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.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
REMINDER: CHEN ARTS GROUP MEETING THIS SATURDAY!
- 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.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
UPCOMING EVENTS - Theatre | Art Auction | Next Chen Meeting
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Next Chen Arts Group Meeting: October 22nd 2011 - Please RSVP/Attend
- 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.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sunday Figure Drawing Starting September 11th at Salemme Foundation
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Support Local Artists - The Allentown Art Mart
Thursday, August 18, 2011
UPCOMING EVENTS & 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.
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.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Reminder: Chen Arts Meeting Saturday June 18th, 2011
Questions? email: chenarts.info@gmail.com
Sunday, June 12, 2011
ALLENTOWN FREAK OUT RETURNS JUNE 24 & 25, 2011
The Lehigh Valley's first and only fringe festival returns for a second year on June 24 & 25 in downtown Allentown featuring fire performers, burlesque, sideshow, cabaret, film screening, dance, multiple bands, and --new this year--a pageant.
Events kickoff Friday night, June 24, at 9 pm at the Electric Green near 9th and Hamilton. West Philadelphia Orchestra, a funky, raucous jam of Eastern European-style brass and string music, will perform simultaneously with The Burning Hearts Fire & Light Theater.
The fun continues Saturday with the first annual Miss Freak Out Pageant. Ladies may enter free of charge at www.allentownfreakout.com. Judges will ask brief and irreverent questions followed by a display of talent by the contestants. The winner will become a Wink Magazine centerfold and receive a $100 gift certificate to made in Brazil.
Saturday's events include performances by Olde City Sideshow. Abzahrah Middle Eastern dance company, Ten Tiny Dances, The Burning Hearts Fire & Light Theater with DJ Unit 13, Revival Burlesque, a cabaret show by LoveSpinDance, plus Freak Out Flickers film screening, and music by Goodnight Stars, Goodnight Air; Juice Box, the zany This Way to the Egress and more.
"It cheers me to offer such merriment to the good men and womenfolk of Allentown and beyond," says Allen T. Freekoutz, master of ceremonies. "This year's array of entertainers offers something for everyone."
The public is urged to bring blankets and chairs to enjoy performances at the outdoor venue. Other free, family-friendly events take place indoors at House of Chen at 732 Hamilton Street and adult-oriented entertainment will be held at Allentown Brew Works' Silk Lounge at 812 Hamilton Street.
All events remain FREE to the public. More info can be found at the event website at www.allentownfreakout.com.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Chen Arts Meeting This Saturday - May 21st
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!"
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Kids & Teen Photography Class at Baum
Instructor: Michelle Bodamer
Explore the world of Photography! Learn to shoot, develop film, and print photos in a real darkroom. Students should have a manual SLR film camera. Supply lists will be provided at the first class. Space is still available and classes start this Saturday, February 26th. Sign up today!
Sign up link: http://www.baumschool.org/class-details.php?target=20&sess=Spring&classType=Children%20and%20Teen
http://www.baumschool.org
www.michellebodamer.com
Monday, February 21, 2011
Allentown artist Gregory Coates featured in Berlin show

ADA POST Presents:
Children of Paradise
February 19th – March 12th
Viewed by Appointment
Nordbahnstraße 10, 13409 Berlin, Germany. +49 (0) 30 51 06 02 24
Dada Post proudly presents our first exhibition of the 2011 season titled: Children of Paradise. This is a multigenerational exhibition presented under the banner of our yearlong Geopraxis program, and features ten highly diverse artists - who do not live or work in Berlin, although all (except one) lived or currently lives in New York.
The Artists:
Hugo Bastidas ¡ Dineke Blom ¡ Gregory Coates ¡ Edward Clark ¡ Asha De Costa ¡ Julie Durkin ¡ Nickolas Krushenick¡ Elizabeth Newman Kuiper ¡ Kazuko Miyamoto ¡ Alan Uglow
The exodus from New York over the past decade, to places like Los Angeles and Berlin, has been nothing short of amazing. It seems that New York's centrality to the art world has passed its peak, and is teetering under the weight of a “money creed with out culture”.
