Cultural Arts Center PDDC

Happy Halloween from the Cultural Arts Center!

2011-10-31T13:00:00.000-07:00

Today we had a costume dance party led by our fabulous dance teacher Joanna Quigley. Check out our amazing home-made costumes!

Freddy as Kid of Kid'n'Play

Tyree, Tom, David, Pietro and Joanna

Ashley as a witch

Joanna and Keith cut a rug

Tom as Batman

Joanna, Madeline, Tyree, and Jason as Magneto

Cultural Collaborations at La Salle University Art Museum

2011-09-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

All year the artists of the Cultural Arts program have been working with art teacher Emilia Brintnall and La Salle University Art Museum's educator Miranda Clark-Binder on creating artwork through our Cultural Collaborations partnership. Miranda has been presenting works in the museum collection based on different themes, and the artists have been creating work in response to these themes with Emilia's help. We've explored portraiture, abstract expressionism, cityscapes and narratives in art.

Today, an exhibition of the artwork we created opened at the Community Art Gallery of La Salle University Art Museum. Below are some pictures from the reception.

Ashley and Rasheed with her rendition of a painting in La Salle's collection, part of the "Narratives in Art" series.

Mike S. talks about the painting he created after looking at Indian miniatures as part of the "Narratives in Art" series.

Arc of Philadelphia and PDDC Executive Director Bruce Hulick, PDDC COO Laura Princiotta and La Salle Art Museum Director Klare Scarborough with Richard's beautiful interpretation of Indian miniature paintings

George with his stuffie self-portrait, part of the "Portraits" series

Hubert in front of his collaborative painting with Pietro, part of the "Abstraction" series

Cultural Arts Associate Director Linda Price and Ashley

Laura with a reception guest

Mary and Hector

Richard talks about his stuffie portrait with reception guest Justin.

James with the painting he created after learning about the abstract work of Philadelphia artist Moe Brooker.

You can learn more about the La Salle University Art Museum by visiting their website.

Points of Transformation Award

2011-09-16T15:00:00.000-07:00

Mike Gerkovich, a direct support professional and teacher for the Cultural Arts program, was recognized today for his work at the Points of Transformation Brunch. He received an award for his work with the artists of the Cultural Arts Center. Mike puts the mission of the Cultural Arts Center into action every day by working with program participants as his artistic peers and, more importantly, as his friends. Congrats, Mike!

From left to right: Kathy Sykes of IdS; Shalaine Wallace of PDDC, who also won an award; Mike G.; Laura Princiotta, Chief Operating Officer of PDDC; and Linda Price, Associate Director of the Cultural Arts Center.

Photo credit Bonnie Squires

Pictures from Shaky Shaky Planet

2011-09-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

Shaky Shaky Planet debuted at the Painted Bride Art Center on Wednesday, September 7. Emily Schumacher co-wrote and co-directed this original performance with the Shaky Shaky Players of the Cultural Arts Center.

Over a hundred people were introduced to the denizens of the planet of Jupiter-Venus, where Goblins, Robots and Blob People worked together to overthrow their evil employers Roberta and Villina with help from the Ghost-Slayers and, of course, an epic dance-off!

Ashley backstage getting ready to go on

Our fabulous director Emily

Monica the narrator

Villina and Roberta, the evil mermaid proprietors of the Blue Lobster

Richard, Jason, Sharay and Tyree as Blob People

David, Mike S., Sarah and Murph as Goblins

Charles, George, Marcos and Mike G. as Robots

The Ghost Slayers!

Miss Charlene sings her solo

DANCE OFF!!!

Joanna Quigley as the Referee

The cast takes a bow

The Cultural Arts Center at PDDC Presents "Shaky Shaky Planet"

2011-08-10T06:25:00.000-07:00

The Shaky Shaky Players of the Cultural Arts Center at PDDC are proud to present an original theater project created in collaboration with artists Emily Schumacher, Michael Gerkovich and Emilia Brintnall. 1950s sci-fi meets telenovela meets seafood restaurant in Shaky Shaky Planet, where blob-men, robots and goblins break into song for no reason and the bad guys sometimes poison your Alaskan crab legs with Potion #52.

