Portside Arts Center Blog

2012-01-19T20:12:00.000-08:00

Sunday, February 19, 2012, 4-7pm at FINNIGAN’S WAKE 3rd & Spring Garden St.

$12 per person donation

To donate online visit http://www.generocity.org/nonprofits/8613

The SAVE THE ARTS & MUSIC benefit show will be a fun night with great live, local bands, “Lost In Company” and “Lady” that feature Portside’s own talented instructors, drink specials and the Good Feeling you will have by supporting your community. Portside is the only community arts and music center of its kind in the river wards! Unfortunately, we are really struggling to sustain and with YOUR help Portside can continue to provide artistic enrichment for the community. Money raised will go to Portside’s Scholarship Fund & Programming

Portside’s Mission

Our mission is to empower the children and adults of our community with opportunities to develop their artistic abilities, awaken the imagination, and build self esteem and confidence. Through the arts we provide a safe haven for our community to nurture creativity, diversity, literacy and health for the betterment of all.

History

The Portside Arts Center is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) community-based, educational arts center located at 2531 E. Lehigh Avenue, on the border of the Fishtown and Port Richmond neighborhoods of Philadelphia. In 2007, Director, Kim Creighton, a 20 year resident and skilled mosaic and metal artist purchased a two story 6,000 square foot building. Alongside dedicated friends and volunteers worked very hard to renovate the space in preparation to house the Portside Arts Center. They turned a warehouse filled from floor to ceiling with old furniture, old machinery, clothes, and collectibles into two visual art classrooms, a performing arts room and a music studio. Since 2008, the Portside has received nothing but great reviews and feedback from members of the community, media, local businesses and schools. The Portside offers more than 60 different music, visual and performing arts classes to children teens and adults. In 2011 the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program completed our full building educational fish mural that we are so proud to have on our walls.

Come see our beautiful Tropical Fish Mural.

Their Struggle

To fulfill her dream and vision of making the Portside a permanent amenity to the greater Port Richmond community Director, Kim Creighton has been working more than 60 hours a week unpaid since 2008. The little income Portside makes barely pays utilities, staffing, supplies, and our student scholarship fund. There are no other arts centers of its kind in our area and very little to no arts and music education within the schools. Due to the limited financial resources of the families in our community, Portside has been providing partial and full scholarships through fundraising to children, teens and adults who cannot afford to participate in our visual, performing and music programs. They provided over $4,600 in scholarships last year alone. On January 21, 2012 Portside moves into their fifth year and our goal is to make Portside a permanent cornerstone in our community. Please help keep the arts in your community by supporting and donating to Portside Arts Center.

This event is sponsored in part by Mike Driscoll of Finnigan’s Wake

Donate though PayPal or mail in a check made out to Portside

A tax deductible receipt is available upon request

Art ProjeX pictures from 11.30.11

2011-12-01T12:49:00.001-08:00

Our students did an awesome job with this opposite color drawing project! Each student got to pick out their own object to draw and then had to use 2 opposite colors to create their image with. They all did such a wonderful job!! Check out the pictures below!

Portside's New Teacher & New Classes!!

2011-11-30T14:35:00.001-08:00

Stefanie Emery is a local musician artist who will be teaching a jewelry class, screen printing class and pop music class starting in January 2012. Stefanie is the co-owner of Orgotton a contemporary clothing and jewelry store. There she designs her own t-shirts, necklaces, earning, dresses and much more so check out her store on the web at www.orgotton.com. Stefanie also specializes in guitar, violin and vocal lessons. She will be introducing the Portside students to a fun and new group voice class featuring music from famous young artists such as Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and Justin Bieber. Read the class descriptions below for more details and sign up now!!

'Fun with Feathers' Jewelry Making Workshop

Ages 10-15 Wednesdays 5-6 Starts January 11th

Do you love the feather jewelry trend that is so popular right now? Learn how to make your own feather jewelry in this class! Each week students will learn how to make a different accessory using feathers, beads and stones! Earrings, necklaces, hair clips, and bag charms will be the focus. Wearing your own creations beats buying jewelry from stores! We will use some up-cycled materials for some of the projects, turning something old into something new! This fun class will inspire young creative minds to express their artistic abilities through fashion!

etsy page for my jewelry 'Staylow by Orgotton'-http://www.etsy.com/shop/Staylow?ref=seller_info

Screen Printing Workshop

Age-Teens and Adults Wednesdays 6:30-8 Starts January 11th

Screen printing is a fun way to personalize and decorate a number of crafts! This beginner screen printing class will teach the basic techniques of silk screen printing using a variety of fun images. Each week students will get to print an image on a different material including folders, cards, fabrics and canvas's. Screen printing is fun and easy, and students will learn that simple materials such as mesh screen and ink are unique tools to turn a blank canvas into a work of art!

website for Orgotton www.orgotton.com

Learn to Sing Like Your Favorite Pop Star!

Ages 7-13 Mondays 5-6 Starts January 9th

Do you love singing along to your favorite pop star's songs? If so, this class is for you! This fun vocal workshop will teach vocal technique through voice exercises and will strengthen not only your singing voice, but your confidence too! Students will learn 2 popular songs per week by singing along with karaoke tracks and live instrumentation. As this is a group class, students will learn to sing with one another, as well as by themselves. Learning lyrics, melodies, musical phrasing, and performance techniques will be strongly emphasized. A strong interest in popular music and singing is a must!

Mommy & Me ~ Arts & Crafts

2011-11-30T14:09:00.001-08:00

Check out our mommy & me crafts!!!