As Leonard Cohen famously sang: "First we'll take Manhattan, then we'll take Berlin."
Children of Paradise: in the case of this exhibition, is one that examines the interloper status (like an invasive species), which applies to non-indigenous species, or "non-native", animals whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic harm, environmental harm, or harm to cultural autonomy. The term "invasive" is used for the most aggressive species. These species grow and reproduce rapidly, causing major disturbance to the areas in which they are present – thanks to drugs – sex- and rock n roll.
Geopraxis:
Seeking/Rejecting the Emblematic in Global Culture
Geopraxis is a Dada Post yearlong program of inquiry on the state of art practice of our current era of global society. It is a program initiated by Dada Post to examine the conditions and problems of the phenomenon of globalization, and its impact on art practice.
Is it true that any environment that attracts, sustains, and retains globally resourceful artists will inevitably flourish and blossom into something new and exciting? The colonization of Berlin by a steady influx of artists from all over the world since 1989 has resulted in a consequence where Berlin has become the new global center for the disparate ideas that currently inform every kind of contemporary art. The current Berlin art scene is diverse in its condition, and very focused on the arrival of its internationalization.
For more information please contact: info@dadapost.com
Follow Dada Post On Facebook
Dada Post is now featured on Sleek magazine’s selection of the city’s most interesting art spots, in the form of an iPhone application.
DIRECTIONS:
By S-Bahn:
S-1 (Direction Oranienburg) and S-25 (Direction Hennigsdorf), to the Schönholz station.
If you take the S-Bahn be sure to exit at the Schönholz station –
not the Wollankstrasse station.
Friday, February 18, 2011
House considering deeper cuts to NEA
Yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment to H.R. 1, the appropriations continuing resolution, which severely reduces current year funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The vote added an additional $20.5 million cut on top of an already underlying $22.5 million reduction. If the U.S. House completes its work on this appropriations legislation today, the NEA's FY 2011 budget will have been reduced from $167.5 million to $124.5 million - a cut of 26% and the deepest cut to the NEA in 16 years.
Citizens for the Arts and Americans for the Arts is asking that you do the following:
Congress will begin a 10-day recess on February 18. When they return, the U.S. Senate will begin consideration of their own version of the FY 2011 funding legislation as early as February 28. While members of Congress are back home in their districts, we encourage you to inform your local media about the devastating impact the House appropriations bill would have on the arts in your community. Americans for the Arts has set up a Media Alert through their E-Advocacy Center to help you quickly and efficiently send your opinions to the local radio, TV, and newspaper stations in your area. They've already matched up the media contacts for you based on your zip code. You just need to customize the article's talking points and hit send.
We need the Senate to reverse the potentially devastating effects that could be caused on the arts that the FY 2011 appropriations bill passed by the House today. The customizable Media Alert is a fast and easy way to communicate your support for the NEA to local media outlets and help show your U.S. Senators why the NEA is an important grant-making agency in your state.
Please use this next week to write letters to the editor or op-ed pieces about this devastating cut. Don't stop with your letter - ask board members, friends and family to do the same.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Further NEA Cuts Proposed
As you may recall from our E-Alerts last week, the U.S. House of Representatives is considering major cuts to federal programs this week. In the bill they're considering, the NEA will be reduced from $167.5 million to $145 million. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) has introduced an amendment to further cut that amount by $20.5 milllion from the NEA budget. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) has introduced an amendment to terminate funding to the NEA immediately in this fiscal year. Both amendments are in line to be considered this week.
PLEASE take two minutes right now to contact Rep. Charlie Dent and request a voteagainst those amendments -- you can use our customized E-Advocacy Center to send that message.
Please spread this message to other arts advocates in your congressional district. Thank you for your arts advocacy!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
deeper cuts to arts funding
Friday, February 11, 2011
Arts Funding Cuts?