Shaky Shaky Planet debuts at the Painted Bride Art Center on Wednesday, September 7 at 7 PM as part of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. The Painted Bride Art Center is located at 230 Vine Street in Philadelphia.

Tickets are available by contacting Linda Price at lprice@arcpddc.org or through the Fringe Festival Box Office.

Magic Gardens Part Two!

2011-06-23T10:44:00.000-07:00

Today another group of artists visited Philadelphia's Magic Gardens to be inspired by Isaiah Zagar's mosaic murals.

Myesha, David and Howard explore the gardens

Myesha

James

Walter, Mary and James

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

2011-06-21T06:32:00.000-07:00

Today we visited Philadelphia's Magic Gardens to learn about the mosaic murals of Isaish Zagar. We also made our own doily tiles. All photo rights reserved by Philadelphia's Magic Gardens.

Counterclockwise from left: Romy, Leroy, Richard, Gabe, Matali, Marianna, Jamie, Monica, Mike S., Mary, Ike, and Tyree

Romy and Ike

Richard and Ike with Kay

Mike S.

Dwayne Boone Featured in "The Peripheterists"

2011-05-20T08:16:00.000-07:00

Cultural Arts artist Dwayne Boone will be featured in The Peripheterists, an exhibition curated by Jocko Weyland at apexart in New York, NY. The exhibition opens June 1 and will be on view through July 30. Visit apexart's website for more information.

Video about "The Artist Is All of Us"

2011-05-18T09:02:00.000-07:00

The Philadelphia Foundation, who hosted The Artists Is All of Us in their Community Art Gallery, has created a video about the bodies of work created by the artists of the Cultural Arts Center featured in the exhibition. The video also includes photographs from the opening reception on May 6.

You can view the video here.

Thanks to Betsy Anderson and Danielle Cerceo at the Philadelphia Foundation!

More Photos from "The Artist Is All of Us" Opening Reception

2011-05-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

Freddy's drawing of ghost Alice

Sarah talks about Sandy's books

Drawings by Richard and Sandy

Tapestries by the artists of the Cultural Arts Center

Portraits by Dwayne and Ashley

An abstract painting by Hector

Art Exhibition at the Philadelphia Foundation

2011-05-10T10:07:00.001-07:00

Works by the artists of the Cultural Arts Center are featured in The Artist Is Everyone, an exhibition at the Community Art Gallery of The Philadelphia Foundation. The exhibition will be on view through August 31, 2011 and highlights the connections between art history and the bodies of work Cultural Arts students have created. The exhibition opened on May 6 with a beautiful First Friday reception hosted by the Foundation.

Dwayne with his painting of the Philadelphia skyline, which was featured on the exhibition's postcard

Arc of Philadelphia Board President Ken Oaks with PDDC Board President Norma Carter

Arc of Philadelphia and PDDC Executive Director Bruce Hulick, Dwayne and Cultural Arts Center Associate Director Linda Price

PDDC Chief Operating Officer Laura Princiotta with IDS Director Kathy Sykes and Klare Scarborough and Miranda Clark-Binder of La Salle University Art Museum, who partners with the Cultural Arts program for Cultural Collaborations

Checking out photos from the House of Dreams performance at the Rotunda

Kathy Sykes, Eleanor Elkin and Norma Carter

All photographs by Mark Garvin

Dance Class!

2011-04-18T09:50:00.000-07:00

The Cultural Arts program has a new dance teacher, Joanna Quigley. Here's some pictures from her afternoon dance class today.

Photos from the Chestnut Hill Exhibition

2011-03-18T07:07:00.000-07:00

Our spring art exhibition opened at Chestnut Hill College on March 16. Here are some photos from our fabulous opening reception!

Ashley with our lovely art teacher Emilia

Artwork by Mike S., James S., and Jason

Artwork by Ashley, Freddy, David, Myron and Ron

Dwayne and Kara check out his drawing, "Maria Williams Reads the Bible."