GIVE A HAND TO OUR TURKEY CRAFTS!!

2011-11-30T14:00:00.001-08:00

Check out the awesome cool projects that our students did in Novembers Arts & Crafts class!!!

"Your a good man Charley Brown" Play at the Portside

2011-11-30T13:22:00.001-08:00

Portside's acting class wrapped up the semester with short skits from the classic Charley Brown. The production was wonderfully preformed by the little actors and actresses from Portside's fall theater class. Please sign up now for the next class starting January 18th!! See our website for more details!

Arts & Crafts 3D GO GREEN DRAGON PROJECT!!

2011-11-30T12:54:00.000-08:00

WOW!!! LOOK AT OUR STUDENTS CREATING A 3D DARGON MADE OUT OF ALL RECYCLED MATERIALS!! The kids had a awesome time on this project contracting the piece out of cardboard, egg cartons, old news papers, and decorated it with paint, feathers, googley eyes, glitter and more!! Reduce, Reuse, Recycled RAWRRR!!!!!

Fine art painting & drawing 2011

2011-11-29T13:09:00.000-08:00

Our very talented students did a great job on their portrait drawing during last weeks class. They had an hour to complete a portrait and all of them did a magnificent job! Check out their drawings!

PORTSIDE'S TRIP TO THE ADVENTURE AQUARIUM!!

2011-11-29T13:06:00.000-08:00

This past black friday we took our students to the Camden Adventure Aquarium! They had a great time petting the sting ray's small sharks and got to visit with Scuba Santa! The top two things to see at the aquarium were the Hippopotamus and the Shark tunnel! Check out our pictures!!

Adventure Aquarium Permission Form

2011-11-23T14:16:00.000-08:00

Click on image then print!

Arts-N-Crafts!

2011-10-21T12:13:00.001-07:00

Our students got to create their own felt monsters in the arts and crafts class! They had a great time cutting out the shapes and moving them around the felt!

Art ProjeX

2011-10-21T12:06:00.001-07:00

Our students did awesome work with their collage still lifes! Each week they do a different project learning about many different types of art forms and techniques!

Look at the Mosaics class!!

2011-10-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

The mosaic students are working away at their projects! They only have one week left to complete the course! They are doing beautiful work.

The benefits to your child of learning to play music...

2011-09-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

Article rank

22 Sep 2011

Philadelphia Daily News

Page 43.

The benefits to your child of learning to play music

A humorous arts advocacy flyer from years ago commanded, “Expose yourself to art.” Its photograph showed from behind a bare-l egged museum visitor with his arms spread and trench coat flung open to Rodin’s “The Thinker.”

It’s good advice, especially f or children. The findings of many studies have reported links between children engaging in art — e. g., taking music lessons — and intellectual and emotional achievement.

In fact, one study reported that high school music students averaged 38 points higher i n verbal and 21 points higher i n math on the SAT. And a Rockefeller Foundation study found that undergraduate music majors have the highest rate of admission to medical school.

Those are some impressive young-adult accomplishments f or a weekly hour or so of tickling the ivories, bowing a fiddle, pounding the hides or blowing a horn as a child. Learning to play a musical instrument can confer upon your youngster advantages at school and with self-confidence, teamwork and physical development.

Schoolwork

Several studies have pointed to a link between children’s success i n school and l earning to play music. Piano lessons, f or example, help children sharpen their natural l earning processes. Because music is a language with individual elements sequencing and accruing into broader meaning, l earning to play an instrument can help your child develop skills needed to master language arts. Studies have shown that musical training physically develops the part of the brain known to be involved with processing language.

In addition, the bi-dexterity and multiple senses required to play a musical instrument engages both right and left brain interplay that stimulates neural development i n your child.

Learning music teaches children how to stay focused and to set and achieve goals. When l earning to play a piece, your child sets specific goals and then works to fulfill them. Each new piece of music demands a specific set of skills and playing habits. When interpreting music, your child studies each note while anticipating the score’s next few bars. This employed critical thinking and creativity can be transferred to other academic and life pursuits.

Self confidence

Learning to play an instrument allows your child to encounter and overcome challenge. By mastering an instrument with which your child was initially awkward and creating music, he experiences the elation of accomplishment. Self-confidence rises along with the belief that obstacles, with persistence and through incremental, small steps, can be surmounted ( a critical life lesson).

Self-confidence also comes from preparation, performance in front of an audience and pressure. Weekly lessons instill the idea of persistence and improvement. Dealing with the anxiety of completing a piece f or an audience teaches your child how to handle the stress of expectation ( and remain creative under pressure). Music performance teaches your child to conquer f ear and take risks.

Teamwork and craftsmanship starting with an engaging instructor, your child learns to collaborate. If he joins the school’s orchestra or even a neighborhood garage band, your child will start to l earn how to pool resources with others and cooperate toward a common goal. Developing this soft skill for teamwork is essential to just about every professional pursuit. Another essential soft skill your child develops when l earning to play an instrument is craftsmanship. Studying notes, assembling them into a whole, and recognizing the difference between good and mediocre output instills in your child a sense of discipline, an inclination to excel and the capability to extend creativity. By learning to play music, your child l earns the value of perseverance to achieve excellence and attains the concrete rewards of concentrated effort.

Fine motor skills because l earning to play music is an action to do and not an event to watch, your child should develop enhanced fine motor skills. On a purely physical level, your child can l earn to fine tune the use of his hands and other body parts through music lessons. Employing the physical and mental dexterity required to master an instrument, your child will develop essential coordination f or adulthood.

