, has offered to maintain it.

Arts Ovation information

Some of you have asked me for information on the Arts Ovation awards luncheon. Here are the details again:

The event will be held May 6 at Holiday Inn, 9th and Hamilton Sts., Allentown. Doors open 11:15 a.m. Individual tickets are $35.

Please make checks payable to "Arts Ovation." And send them to: Susan Rutt, 1852 South Wood Street, Allentown, PA 18103.

Deadline is April 30 (Friday).

Happy Birthday and Congratulations!

This month marks the 2 year Birthday of the Allentown Chen Arts Group! (or is it Anniversary?) Thanks to all of the artists, supporters, and volunteers who have contributed to the success of this group. We have accomplished a lot in two years, thanks to our talented and dedicated volunteers. Let's keep the ball rolling and continue to produce high quality professional gallery shows and arts events in downtown Allentown.

Congratulations to the group for receiving an Arts Ovation Award from the Allentown Arts Commission. This award is for emerging artist/service to community. There will be an awards luncheon at The Holiday Inn on Hamilton St, May 6th. Tickets are $35.00. Please see The Arts Commission blog (link at sidebar) for more information, or contact Sarah if you are interested in attending. It would be great to see you there, because this award is for all of us. Thanks to the Arts Commission for recognizing our group.

Photo is from our first meeting. Please remember the people we have lost: Barba-Del Campbell, Bernadette Cozart, Fran Weaver, Craig from Art N Soul.

Angie Villa

Welcome to Allentown Freak Out!

I want to introduce you to a new festival coming to downtown Allentown this summer called Allentown Freak Out. This event is a "fringe festival," which means it will feature avant-garde arts and entertainment. I am one of the excited organizers of this event. There is a committee of people from various backgrounds working to make this festival happen.

Allentown Freak Out will be held June 18-19 mainly along the Hamilton Street corridor from 9th Street to 5th Street. We have participation from Allentown Public Theatre, fire arts performers, Happy Hooper Lehigh Valley, drummers, and more. There will also be a film screening, indie bands, and art exhibits.

Allentown Brew Works, House of Chen, Art-N-Soul Studios, the green at PPL Plaza and Allentown Arts Park are committed to serve as venues.

Even part of the Chen Arts Group will be participating with an art exhibit at the Allentown Arts Park. Thirteen plexiglass cubes designed by various artists will be unveiled in the theme of Re-Urbanization. (This is the project I secured a PPA Project Stream grant for.)

We are looking for sponsorship of this event. Your business can receive an ad in the official festival program for as little as $50. We are also offering individual artist discounts so please get in touch with us at: info@allentownfreakout.com

Pictured above: Fire hooping, one of the opening night performances planned for AFO.

Auditions Tomorrow (Sat. 3/27)

Allentown Public Theatre is holding auditions tomorrow, Saturday 3/27, for a play titled El Coqui. The story is based on Puerto Rican folklore.

Here's the info from the APT website:

Casting 3 men & 3 women for Allentown Public Theatre's Youth and Culture play, El Coqui. Seeking actors/singers with a strong ability in improvisation & movement, ages 14 and up. Guitar and indigenous percussion players as well as Bi-lingual, Hispanic/Latino and ethnic actors encouraged to audition. Please prepare a 60-second youth-oriented monologue, poem, or song to demonstrate skills sought. No accompanist. Bring instruments. Come prepared to participate in movement and animal improvisation.

Note: Auditions will take place from 12-5 p.m. at Theatre 514 (across 19th St. from Civic).

Arts advocacy update from Washington, D.C.

from Americans for the Arts:

Arts education advocacy has had an exciting few weeks in Washington! Several times this month leaders in Congress expressed concern and raised questions about the future of arts education with U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

Secretary Duncan has appeared before several Congressional committees to speak about education funding and federal reform efforts. We need to build on this momentum by raising these concerns in the broader public forum, like your local newspapers.