Spring Exhibition at Chestnut Hill College

2011-03-07T15:01:00.000-08:00

For our annual Spring exhibition, the work of the artists from the Cultural Arts program will be on view at Chestnut Hill College's Dwight V. Dowley Gallery from March 16 through April 8. An opening reception for the exhibition will be held on March 16 from 6 to 8 PM at the gallery. Stop by to meet the artists and see what we've been working on over the past year!

February recap

2011-02-23T21:44:00.000-08:00

February has been a busy month!

Our very own Chanel is now engaged! You go girl!

Marcos and Rasheed prank called Alison

Teresa helped Sarah with her copious amounts of paperwork

Alison and Sharay gave everyone neon manicures in anticipation of the coming warm weather. Alison is diligently working on Tyree's nails and Maggie is showing off her hot pink digits.

Karaoke club rocked the house! Floyd sang some motown favorites, Marcos and Richard did a Michael Jackson duet, and Ashley melted our hearts with a Mariah Carey classic.

Mike G. and Emily started the construction of a reading nook to display our art books at the upcoming Cultural Arts exhibition at Chestnut Hill College in March. Here Charlene, Sandy, George and Emily prime the soon-to-be book shelves!

The Life Aquatic

2011-02-21T16:45:00.000-08:00

We made a second trip to the Camden Aquarium for those that could not make it the first time around. Rasheed snapped some great pictures of the mystical under water flora and fauna!

In photos: Christina S.

Volunteering with SHARE Food

2011-02-15T12:58:00.000-08:00

Members of the Cultural Arts program have been giving back to the community by volunteering with SHARE Food. The SHARE Food Program is a nonprofit organization serving a regional network of community organizations engaged in food distribution, education, and advocacy. SHARE promotes healthy living by providing affordable wholesome food to those willing to contribute through volunteerism.

George and Myron package food that will be distributed to families that need it.

Rasheed has volunteered with SHARE in the past. He is pictured with one of his old friends.

Richard and Rasheed fill up bags for distribution.

Richard and Rasheed finish packing a box.

Adventure Aquarium Trip!

2011-02-04T11:22:00.000-08:00

Today we visited the Adventure Aquarium in Camden. We learned about all sorts of aquatic life.

Tom, Richard, Bernard, Marco, Andrew and Jamie

Everyone had a chance to touch starfish and sea anemone.

Marco checks out a crab

Tom

Paper Houses

2011-02-04T10:10:00.001-08:00

Today we made 3-d paper houses decorated with drawing and collage materials. In photos: Monica with her checkerboard house, Ashley cutting out her piece, Rasheed starting a second house, and Des, Dwayne and Sarah working away.

Freddy's West Philadelphia

2010-12-16T16:01:00.001-08:00

Freddy Williams often references imagery and history of West Philadelphia as subject matter for his artwork. He and his friends created a wheatpasted collage on wood panel to depict life in this section of our city.

Happy Thanksgiving from Cultural Arts

2010-11-24T14:20:00.000-08:00

Richard drew this magical turkey, pilgrim, and ship.

Photos by Christina S.

2010-11-19T16:11:00.000-08:00

Christina S. has recently begun exploring digital photography. Here are some pictures she took earlier this afternoon:

Our lovely director, Linda Price

Self-portrait with Mike G.

Dwayne Boone

Still life, plastic plants

David, Richard, and Shawn

translucent art

2010-10-24T12:53:00.000-07:00

This past week, one of our projects was to use discarded cd cases and cut-up sheets of light gels to explore color composition and create stained-glass style panels.

Shawn and Richard did most of them.

Shawn & Dracula down by the school yard

2010-10-07T19:43:00.000-07:00

To welcome the month of October, we build a scarecrow of Dracula out of scrap wood & fabric.

improv web

2010-10-07T19:34:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, Mike G. facilitated the building of an improvisational weaving board. Helen, Marcos, Freddy, and Richard used a power drill to help install the screws used as axis points in our autonomous yarn-weaving "improv spider web."