Research an in-depth Harvard University study i n 1993 found evidence that spatial-temporal reasoning improves when children l earn to make music. Although controversial still, this Mozart effect has motivated plenty of parents to expose their very young children to music.

A small 2006 Canadian study from Mcmaster University reported that music lessons can help children as young as four demonstrate advanced brain development and improve their memory. The study’s lead, Laurel Trainor, said, " Our study and other studies show that music has benefits … f or cognitive processing and cognitive development."

By exposing your child to music lessons, you can help him work toward mastering higher academic achievement, self-confidence, teamwork and discipline. Along the way, you might even get serenaded with “Fur Elise” and “Free Bird.”

Hand Built Pottery with Kim Gavin!!

2011-09-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

Wednesdays 4:30-5:30

Ages 8-13

Cost: $175

10 weeks starting September 28th - November 30th

Instructor: Kim Gavin

This class is designed for students just beginning in clay or those with experience. The techniques taught will use only your hands and some simple tools. Students will create three projects over a ten-week psyched course: a tile/trivet, a teapot (based on an Asian Style) and a hollow animal-shaped whistle. All pieces will be fired and glazed at the Ceramic Shop.

Art history will be used as a foundation and inspiration for all projects.

Families (adults with younger children are also encouraged to attend) Welcome!

This is taught by Kimberly Gavin, certified teacher in the Philadelphia School District and nominee for the 2011 Philadelphia Teacher of the Year Award. Ms. Gavin has received her MA in Art Education with an Emphasis in Special Populations at Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia, and has a BFA from Parsons School of Design in NY. Ms Gavin works with students of all ages and abilities and believes that everyone can create something wonderful and unique.

4th LAAF Review!

2011-09-22T10:01:00.000-07:00

"Artistic emotions flow together in an ocean of imagination"

This is the message painted on the mural which represents this wonderful creation.

What a monumental day for the Portside Arts Center and the community. The 4th Annual Lehigh Avenue Arts Festival was a great success with over 40 artisan vendors, 10 children activities, 11 live local bands and of course, the moon bounce, it was the largest LAAF the neighborhood ever experienced! The Portside had lots of volunteers of all ages helping with the festival and everyone had a fantastic time. Kim Creighton, Director and Jenna Wilchinsky, Assistant Director said they could not have pulled off the festival without their help and constant volunteerism! Jane Golden was there from the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program with an inspiring speech for the mural dedication ceremony and encouraging words for the Portside. Now on the bottom left hand corner of the beautiful tropical fish educational mural states the names of all the artists and the Portside Community who helped with the creation of this magnificent public work of art. Also Cesar Viveros mural artist and Jonny Buss, mosaic artist talked about their inspiration and creation of the mural during the dedication. With tears in her eyes Creighton expressed her gratitude towards the community and the Mural Arts program, Artists and Jane Golden for bringing this mural project to the Portside. This mural is the first of its kind to exist in the Port Richmond area comprised of paint, glass mosaic and metal work making it a mixed media masterpiece. Following the dedication several of the Portside students from the music program showed off their talents on the stage for all to enjoy. The music teachers followed with a violin solo by Elizabeth Zook and Chris Johnson and Tyrel McCoy showed off their drumming talents with some shredding. Jamie McMahon owner of the Green Rock Tavern organized the live music bringing together local bands who also donated their time for this annual fundraiser for the Portside Scholarship Fund for families of limited resources. Creighton said they received a great outpouring of generosity from local community businesses and community members with donations for our Chinese lottery and also with monetary sponsorships. What a great day said Creighton to see the community come out in such a force to support their local arts center. Thank you!

Face Painting Party!

2011-09-13T06:20:00.000-07:00

Every year before the Lehigh Avenue Arts Festival we have guest teacher Corina hold a special face painting class! Check out this years talent!

KiDD-OFFKA Portside's Summer Camp Art Show!!

2011-09-13T06:01:00.000-07:00

Portside Arts Center's campers had there final art showing this past First Friday September 2nd at VWVOFFKA gallery on Frankford Ave. They received a huge response from there community and the show had a great turn out. During the show every one was invited to participate in the interactive dart & paint balloon art project. It made one big awesome mess of a work of art and every one had a blast trying to pop the balloons! All 40 of the campers work was on display so check out the pictures from the showing below!

Oh My Goodness! LOOK AT OUR MURAL!

2011-09-13T05:52:00.000-07:00

Jonny Buss and Mike Smash have been working very hard to install all of the mosaic pieces they've created to be placed in the mural! Check out them installing the biggest and brightest piece the octopus!

A Mural Update

2011-08-18T08:51:00.000-07:00

So here is a time line of our mural progress!

Cesar Viveros started with painting the wall white...

Then he started to paste the 5 foot x 5 foot canvas panels onto the brick wall one by one...

...These are the panels the community helped paint too!!

Then Cesar connected the painted panels with more wonderful paint!!

4TH LAAF VENDOR REGISTRATION FORM 2011

2011-08-02T09:45:00.000-07:00

CLICK IMAGE TO PRINT

Portsides Summer Camp Puppet Show!

2011-07-28T07:01:00.000-07:00

Through out our six week summer camp every tuesday the children had a puppet making workshop with specail guest teacher Mrs. T. The kids learned the basics of puppet making and got to create their own unique puppets with their own personalities! On the last day of the workshop the children put on inovative skits.

Karaoke Time!!