From Citizens for the Arts in PA (2/11/11):
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) faces a reduction of approximately $12 million to the current year's appropriation in a Continuing Resolution (CR) appropriations package that will be presented on the floor of the U.S. House of Representative early next week. This would bring the current year appropriation to $155 million. Deeper cuts could be made to the NEA appropriation through the inclusion of amendments that can be offered to the CR on the House floor.
Americans for the Arts and Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania is urging you to take two minutes today to send an e-mail to your members of the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation expressing your concern about additional cuts beyond those offered in the CR. Americans for the Arts has created an e-mail template for your use to make it easier to contact your Representatives.
Take two minutes, right now, to send that e-mail.
Thanks.
Sincerely,
Jenny
Jenny L. Hershour
Managing Director
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Poetry Event in Manayunk on Sunday 2/13
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
DRAFT MRAC Hosts Valentine’s Haiku Program
Manayunk, PA (February 3, 2011) Celebrating the spirit of Valentine’s Day, the Manayunk Roxborough Art Center will host “The Heart of Haiku and Other Japanese Forms” on Sunday, February 13th from 3:30 to 5:30pm. Facilitated by award-winning poets Elizabeth Bodien and Marilyn Hazelton, the program will include the history and techniques of haiku, tanka and related forms, followed by an open mike. Participants will be encouraged to read their own haiku or tanka, or to read Japanese-style poems from books and journals that will be available on that day.
The world of haiku and tanka is expanding each year. These forms and others appear in online and print journals in Europe, Africa, India, Australia, as well as in Japan, the U.S. and Canada. Participants in “The Heart of Haiku…” will take away a list of resources for reading and for publishing their work if they wish to continue in this field.
Rostered as a poet with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts since 2000, Marilyn Hazelton teaches poetry in public and private schools in Pennsylvania. Her work includes residencies or readings in France, Japan and Morocco. Her writings include poetry, art reviews, op-eds and book reviews published regionally, nationally and internationally. She is editor of the tanka journal, red lights.
Peter Krok, the Humanities Director of the MAC, is the coordinator of the M/RAC Reading Series and is Editor of Schuylkill Valley Journal.
The afternoon literary series at the M/RAC started in the fall of1990. There is a $4 donation and, of course, refreshments are provided. For information about the program, call the MAC at 215-482-3363.
Manayunk-Roxborough Art Center
419 Green Lane (rear)
Philadelphia, PA 19128
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Artist in Residence Opportunity

The Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild offers month long Artist in Residence (AIR) opportunities for visual artists, composers, playwrights/screenwriters, and writers of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Longer residencies are available for ceramic artists. The AIR sessions generally occur during the months of June, July, August, and September. The Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild's goal is to provide solitude in a community and uninterrupted time in which to concentrate on creative work alongside fellow artists. Opened in 1903, the Byrdcliffe Art Colony was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites in 1979 for its architectural and historical significance. It is located in the Catskill Mountains, 1.5 miles from the center of Woodstock, New York.
For more information or to apply, please go to http://www.woodstockguild.org/artist_in_residence/index.html
The application deadline is Tuesday, March 1, 2011.
A view of "Walking the Edge"
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Art Opening at First Friday

THE GALLERY AT HOME & PLANET
25 East Third Street • Bethlehem, PA 18015-1304
610-866-7370 • www.homeandplanet.com
Hours: Mon,Tue,Wed 10-6, Thur 10-7, Fri 10-8
Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5
Form Revealed
Nude Drawings by Edward Meneeley
This show includes drawings done over the past 35 years by
internationally renowned artist Edward Meneeley. Born in Wilkes
Barre in1927 and now living in Lehighton, Mr. Meneeley was part of
the influential group of American Abstract Expressionist painters living
in New York in the 1950’s. “Every model is different,” Meneeley says,
“though some give more than others in the experience of their energy
unfolding through my lines onto paper. Each are intimate in their own
way.” Meneeley’s work is included in major public and private
collections throughout the world including the Museum of Modern Art
in New York and the Tate Modern in London.
Opening, First Friday
Friday, February 4, 2010
7:00-10:00 pm
Show runs through Feb. 27