More Photos from "House of Dreams"

2010-09-27T06:39:00.000-07:00

Our director Jerry Perna with Mike S., Laura, and Linda before the performance

Tom and usher Rasheed

Richard chases Keith as a muskrat.

David emerges from a giant egg as a baby dinosaur.

Richard leads the audience in a game of "Simon Says."

Taking a bow

Ashley and her friend after the performance

These photos from the debut of House of Dreams were taken by Bonnie Squires unless otherwise noted.

"House of Dreams" Debut

2010-09-26T15:33:00.000-07:00

Our play, House Of Dreams, premiered at The Rotunda in West Philadelphia yesterday to a very supportive and receptive audience.

It encompasses the main goals of the program by showcasing the various creative talents of the individuals within the Cultural Arts program through acting, writing, performance art, choreographed movement, live and recorded music, 2 and 3 dimensional visual art, and multimedia outlets, all under the umbrella of theater.

The project was headed by Jerry Perna, Michael Gerkovich, and Alie Vidich, with the rest of the Cultural Arts staff contributing in a strong way. Linda Price and Gina Renzi facilitated its creation.

Richard contributed a great deal of his creative energy to this project. He played beautiful songs for the audience as the cast took their places backstage.

Mike S. narrates.

Eyes in the dark, at the bottom of the sea

The cast focuses their collective energy to become The Blob

David emerges from a dinosaur egg.

Special thanks to Nofre Vaquer for taking these photographs!

House Of Dreams opens Saturday!

2010-09-23T16:05:00.000-07:00

House Of Dreams, the play we've been working on throughout the summer, will be premiering this Saturday, September 25th at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street, West Philadelphia) at 1:00pm. We look forward to once again sharing our work with the community.

http://www.therotunda.org/calendar/house-of-dreams/

PDDC Picnic!

2010-09-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

There was dancing, games and delicious food to be shared at the annual Arc/PDDC Picnic! The artists of Cultural Arts program designed and printed the t-shirts we wore that day. Special thanks to Shalaine Wallace for organizing this event and Mike Barnes for coordinating the Chestnut Hill College volunteers who helped make the day a success!

Marcos and a volunteer from Chestnut Hill College

Jane and Alison with Swoop

Charles and Kelvin

Asha and Fatima

Sarah and David

Mike S. meets Swoop

Temple Football Practice

2010-09-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

Today a group of people from PDDC's programs watched a Temple football team practice. Their quarterback Kee-ayre Griffen has been volunteering in the Cultural Arts Center this month. Many thanks to Temple and to Mike Barnes for making this trip happen!

Rasheed and Chester Stewart

Rasheed and PDDC/Arc intern Tim

Kee-ayre and Murph

building the moon

2010-09-12T16:27:00.000-07:00

Fabric collage has become a dominant aesthetic in the set design for our upcoming play, House Of Dreams. It will be performed at The Rotunda on Saturday, September 25th.

Ashley, Yvonne, Mike S., and Sarah hot glue the surface patterns.

Ashley adds fabric cuttings to the endless pile of colors and shapes.

Charlene & Emilia's collaborative portraits

2010-09-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

This past Friday, Charlene and Emilia spent the afternoon creating a series of portraits together.

Morris Arboretum bookends the summer

2010-09-12T15:57:00.000-07:00

Last week, a group from Cultural Arts once again ventured away from the urban grid of Philadelphia, to the pastoral settings of the Morris Arboretum in Chestnut Hill.

Hector is seen here enjoying a bush of roses.

Linda, Yvonne, Monica, Pietro, Myron, and Charlene observe the landscape.

Rasheed, as per usual, handles the camera like an unblinking eye.

One and Three Quarters of an Inch Exhibition

2010-09-02T10:40:00.000-07:00

Sandy's notebooks will be included in an exhibition, One and Three Quarters of an Inch, that opens September 11 at the Former Convent at St. Ceceila's Parish in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn. The exhibition will be presented in the dark, and the artwork will be viewed by way of flashlight. Check out curator Peter Clough's website for more information.