2011-07-28T06:57:00.000-07:00

Buttons, Glue, and Bins Oh My!

2011-07-28T06:52:00.001-07:00

Fun in the sun!

2011-07-28T06:46:00.000-07:00

Every day durring summer camp we take our campers to Cione Play Ground! They always have a blast!

Summer Camp Fun!!

2011-07-11T12:39:00.001-07:00

Summer Camp Benjamin Franklin Bridge Project!

2011-07-11T12:34:00.001-07:00

Our campers are getting ready to enter the Benjamin Bridge arts contest that ends on the 18th of July! Cross your fingers and hope that one of our talented campers wins a prize!

Summer Camps Trip To The SeaPort Museum!!!

2011-07-11T12:23:00.000-07:00

Our campers had a blast at the SeaPort Museum this past thursday! We got to take a tour of a Navy boat from the Mid 1800's and a World War II submarine!! Then our campers got to go through the Sea Ports Museum and learn about other types of ships and boats.

Jane Golden From Mural Arts Visited The Portside!

2011-06-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

Jane Golden Founder & Executive Director and Jennifer McCreary Special Events & Social Media Manager from the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program visited the Portside today and was greated with thank you cards and a mural poster made by all our campers!! Jane Golden and the Portside are starting to plan for the Portsides full building mural decication event wich will be helpd durring our 4th annual Lehigh Avenue Arts Festival!

Summer Camp Fun!!!

2011-06-29T15:19:00.001-07:00

Please Help Us Give Our Campers a Great Summer =)

2011-06-09T10:57:00.000-07:00

We are looking for donations of arts supplies, music instruments, paper towels, toilet paper, freezer pops, bottled water and anything else you would want to donate, just email us!! We have 20 children in our camp who are looking forward to having a great summer and with your help you can give these campers the best summer ever!! Thank you for your time and we always appreciated any help we can get =)

Please E-mail us at portsideartscenter@verizon.net and visit our website www.portsideartscenter.org to view upcoming classes and to sign up for our E-mail list.

Look at our MURAL!!!

2011-04-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

Check out our MURAL's Progress!

2011-04-20T15:36:00.001-07:00

We are going to keep you up dated on our Mural's progress while its being made! Look at what has been done so far! Cesar Viveros has started to prime the walls!!! YAY!! also check out how you can help support our mural go to http://www.kickstarter.com/ and search for Portside Arts Center!

Sculpture Crafts!

2011-04-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

Check out the awesome recycled art project the kids did using only a glass bottle, glue and construction paper! WOW!!! Class runs every Friday 4:30-6:00pm drop ins welcome !

Check Out The Advanced Acting Classes Final Show!

2011-04-08T14:49:00.000-07:00

The Acting Class's Final Show!

2011-04-08T14:46:00.000-07:00

Check out the final show!!

Mosaics Hands On!!!

2011-04-08T14:38:00.001-07:00

Check out the progress of these Mosaics students! They are doing fantastic work and creating beautiful work. Can't wait to see the finished product! Keep a look out for the finished work on our blog!

The Mural "Take Away Project" is %6 Funded!!!!

2011-03-31T13:25:00.000-07:00

WOW!!! In just two weeks our project has backed by 12 people

and we are up to $670 but we only have 81 days to go

and we need your help to reach our goal!!

Click here to be a part of the Mural

"Take Away Project"

help support Arts in Philadelphia and

the Portside Arts Center!

Lets Make Noise!!

2011-03-29T13:19:00.000-07:00

Lets Make Noise had their third class this week and they did a wonderful job turning noise into music!! This class has the children experiment with different instruments to see which ones they loved the best.

Painting & Drawing at the Portside!

2011-03-29T13:11:00.000-07:00

This week the children made cityscapes and city sky lines out of old wall paper and different colored paper. They did a wonderful job with this project!!

Music Classes With Chris Johnson!!

2011-03-29T13:04:00.000-07:00

People of all ages take our music classes so if you ever had a nack for music and wanted to explore it just give us a call!!

Oh My Look At Our Students Paintings!

2011-03-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

Make A Flying Machine At The Portside

2011-03-24T10:13:00.000-07:00

Ornithopter
Coming in April
Create small flying machines!
This class is great for teens and adults who have been
looking to start a interesting hobby. During this course
students will actually design and construct small flying
contraptions that will fly powered by a tiny engine.
Instructed by local craftsman Buster Dimalanta

Advanced registration required
Call us for more info!! 251-427-1514

Help Fund Our "Take Away" Project on Kickstarter.com

2011-03-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

We have launched our "Take Away" project on Kickstarters.com a project funding website and we need your help in funding the project. We want to make educational fish playing cards in honor of our full building educational fish mural that will be completed this spring/summer. If we reach our goal of $10,000 by June 20th 2011 our project will be funded, which will help sustain the Portside Art Center and our scholarship fund! This is also the first time the community will be seeing what the mural will look like once it is complete. So check out our project on WWW.KICKSTARTER.COM and search for the Portside Arts Center's "Take Away" Project or click here

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1297086283/portside-art-centers-take-away-project

SPREAD THE WORD!!!!

Thank you for your support!!!

Drawing and Painting Class at the Portside!!

2011-03-16T10:39:00.000-07:00

Drawing and Painting class learns to paint like a pro!!

Stained Glass Class at the Portside!!

2011-03-16T10:30:00.000-07:00

The Stained Glass Class creating beautiful artwork!!

Mosaic Class at the Portside!!