The questions to Secretary Duncan come at a critical time for arts education: The president's budget proposal calls for the federal arts education program to be consolidated with non-arts-specific education programs; Secretary Duncan has introduced a "blueprint" for reauthorizing education policy and has released new federal grants to spur reforms.

However, all around the country, including in Pennsylvania, we see arts education being challenged, reduced, and in many cases, being dropped from local school budgets.

In the past few weeks on Capitol Hill:

House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt (D-SC), based on questions posed by arts education leaders in his congressional district, asked Secretary Duncan about whether the arts were being put on the "backburner."

Senate Education Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) said that, "Not every kid's brain is wired for math and science and engineering...some are more artistic, more creative, in music and in the arts..." and questioned Secretary Duncan about how arts education will be supported within the White House's new education "blueprint."

House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) during the Secretary's testimony on his FY 2011 budget request brought up his personal interest in music and how providing the arts in schools can help keep students who might drop out otherwise engaged.

Secretary Arne Duncan responded each time that he has consistently heard about the "narrowing of the curriculum" during his trips around the country and how that the Administration is committed to strengthening arts education opportunities in the future.

Americans for the Arts is preparing a major effort this year to support arts education in upcoming education reform initiatives and funding. As part of our outreach timeline, we ask that you take action now by taking two minutes to visit our E-Advocacy Center and send a customizable letter to your local news outlets supporting arts education both in your community and at the federal level.

Next on the calendar is National Arts Advocacy Day in Washington, DC on April 13, where we will be calling on arts education advocates from around the country to contact their members of Congress on these very same issues.

Help us continue this important work by becoming an official member of the Arts Action Fund. If you are not already a member play your part by joining the Arts Action Fund today -- it's free and simple: www.artsactionfund.org

Arts Advocacy Rally in Harrisburg

From Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania:

Dear Fellow Arts Advocate:

House Bill 2279, commonly referred to as the budget bill, is expected to be voted on by the full PA House of Representative next week. In the current version, the line item for Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) grants is at $10 million. If HB 2279 passes in the current form, it will certainly be changed by members of the Pennsylvania Senate when it goes to the Senate Chamber after the House vote. Last year, the Senate voted to ELIMINATE the line item for arts grants and it could happen again this year. Help us prevent that from happening.

Join your fellow arts advocates at the 2010 PA Arts Advocacy Rally at the State Capitol in Harrisburg on Monday, April 26. It could be our only chance to let the members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly see how important the arts are to our communities, our economy, and to our schools.

For more information or to register for the rally, click on the link below. While we would like you to register for the event, it is not required for participation.

Click HERE to register.

Jenny Hershour
Managing Director
Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania
jlh@citizensfortheartsinpa.org
717.234.0959

Group Show Discussion

I know many of you are interested in having a group show this summer. You may have heard that we are unable to use the community room at the art museum due to the expansion project taking place this year.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a new show location?

Please feel free to start a discussion in the comment section of this post. Moderation is down for the time being to enable the conversation. Thanks.

Goodbye to Barba-Del

We received the unfortunate news that Barba-Del Campbell, one of Allentown's most beloved residents, a true lady and lover of the arts, passed away over the weekend. Here are the details and a lovely photo of Barba-Del by Scott Snyder.

Received via email:

I reget to report the lost of art patron and Valley resident, Barba-Del Campbell. She was born Feburay 9, 1932 and died Saturday March 6, 2010 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, 6:30 am. She was an Icon in the Lehigh Valley.

A memorial service will be held at the House of Chen, 732 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown, Pa, on Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 1-4pm.

She will live on in all of our stories and the history of the Lehigh Valley.

For more info goto Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/yodi.vaden#!/event.php?eid=355853286580&ref=mf

Show at Touchstone, through 4/30

This show features work by Chris Neyen, a Chen group show regular.

Info from Liz Wheeler:

The Touchstone Theatre Gallery is delighted to be showing the work of Claire Marcus, Michelle Neifert, and Chris Neyen (through April 30).

For more info, call 610-867-1689 or visit http://www.touchstone.org/.

Touchstone is located at 321 East 4th St. in south Bethlehem.