Last Chance to see the Cultural Collaborations Exhibition at La Salle

2010-08-31T13:46:00.000-07:00

This is the last week to see the Cultural Collaborations exhibition at La Salle University Art Museum's community gallery, featuring artwork created during our 2009-2010 partnership. The show includes landscape paintings like Pietro's pictured above, photographs, African masks, and works on paper. The gallery is located in Olney Hall on La Salle's campus at 1900 W. Olney Avenue in Philadelphia.

Visit the La Salle University Art Museum website for more information about their programs and exhibitions.

Ashley's Simpsons portraits

2010-08-29T07:14:00.000-07:00

Bart

Marge

Lisa

Homer

Maggie

Ashley's Staff Portraits

2010-08-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

Ashley spent the afternoon painting portraits of all the Cultural Arts staff.

Mike G.

Val

Emily (as a vampire)

Sharay

Emilia

Alison

and her self portrait.

Things to do with your friends

2010-08-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

Rasheed took these photographs on Friday...

Ashley recorded some guitar

Hector tagged school property in graffiti club

Mike S., Pietro, Richard, Tyree, and Yvonne are constructing a car for our fall theater production

New Jersey eliminates "The R-Word" from laws and regulations

2010-08-18T17:13:00.000-07:00

Check out this article from WHYY about how the governer of New Jersey signed legislation today eliminating hurtful terminology from laws, regulations and services.

Mutant sea shells found on the Jersey shore!

2010-08-17T20:30:00.001-07:00

Puppets, Textures, and the Moon

2010-08-16T17:40:00.000-07:00

We have been preparing some puppets and set design pieces for an upcoming play at The Rotunda scheduled for this fall.

The Dream Weaver awaits the attachment of his limbs.

Yvonne, Richard, and Emily construct The Dream Weaver

Sharay and Shawn create multicolored paper cut textures.

Mike S., Yvonne, and Richard have begun the construction of the moon.

Richard's sketchbook

2010-08-09T16:42:00.000-07:00

Richard is a talented man that attends the Cultural Arts program. Below are some selections from his sketchbook.

Freddy/Ashley Collab

2010-08-09T16:25:00.000-07:00

Freddy and Ashley have been collaborating on paintings and drawings. Here's a selection from their series:

Freddy/Ashley collab. part 2

2010-08-09T16:09:00.000-07:00

Here are some more of Freddy and Ashley's collaborative paintings.

Paper Mosaics

2010-07-25T07:38:00.000-07:00

In Friday's Art Class we transformed the art room by making a paper mosaic installation using cut and ripped collage paper. In photos: Yvonne and Pietro.

Charlene's Books

2010-07-09T10:17:00.001-07:00

Charlene has been collaborating with Sarah and Emily to make these beautiful artist books.

Rally at City Hall in the Inquirer

2010-07-03T10:02:00.000-07:00

Check out an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer about our involvement in the rally at City Hall protesting budget cuts for non-profit organizations like ours.

Bike Shop!

2010-07-02T10:26:00.000-07:00

Mike G. gave an impromptu workshop on fixing a flat this week.

In photos: Danny, Mike G., Murph, and Hector.

Arc and Cultural Arts join forces to fight budget cuts!

2010-07-01T11:02:00.000-07:00

Today we rallied together with other organizations at City Hall to fight the budget cut on services like ours that the city is trying to pass. No way! Special thanks to Nofre, Associate Director of the Arc, who invited and transported us there. Thank you Nofre!

In Photos: Rasheed, Ashley, Peter, George, Jason, Freddy, Emilia, David, Nofre

some catching up

2010-06-27T08:39:00.000-07:00

Rachel and Tina screen printing

We have a new zine called I've Got The Numbers! The covers have glitter stencils, the content is stellar, and there's a limited edition of 50.

Richard's drawings can be seen on various stickers in the Chinatown area.

Cultural Arts and ARC joined forces recently to rescue a kitten from the wheel well of a truck!

Getting Ready for AFTCP!

2010-06-09T08:56:00.000-07:00

We've been hard at work creating note cards, dioramas, and paintings this week. Many of these works will be for sale at Art for the Cash Poor, an event sponsored by InLiquid at the Crane Arts Building. You can visit us at our table on June 12 from 1-6 PM and check out what we've been making. Check out the InLiquid website for more details.