2011-03-16T10:13:00.000-07:00

Mosaic Class at the Portside working hard on their beautiful pieces.

Portside Arts Center Featured Artist of the Month!

2011-03-04T10:42:00.000-08:00

Stephen Haigh

Stephen Haigh is a local Visual Artist and owner of the Philadelphia Fight Factory Mixed Martial Arts Studio in Fishtown. Stephen will be instructing two great new classes at the Portside in March.

Super Hero Creation starts March 17^th from 4:30-6:00pm, children will focus on character building and illustration. Creative Lettering starts March 17^th from 6:00-7:30pm teens will design there own letter fonts and learn the difference between vandalism and mural arts.

Stephen Haigh Visual Artist and Martial Arts Studio

www.stephenhaigh.net

www.philafightfactory.com

Get Involved!

2011-02-28T09:45:00.000-08:00

Come join us Tuesday March 1st for our 7th free mural making event! The fun starts at 5:00pm and ends at 7:00pm. Bring your family and friends to help paint actual panels of the Portside's mural!

Acting at the Portside!

2011-02-24T08:28:00.000-08:00

Check out the 4th week of acting class at the Portside! These kids are getting ready for there big performance at the Portside!

Mural Making with Cesar Viveros!!

2011-02-24T07:52:00.001-08:00

This past Tuesday February 22nd the community came to the Portside's 7th mural making event lead by Muralist Cesar Viveros. They worked hard painting more panels of the actual mural that will be on the walls of the Portside Arts Center. The community already painted 20 5ft x 5ft panels for the mural and we will be holding more events until the mural is complete! Look out for upcoming events and get involved!

Guitar Lessons with Chris Johnson!

2011-02-23T15:16:00.000-08:00

Check out Chris Johnson's guitar workshop and private lessons! Join in on the fun and learn how to play guitar and rock out to your favorite tunes! Sign up now and become a rock star!

Check Out Our Music Program!

2011-02-21T14:53:00.001-08:00

Sign up now for music classes at the Portside Art Center. Group classes starting this week; Bass Guitar workshop,Lets Make noise,Fun With Drums, and Guitar Workshop. Private lessons specializing in bass, guitar, piano, drums, voice, and song writing Monday-Friday from 12:00pm-9:00pm.

Call 215-427-1514

Email: info@portsideartscenter.com

Website: www.PortsideArtsCenter.org

Blog: http://www.portsideartscenter.blogspot.com

Be our Friend on Facebook!

Children's Painting & Drawing Class Feburary 17th

2011-02-18T13:18:00.000-08:00

This past Thursday the kids practiced their drawing skills and had time to make a paper mache sculpture! Check out the pictures!

Check Out Our Stained Glass Class With DaniM

2011-02-18T13:08:00.000-08:00

Check out pictures from the Stained Glass Beginners Class from Thursday February 17th!
The class is being taught by Danielle McDonnell, Co owner of DaniM Stained Glass (formerly Fishtown Stained Glass).

February 16th Advanced Painting & Drawing

2011-02-18T12:55:00.001-08:00

This week in our advanced painting and drawing class our focus was the self portrait! We talked about famous artists and how they perceived them selves and then the students expressed how they feel through there own self portraits.

The Ancient Art of Tapestry Making

2011-02-18T12:28:00.000-08:00

Classes start Friday, February 25th 7pm-9pm

Portside Arts Center (2531 E. Lehigh Avenue)

"Batik" is the ancient art of tapestry making. During this 4 week course you will have the opportunity to learn about the different methods of tapestry making and leave this course with many different tapestries. You will use bee's wax, fabrics, and dyes to create your own tapestry design. All materials included in this course but you are welcomed to bring your own fabrics!
Instructor: Gal Senderowitsch $70 for the entire course.
For more information please
email portsideartscenter@verizon.net
call 215-427-1514
more great classes listed at www.portsideartscenter.com

This Week's Children's Painting and Drawing Class

2011-02-11T12:00:00.001-08:00

The children got creative with clay this week in the Painting and Drawing class. They took a 2 dimentional drawing and turned it into a 3 dimentional sculpture! The kids had a blast check out there creations!

Portside's Music Teacher Chris Jonson's CD Release Party!

2011-02-11T09:05:00.001-08:00

Music teacher Chris Johnson is lead singer and guitar player in his band Lost in Company. They are having their CD release party this Saturday the 12th at Cedar Street Studios located on 3211 Cedar Street, Philadelphia PA 19134. The show starts at 8:00pm and its all ages! Come and support Chris Jonson and his band!

Get Involved!

2011-02-04T07:58:00.000-08:00

All welcomed to

Join us for our

"Friends of Portside"

Meetings every Wednesday from

6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

at the Portside Arts Center

2531 E. Lehigh Ave

Philadelphia PA 19125

What you get from being a friend…

Being an active Friend of the Portside Art Center means you will be able to exercise and contribute your special skills to this Non profit organization to help them grow and prosper. This gives you the chance to give back to your community and it feels good to know your ideas will be come realities that make a difference. You will make great connections with others and form new relationships with the people in your community. Being a Friend of the Portside takes a committed person who believes strongly in our mission and wants the best for their community. This is a very positive enriching experience one that you can only get by donating your time and you can enjoy taking classes at the Portside experiencing the arts at a discounted price!

What you can contribute as a Friend...

The Portside needs committed people who want to help make connections within and outside of our community to support our mission.

· Getting community involvement and awareness

· Seeking sponsorship

· Fundraising events

· PTA meetings, local school involvement

· Grant writing, grant research

· Graphic Design

Have Your Birthday Party at the Portside!

