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
The Allentown Chen Arts Group includes artists living and working in Allentown, as well as regional artists who are interested in exhibiting and selling their work in Allentown. The group includes visual artists, film makers, musicians, dancers, writers, and creative people of all ages who are interested in supporting and promoting the arts in Allentown.
4 comments:
I'm sorry I missed your gathering, but I had to be away for the weekend. I heard the discussion and turnout was fabulous, with more new people finding their way to the Chen Arts Group. Congratulations!
Yes, the group keeps growing, and so does support for the arts in Allentown. Thanks for your support Joyce.
Sorry I didnt make it, I had an emergency to take care of.
I understand there has been some misunderstanding in the blogosphere about the Chen group's role in the 808 building. The minutes have been updated to reflect the nature of what's happening. Didn't want anyone to think this was going to be our building, but its really exciting that we could have a space to rent for gallery shows. Sorry if there was any confusion.
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