Monica adds a hand-sewn touch to a painting by Karen.

Timmy and Emily silkscreen the first layer of a notecard.

Murph and Emily work on the second layer.

Hector and Mike G. created this diorama together.

Pals for Life!

2010-06-09T08:33:00.000-07:00

Today we had a visit from Pals for Life. We got to meet Emma the dog and 3 adorable kittens!

Murph and a sleepy kitten

Ashley and Emma

Jane

Art for the Cash Poor 11

2010-06-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

This weekend the Cultural Arts Center will be featured at Art for the Cash Poor 11, an annual event sponsored by InLiquid with artists and craftspeople selling their work for $199 or less. Visit our table on Saturday from 1-6 PM to learn more about our program and purchase paintings, prints, ceramics, notecards, and zines made by the artists of the Cultural Arts Center.

This event is located in the Crane Arts Building at 1400 N. American Street in Philadelphia. For more information, please visit the Art for the Cash Poor 11 website.

Rasheed's Zoo Photos

2010-06-04T08:32:00.001-07:00

The Cultural Arts Center visited the Philadelphia Zoo yesterday, and Rasheed took these photos of the animals we saw there.

wheatpasting in Texas, pt. 2

2010-06-03T16:22:00.000-07:00

More of Mike G. & Freddy's collaborative wheatpastes in the North Loop neighborhood of Austin, Texas.

Wheatpasting in Texas

2010-06-03T16:13:00.000-07:00

Mike G. spent Memorial Day in Austin, Texas, where he wheatpasted some of Freddy's and his own art onto various surfaces of the North Loop neighborhood.

Party for Anni

2010-05-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

Anni's last day as a habilitation specialist was today, so we had a dance party to celebrate all the fun times we've had with her this year.

Mike S., Rasheed, Anni and Myesha

Dance party!

Tiger Mural

2010-05-27T16:03:00.000-07:00

Emily facilitated a group mural painting project.

finished product

Tina & Rachel

Silmarie & Sylvia

Mike G. & Freddy, with Christina W. supervising

Cultural Collaborations Opening Reception

2010-05-21T06:35:00.000-07:00

This Thursday our Cultural Collaborations exhibition opened in the Community Arts Gallery of the La Salle University Art Museum. The works on display were created in response to lectures and visits to La Salle's museum about landscape painting, photography, African masks, and abstract works on paper.

Special thanks to Curator of Education Miranda Clark-Binder and our art teacher Kay Healy for facilitating this partnership!

Miranda, Brenda and Linda with artist Ashley

David and his landscape painting

Mike S.'s landscape painting

Kay and Danny looking at Pietro's photograph

Freddy's collage

Christina and her solar print

Charles and Jeffrey

Pietro's landscape painting

George and his landscape painting

Masks inspired by the African masks we saw at La Salle's museum

Last chance to see the City Hall show!

2010-05-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

This is the final week to see our art exhibit in City Hall (Broad & Market Streets). All of the work is on the 5th floor of the Northeast corner of the building. The area is only open during business hours (9-5). The last day is Friday, May 21st. See it while there's still time!

Cultural Collaborations Exhibition Opening Reception

2010-05-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

Cultural Collaborations Exhibition
May 20 - June 24, 2010
Opening Reception: Thursday, May 20, noon - 2PM

An exhibition of artwork created through our Cultural Collaborations partnership opens at the La Salle University Art Museum's Community Art Gallery on the lower level of Olney Hall on Thursday, May 20 from noon - 2 PM. The show will feature paintings, photographs, works on paper, and masks and will be on view through June 24.

For more information, please contact Miranda Clark-Binder, Curator of Education at 215.991.3680, clarkbinder@lasalle.edu, or www.lasalle.edu/museum.

Trip to Russia with Charlene's Art Cat

2010-05-13T10:51:00.000-07:00

Charlene made a feline travel companion for Emilia during her trip to Russia. These are some pictures from their journey!