2011-02-03T09:41:00.001-08:00

The Portside throws awesome birthday party's great for all ages! The parties include a craft of your choice and the craft can revolve around your theme! Call us to schedule your birthday bash! Check out the pictures below of our last birthday party celebration!

Hands on Mosaic Class at the Portside

2011-01-28T13:55:00.000-08:00

Having fun and learning all at the same time at the Portside's "Hands on Mosaic" class.

Check out these beautiful works of Mosaic Art created by the students. They are very proud of their creations and can not wait to take them home and hang them up or make a table with it. Next class starts February 16th, sign up now!

Feburary's Class Schedule! Click and Print!

2011-01-28T13:49:00.000-08:00

Click the Schedule and Print!

Check out the Painting and Drawing Class!

2011-01-24T10:55:00.001-08:00

On Wednesday's from 6:30-8:30 the painting and drawing class works hard on there artistic creations!

3rd Birthday Party Review!!!

2011-01-24T10:50:00.001-08:00

On Saturday January 22^nd the Portside Arts Center held their 3^rd annual birthday celebration to thank the community for their on going support and dedication. Everyone had a blast decorating their own fish cookies and cupcakes, or eating pizza while working on arts and crafts. The children and adults had the chance to participate in the painting of the actual panels of the educational fish mural that is to be constructed on the exterior of the portside in coming months. Musical entertainment was provided by the Portside’s own music department instructor, Chris Johnson. Board members of the Portside gave away door prizes during the party as a personal thank you to the community for their support. A Full Plate Restaurant, Home Slice Pizza Restaurant, Artist and Craftsman Supply, and Staples were all contributors. The Portside Arts Center also made a donation of a gift certificate towards a class at the center.The Armamingo Thrift Way donated our beautiful birthday cake with an edible picture depicting the Portside’s mural. The birthday party was also an invitation for new faces to be introduced to the Portside. As is always the case at the Portside Arts Center spirits were high as the arts and fellowship teamed up to provide a fun learning environment where minds, young and old, can thrive. The Portside would ask that supporters please keep a look out on Kickstarter.com, sponsored by Amazon, for the Portside Arts Center’s “Take Away” project to raise money for the Portside Arts Center Scholarship Fund.

Portside Arts Center's 3rd Birthday Party!

2011-01-14T11:07:00.000-08:00

JANUARY'S PRINTABLE CALENDAR!!!!

2010-12-30T10:40:00.000-08:00

New & Upcoming Crochet Class at the Portside!!

2010-12-30T09:27:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wanted to learn how to crochet? Come join us on Wednesday, January 12th from 12-2 pm and learn how to crochet with our teacher Jean Leszczynski who has been crocheting for over 30 years! During this class you will learn the basics of crocheting; single stitch, double stitch and patterning. Take a look at some examples of Miss Jean's crocheting!!!

CHECK OUT THE 4TH MURAL MAKING EVENT !!!!

2010-12-07T08:48:00.000-08:00

Last night on December 6th at 5:30 the community came and helped paint cement fish that will be placed on the Portside Art Center's mural. Every one had so much fun hanging out and getting creative! We will be having many more Mural Creation Events through out the winter so if you missed out this time don't worry come to the next event!

Children's Drawing & Painting Studio

2010-12-03T08:36:00.000-08:00

Check out the art work from the Children's Drawing and Painting Class from

Thursday December 2, 2010. Children worked really hard and continue to have a blast in this class!!!!

Mural Creation Event

2010-12-01T09:14:00.000-08:00

The Portside Arts Centers ongoing community mural painting event was hosted by Philadelphia Mural Arts Programs, Muralists Cesar Viveros. Cesar brought with him actual panels to be painted by the community, with the paint by numbers method. Children and their parents came to take part in this community event. Which was the third in the series. The community has been very excited to participate in this community event.

Drum Recital

2010-12-01T08:59:00.000-08:00

Patrick McMullin

Erin Quick

Diamond Toraine

Christopher Caruso

Portsides Fun with Drums class had their recital this week!! Each student showcased their skills for family and friends while drumming along to their selected song. They were very proud of their accomplishments.

Check out the arts and crafts class!

2010-11-22T10:44:00.000-08:00

Check out the photos from this weeks Arts and Crafts class at the Portside! The kids had a blast making there own buttons. First they designed there button and then used a old fashion button press to make the buttons! Arts and Crafts is every week on Fridays from 4:30-6:00 pm every week there is a new project and you can join in any Friday and pay as you go!

DECEMBER PRINTABLE CALENDAR

2010-11-22T10:01:00.000-08:00

TUESDAY NOV. 16TH CESAR VIVEROS MURAL CREATION EVENT!

2010-11-17T09:27:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday November 16th children teens and adults from the community came to the Portside to help Cesar Viveros paint actual panels that will placed on the wall to be an actual part of the Portside's mural! If you want to help out come join us next Tuesday November 23rd at 5:30-7:00pm.

Free Mural Event Tomorrow at the Portside Arts Center

2010-11-15T15:11:00.000-08:00

PORTSIDE MURAL CREATION EVENT

Tuesday November 16th, from 5:30 - 7:00 pm

We have the Philadelphia Mural Arts Programs, Extremely Talented Muralist Cesar Viveros come to the Portside to demonstrate techniques of mural painting. Cesar will have with him actual panels to be painted by the community and will be placed on the walls of the Portside's mural. We are happy to include our community in on this wonderful mural of tropical fish provided to us by the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program.