KU's Sharadin Art Gallery announces 2011 Installation Artist Residency Project

RESIDENCY PROJECT
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Award: $ 10,000 project budget, housing and production assistants provided

Residency Dates: Jan. 10 - 27, 2011Exhibition on view: Jan. 28 - March 4, 2011

The Sharadin Art Gallery at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania requests proposals from artists, craftspersons, and designers for the production of an original, temporary, site-specific installation for our exhibition space.

The artwork will remain on view from January 28 - March 4, 2011. The selected artist (or artist team) will be awarded $10,000. The award must cover all material and labor costs associated with the production of the work, all travel expense to and from our site, all incidental costs, meals, and all artist fees and honoraria.

The university will provide housing one block from the gallery (Main Street Inn) for one artist -- all remaining housing costs for additional artists and/or support personnel must be covered from the $10,000 award.

A group of Kutztown University students will be available to assist with the physical production of the selected proposal. Application deadline is end-of-business, Friday June 11, 2010

Please see complete details at: http://www.kutztown.edu/acad/artgallery/x_residency.html

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

New event coming in May

info from Alfonso Todd:

THE LEHIGH VALLEY MUSIC AND FASHION EXPO
"Timeless Looks and Sounds"

BLURB MEDIA/PROMOTIONS, REDLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT, VIZYONS PUBLIC RELATIONS, FRESH START MUSIC, APPLESEED ENTERTAINMENT, and
ALFONSO TODD & ASSOCIATES will be hosting the 2 day
LEHIGH VALLEY MUSIC AND FASHION EXPO at the Banana Factory, at
25 W. Third Street, in Bethlehem, PA on May 21 and 22, 2010.

This will be an affair for up and coming artists, as well as seasoned professionals, in the Lehigh Valley and beyond, who have an interest in the music and fashion industry.

THE LEHIGH VALLEY MUSIC AND FASHION EXPO will be a community-based event that will involve local residents, merchants, and proprietors, but it will, also, be the genesis of another quality annual event that will make the Lehigh Valley a prime destination.

The goal is to provide the opportunity for all attendees to experience an
informational, educational, and family-oriented event.

Seminars, networking, talent showcases, and fashion shows will abound. In addition, there will be panel discussions, video presentations, and VIP events.

THE LEHIGH VALLEY MUSIC AND FASHION EXPO promises to not only be a grand experience, but the organizers are dedicated to making this affair into an endeavor which would "make an effective change in our communities by doing activities that get the area residents, merchants, and proprietors directly involved in quality, progressive, and positive events".


SPONSORSHIP AND VENDOR OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE

CONTACT: ALFONSO TODD & ASSOCIATES
TELEPHONE# 484 619 6541
E-MAIL:alfonsotodd36@msn.com

CONTACT: BLURB MEDIA/PROMOTIONS
TELEPHONE# 610 241 8285
E-MAIL:bestimpression4u@yahoo.com

The Vagina Monologues in Bethlehem

Information sent by Angela Sinkler, organizer of V-Day Bethlehem 2010:

Vagina Monologues at Banana Factory, 25 W. Third St., Bethlehem

Performances:

Friday, March 19th: 7pm

Saturday, March 20th: 6:30pm

Sunday, March 21st: 4pm

Tickets $10

Proceeds benefit the YWCA of Bethlehem and The Women and Girls of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

To purchase tickets, contact Angela Sinkler at 610-868-1035 or esas518@verizon.net

V-DAY
V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual slavery.
MISSION
V-Day is an organized response against violence toward women.
V-Day is a vision: We see a world where women live safely and freely.
V-Day is a demand: Rape, incest, battery, genital mutilation and sexual slavery must end now.
V-Day is a spirit: We believe women should spend their lives creating and thriving rather than surviving or recovering from terrible atrocities.
V-Day is a catalyst: By raising money and consciousness, it will unify and strengthen existing anti-violence efforts. Triggering far-reaching awareness, it will lay the groundwork for new educational, protective, and legislative endeavors throughout the world.
V-Day is a process: We will work as long as it takes. We will not stop until the violence stops.
V-Day is a day. We proclaim Valentine's Day as V-Day, to celebrate women and end the violence.
V-Day is a fierce, wild, unstoppable movement and community. Join us!
5 REASONS FOR MEN TO SUPPORT V-DAY:
Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Girlfriends, Wives