Traveling and hanging out in St. Petersburg

Visit to Red Square

Red Square

Saint Basil's Cathedral

Color Mixing Demo

2010-05-13T05:49:00.000-07:00

Today Linda and Sarah led a color mixing demo. We learned about the color wheel and about how the primary colors can be mixed to create new colors.

All photos by Rasheed!

Murph adds the primary color red to our color wheel.

Mike S. mixed red and blue together to make purple.

George mixes red and yellow to make orange.

Pietro and Linda mix yellow and blue to make green.

Screen and Zines (ad infinitum)

2010-05-12T15:49:00.001-07:00

Today we put down the first color for a zine we're preparing for our show opening May 20th at LaSalle University, showcasing work made by the students of the Cultural Arts Center as part of the Cultural Collaborations series.

Ashley & Emilia

Keith & Mike G.

Jane

Images by Roderick & Hubert, in fluorescent pink of course

Garden Work (Abbreviated 2-week Recap)

2010-05-04T16:42:00.000-07:00

Our garden is coming along nicely, through the collective efforts of the Cultural Arts cast.

The trellis is all set up.

Freddy planting lettuce

Peter and Jason are seen here clearing an overgrown spot.

Jane planting tomatoes along the trellis

Trip to the Morris Arboretum

2010-05-03T13:21:00.000-07:00

On Friday, students from Chestnut Hill College hosted a community outing to the Morris Arboretum for PDDC. Charlene, Freddy, Mike S., and Mike G. from the Cultural Arts Center wandered through the colorful gardens of the arboretum on this beautiful spring day.

Special thanks to Mike Barnes for coordinating this outing.

zine making (again)

2010-04-28T15:42:00.000-07:00

Hector and Mike G. have prepared a new batch of our most current group zine, Secret Language, to sell at Dwayne's closing reception at Space 1026 (1026 Arch St. 2nd floor) this Friday (April 30th), 5:30-7:30.

Cover by David and Mike G.

Trimming pages

Pamphlet stitch registration

All of our zines are hand-sewn in pamphlet stitch style

Bone folding

Bingo Party

2010-04-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

Today we had our bingo party! Everyone created their own hat, and we made a giant bingo card on the floor. Each person in the game was a bingo chip who stood in a numbered square if that number was called.

Tyree, Burton, Val and Diana at the bingo table

Shawn was our free space.

Jason, Willie and Murph

Myron, Keith, Christina and Jason standing in their squares

Emilia and Sandy

Willie

Our bingo tournament trophy

Closing Reception for Dwayne Boone's Art Gallery at Space 1026

2010-04-28T06:33:00.000-07:00

You are invited to celebrate the closing of Dwayne Boone's Art Gallery with the artist on Friday, April 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. This is the final opportunity to view and purchase the gritty and magical work of this prolific Philadelphia artist at Space 1026!

Bingo Costumes!

2010-04-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

We've been working hard all week on costumes for our bingo party tomorrow.

Tyree created this lace, sequin and glitter design.

Sandy in a wig by Sharay and Christina

Romanita in a hat by Sharay

Helen in her own hat and a smock by Hubert

Christina

Modern Art at the PMA

2010-04-15T06:51:00.000-07:00

Today we visited the Modern and Contemporary wing of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to talk about the connections between the artwork in the museum and the art we create at the Cultural Arts Center.

Myesha was drawn to Marcel Duchamp's "The Large Glass."

George, Anni, Yvonne and Charlene talk about a Mondrian painting.

Myesha, Sarah and Mike S. check out a Brancusi sculpture.

Freddy and Sarah really enjoyed a gallery that featured modern art from Eastern Europe.

Christina and Ms. Elisabeth were drawn to the string in this painting from the Ellsworth Kelly gallery. String and yarn are Christina's favorite media.

Garden Trellis

2010-04-09T17:08:00.000-07:00

This week painted and built a trellis for the beans, peas, and tomatoes in our garden.

The finished product, not yet planted.

George

Hubert

Photographs by Rasheed!