The Portside is located on the corner of E Lehigh Ave and Belgrade St.

Learn a little about Cesar Viveros:

http://pdn.philly.com/photo/audio_slides/philadelphiamuralist/index.html

Please register for this event... Space is limited!

215-427-1514 or info@portsideartscenter.org

NEW CLASS FLYER! Click and Print!

2010-11-12T09:55:00.000-08:00

CHECK OUT YOGA!

2010-11-11T08:53:00.001-08:00

Everyone is getting a little relaxation before all the holiday commotion! If you feel stressed out or wound up join our yoga class now and unwind and stretch out for physical and mental clarity!

THE COMMUNITY HELPED OUT WITH THE PORTSIDE'S MOSAIC MURAL

2010-11-11T08:03:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday November 9th the community came to help mosaic artists Jonny Buss and Mike Smash from the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, with the Portside's Mural. The mural artists demonstrated the making and pouring of the actual cement fish molds that will be placed on the walls of the Portside. The community also helped paint, with tinted primer, several already poured cement fish.

PORTSIDE MURAL CREATION EVENT!

2010-11-09T09:10:00.000-08:00

Second Class:

Tuesday, November 16th

5:30 - 7:00 pm

We have Philadelphia Mural Art Program; Mural Artist Cesar Viveros come to the Portside to demonstrate techniques of mural painting. Cesar will have with him actual panels to be painted by the community and will be placed on the walls of the Portside's mural. We are happy to include our community in on this wonderful mural of tropical fish provided to us by the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. The Portside is located on the corner of E. Lehigh Ave and Belgrade St. Please register for this event the space is limited.

Call now to reserve.

215-427-1514 or info@portsideartscenter.com

Fun Fun Fundamentals of Painting & Drawing! check out the art work!

2010-10-29T10:19:00.001-07:00

Hey every one take a look at what's been going down in the Fundamentals of Painting & Drawing class this semester! The kids are getting creative and experimenting with realism, abstract, and impressionism painting and drawing techniques! Check out their awesome art work!

Portside's Pumpkin Painting Turn Out!

2010-10-27T08:21:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday October 26th the Portside Arts Center held a there 3rd Annual free pumpkin painting workshop for the community in preparation for halloween. More then 30 children and parents had a blast decorating there pumpkins with paint, googly eyes, and halloween stickers! Check out our pictures of pumpkin painting fun! Dressing up for Halloween? Come to the Portside's Halloween costume contest on Sunday October 31st 5:00pm-7:00pm!

Check out more pictures of our pumpkin painting event on Chesney Davis & Ashley Hubers blog:

http://murltemple.blogspot.com/2010/10/port-richmond-halloween-at-portside.html

PUMPKIN PAINTING OCTOBER 26TH

2010-10-22T10:21:00.001-07:00

JOIN US OCTOBER 23RD AT THE PORTSIDE ARTS CENTER FOR OUR ANNUAL PUMPKIN PAINTING CRAFT AND WE WILL ALSO BE COATING PINE CONES WITH PEANUT BUTTER AND BIRD SEEDS TO TAKE TO PENN TREATY PARK.

PRINTABLE FLYERS OF UP COMING CLASSES!! click and print!

2010-10-22T09:04:00.001-07:00

3rd Annual Lehigh Avenue Arts Festival Review!

2010-10-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

The Portside Arts Center and The Green Rock Tavern had a great turn out with their 3rd Annual Lehigh Avenue Festival this weekend. Lots of people from the community came out and had a blast painting pumpkins and creating sand art. Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, Muralist Cesar Virveros had the community help him paint two actual panels that will be a part of the Portside Art Centers mural. All the kids had a great time bouncing away in the moon bounce and getting there face painted. Many people rocked out to the music all day at the Green Rock Tavern and The Portsiders drew a huge crowd when they preformed later that evening. The Portside Arts Center thanks all of the community and sponsors for their support in helping raise money for the children’s scholarship fund. We hope to keep the Lehigh avenue Arts festival going for years to come and hope the community is too! Special thanks to; Philadelphia Beer Co., Staples, Fresh Works, Cassizzi Ristorante, Apple Bee’s, Key Pizza, Port Richmond Pharmacy, Coralluzzo Construction Corp, OCD Contracting, 73 General Contracting, and Arts and Crafts Man.

3rd Annual Lehigh Avenue Arts Festival Review for this weeks paper with pictures

Getting Ready For The Lehigh Avenue Arts Festival!

2010-09-24T07:58:00.000-07:00

Hey All! This is a sneek peek at whats to come this Saturday September 25th for the Lehigh Avenue Arts Festival! We had a Face Painting work shop with artists Carina McKee . The Portsiders were practicing hard getting ready for there big performance ! Also get a quick look at the new display of our children's art work!

FREE Art Classes For The Entire Family!

2010-09-21T10:44:00.000-07:00

FREE

ART CLASSES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
Portside Arts Center
joins to assist
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
In bringing the Philadelphia Community...

Sunday Family Workshops
Sundays 2:00 – 3:30 pm
10 weeks starting October 3 -- December 19^th 2010

If we have enough people to participate in the free
workshops, you will be provided free transportation
to and from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
Information will be given a the 3^rd Annual Lehigh Avenue Arts Festival.
For more information and the workshop schedule;
see their website www.pafa.org/faa
or call 215-972-2022
Let them know you are with the Portside
Pass this on and let's fill the bus!!!