Feb. 20, 2010 Meeting Notes

We had decent turnout for the meeting. About 20 of us met for tasty Malaysian dishes and conversation. The photo above (taken by Diane Teti) is of a tasty seafood and veggie dish in a homemade shredded potato bird's nest.

Here's a breakdown of what was announced or took place at the meeting:

Sarah Fulton was officially appointed to the Allentown Arts Commission.

The commission is holding its Arts Ovation Awards in May and the Chen Arts Group will be receiving an award for being an emerging arts organization. Hooray!

Allentown Freak Out - a fringe festival to be held downtown - is set for June 18-20. A committee of artists and business people are partnering to organize and host the events. The festival embraces arts, cultural experiences and performances outside the mainstream - i.e. "on the fringe." Music, film, theatre, fire performers and buskers will be featured. To volunteer, please email info@allentownfreakout.com To donate toward the cause (any amount is greatly appreciated) please email donate@allentownfreakout.com If you want to sponsor an event or an art group, write to sponsors@allentownfreakout.com

Plans for a group show at Allentown Art Museum have been canceled. The community gallery will be closed this summer for the museum's long-awaited expansion. If anyone is able to offer space at a building around downtown Allentown, please contact chenarts.info@gmail.com

Sue Highet is still seeking artwork donations for the Art of Giving silent auction on March 19. The auction raises funds for the Soup Kitchen. The organizers are particularly short on photography and sculpture donations. Please contact Sue if you'd like to donate your work: 610-435-5054

Yoga instructor John Mann is hosting Big Guy Yoga at Allentown Brew Works from 9 am to 4 pm on Feb. 28. Details are forthcoming. See more info at: http://www.thebrewworks.com/events/

Photographer Kate Hughes is performing in the Vagina Monologues at Banana Factory. Show dates and times are: 7 p.m. Mar.19, 6:30 p.m. Mar. 20 and 4 p.m. Mar. 21. All proceeds benefit charity. Details are forthcoming for this event as well.

Last but not least, Chenster and photographer Jim Gallucci was on hand, along with writer Anne Schauer, to take a photo of the group for an Allentown guide being produced by the Chamber of Commerce. The guide will feature the group and House of Chen under a special section titled "Treasures Known & New." The guide will be in circulation this spring. Be sure to keep an eye out for it and all our smiling faces!

Promote Yourself!

Check out this interesting service offered through PS1 and share the details with your friends.

(info sent by way of Greg Coates)

P.S.1 announces the launch of a new Studio Visit website and this
weekend's Saturday Sessions performances.

A website that invites artists and collectives to exhibit their works
online and invites viewers into their studio spaces, Studio Visit
encourages the local and international artist community to participate
in an online artistic pool of information and a research tool for future
exhibitions. For more details PS1.org.

sample of one finished;

http://ps1.org/studio-visit/artist/michal-barkai

create your own;

http://ps1.org/studio-visit/create-visit

Free Drawing Sessions in Allentown

from Joe Skrapits:

DRAWING FROM SCULPTURE
-at-
ATELIER SALEMME

FREE, OPEN SESSIONS

Saturday afternoons, 1-4
Beginning Feb. 13

Draw from our unique collection of nudes, portraits and multi-figure compositions by Antonio Salemme, one of America’s foremost 20th-century classical sculptors.

Guarantee: Our models hold still!

Antonio Salemme Foundation
542 Hamilton Street, Suite #203
Allentown

610-433-4150
www.antoniosalemme.org

Dominican Artists Show at Baum School

Show opens Feb. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Baum School, 5th and Linden Sts. in Allentown. Please attend and show support for our local artists.