To Register:
-Call 215-427-1514
-Email info@portsideartscenter.com
Website : www.PortsideArtsCenter.org
Portside Arts Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization
Please donate to us through the Southeastern United Way
Donor Choice Program #48860 Make our mission yours!

FACE PAINT LIKE A PRO!

2010-09-21T08:34:00.000-07:00

Presents

Face Paint Like a Pro

The talented Carina McKee and Kim Gavin

will teach you how to Face Paint like a professional!!

Thursday September 23^rd

Cost: $10

Anyone taking this class who volunteers to help at one of our festivals

will be refunded the cost of the class

Contact Information:

Phone 215-427-1514 • Fax 215-427-1524

2531 E Lehigh Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125

Email: portsideartscenter@verizon.net

Website: www.portsideartscenter.org

JOIN US SEPTEMBER 25TH AND 26TH FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL LEHIGH AVENUE ARTS FESTIVAL!

2010-09-20T10:53:00.000-07:00

Come join us on September 25^th & 26^th for the 3^rd Annual Lehigh Avenue Arts Festival! There will be tons of fun with kids crafts, face paint, moon bounce, craft and food vendors, and live music!

Contact & Vendor Info portsideartscenter@verizon.net

September 25^th Band Line Up
Invisible Friends
The Anchor Boys
The Swamp Candles
Uzuhi
The Jukebox Romantics
Kitten Disaster
The Portsiders

September 26^th Band Line Up
St. James & the Apostles
Jukebox Zeros
Soloram
New Speedway
Slo and Shakey
Wes Mattheu & the New Way Down
Kenn Kweeter

PORTSIDE SUMMER CAMP ART SHOW AT VWVOFFKA!

2010-09-14T07:41:00.000-07:00

This past first Friday on September 3^rd, the VWVOFFKA Gallery, located in Fishtown held the Portside Art Center’s annual Summer Camp Art Show. The Portside Art Camp runs every summer for six weeks between the months of June to August. The Portsiders had a blast at the opening when they saw all their hard work on display in the gallery. Many campers and art goers joined in on the interactive fish mosaic project and got a feel for one of the many projects the campers did over the summer. All the Portside’s art projects were made out of recycled and donated materials. From buttons to bottles one would have never guessed these found materials would make for such beautiful pieces of art. The show was currated by Jenna Wilchisnky one of the members from the VWVOFFKA collective. She captured the spirit of the portside and transformed the art gallery into a fun interactive kids arts show. The portside children left the show smiling with a sense of accomplishment after seeing all there projects hung on white walls for the Fishtown/ Port Richmond communities.

Drawing & Painting at the Greensgrow Farms

2010-08-27T12:29:00.000-07:00

This fantastic four week workshop offers a fun opportunity to draw and paint

outdoors at the Greensgrow Farms. In this class you will receive instructional

tips from our talented artist Deirdre Burns in creating your own style and techniques.

Wander around the Greensgrow greenhouses and select a flower or plant you would

like to recreate and cherish forever.

This is a water color class, all materials included

Location: Greensgrow Farms

2501 E. Cumberland Street

Philadelphia PA 19125

Class dates: Saturday September 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th

Time: 1:00 to 3:00

Cost: $60.00

4 weeks

For more information please call Portside Arts Center @215-427-1514

Email: info@portsideartscenter.com

Website: http://www.portsideartscenter.org/

2010-08-06T14:27:00.000-07:00

Last night the Portside was ROCKIN!

We were very fortunate enough for the second time to have the "Gates Of Eden" come in from Tampa Florida to share their talents with some of our students. Rob Morris, Matt Poyner and Dylan Witkowski of "Gates Of Eden" and Matt Roth of "Calliope Musicals" came in for a visit with family and good friend, our Music Director Angelo Fusco. Well if you were driving past the Portside last night you would have heard them JAM it was great! The music students had a smile from ear to ear during their jam session. During their stay they will be playing at local venues. We are thankful to have such talented musicians showing our students some tricks of the trade and helpful pointers to further their musical abilities and enjoyment of their crafts.

We have recently started a Rob Morris Scholarship Fund which will give Children and Teens of limited resources the opportunity to learn and play music. To donate to this fund please contact the Portside.

Please see below locations they will be playing this weekend. See their website: http://www.gatesofedenmusic.com/

Shows

The "Be Gentle, It's My FIrst Time" Tour

Friday August 6th @ The Fire (Girard Ave) Phila Pa @ 6:30
ALL AGE

Saturday Afternoon August 7th @ The Hinge Coffee Shop @ 1:30

(2652 E. Somerset St.) Phila Pa 19134 Delicious Discounted Lunch & Acoustic
ALL AGES

Saturday August 7th @ The Grape Room (Originally The Grape Street Pub)
Manayunk Pa @ 8:30, 21+ only

Saturday August 14th @ Trailer Space (Record Store on the East Side of Austin)

Austin Texas @ 6:30 P.M. w/Calliope Musicals

Sunday August 15th @ Lucky Lounge (Downtown Austin)
Austin Texas @ 7:30 w/ Calliope Musicals

Happy Birthday Miss. Deeva!!

2010-07-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Vincent sings Happy Birthday to Miss. Deeva during Karaoke time and he was a hit!!

You are my Sunshine!!

2010-07-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

The children show off the suns they made on Monday!!

Pool Time!!

2010-07-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

The kids enjoyed having the cione pool all to themselves on Friday!!

Sprinkler Time!!

2010-07-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

The Children enjoyed themselves as they cooled off under the cold sprinkler!!