Group Mural

2010-04-05T17:20:00.000-07:00

Rasheed, Myron, Hubert, Murph, Myesha, David, and Helen collaborated in painting this mural behind Mike's desk.

Photography at the Park

2010-04-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

During Friday's Art Class we spent the morning at the park on Kelly Drive. Everyone took beautiful photographs as part of our workshop for Cultural Collaborations. In photo: Yvonne, Linda, Myesha, Freddy, and Rasheed.

Photo by Pietro

Photo by Myron

Photo by Rasheed

Charlene

Yvonne

Rasheed

Photo by Freddy

Drawing in the park

Photo by Rasheed

Opening Reception for Dwayne Boone's Art Gallery

2010-04-02T10:11:00.000-07:00

Tonight was the opening reception for Dwayne Boone's solo exhibition at Space 1026. Check out www.space1026.com for more details. All photos by Bonnie Squires.

Dwayne Boone's Art Gallery - opens this Friday

2010-04-01T16:15:00.000-07:00

Artist Dwayne Boone of Philadelphia Developmental Disabilities Corporation (PDDC) will be having his first solo exhibition at Space 1026 Gallery this April. A prolific painter, Boone will be showing over 150 portraits, landscapes, wildlife paintings, and several sculptural works, all created within the last year. Boone will also be creating a large, site-specific mural in the gallery space. Boone, who was recently featured on Channel 6 news uses his paintings to create a world both gritty and magical - and his work emerges as distinctly Philadelphian.

Dwayne Boone's artistic talent has been recognized by many in the disabilities field, but this is the first exhibition for Boone that is strictly based on the quality of his artistic style and vision. Boone's fresh, folk art style and love of topical subjects, makes for a perfect match for the Space 1026 gallery. Please join us on First Friday, April 2nd from 6-10pm, for the reception and to meet the artist.

Dwayne Boone's Art Gallery
April 2nd - 30th
Reception: First Friday, April 2nd, 6 - 10 pm
Space 1026
1026 Arch Street, 2nd Floor (only accessible by stairs)
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Space1026.com

To see some of Dwayne's recent paintings, click here.

Cultural Collaborations: Printmaking and Abstraction

2010-03-26T13:59:00.000-07:00

Today LaSalle University Museum's Miranda Clark-Binder gave a lecture on abstraction and works on paper as part of our Cultural Collaborations program. We talked about works by Fernand Leger, Joan Miro, Alexander Calder, Matsumoto Akira and Moe Brooker.

Rasheed's Portraits

2010-03-24T13:46:00.000-07:00

Lately Rasheed has been documenting his days at the Cultural Arts Center in photographs and taking these interesting portraits of his friends.

In photos: Myesha; Brenda; Yvonne and Floyd; Mike G.; and Mike S.

Planting seeds

2010-03-23T13:21:00.000-07:00

Spring is here! We're preparing our garden for a bountiful growing season.

In photos: Tonya and Mike S.; Romanita and Helen; Peter, George, and Teresa; Myron; and Floyd and Mike S. enjoying a sunny afternoon.

African Masks

2010-03-19T14:28:00.000-07:00

Today we made colorful masks inspired by the traditional African masks we saw at La Salle University's collection. This project is part of our Cultural Collaborations partnership with La Salle University Art Museum.

In photos: George, David, Mike S., Kay, Charlene, and Karen; Samuel working on his mask; Bernard and Andrew; and Mike S.

Spring Art Exhibition Opening Reception

2010-03-12T13:31:00.000-08:00

Last night we held the opening reception for our Spring Art Exhibition at City Hall in Philadelphia. Over 200 people attended to celebrate the talent of the artists of the Cultural Arts Center. Special thanks to the group of volunteers from University of Georgia volunteers who helped out with our event!

In photos: Linda, Robert Bullock from Coalition Ingenu, and others appreciating the artwork in the first gallery; Richard, Sarah and Jerry in the second gallery; UGA volunteer Krelin, Hector, and Judy Taylor in front of the collaborative wooden quilt; Andrew Jeffrey Wright, Gwen, and Mike G. admire Sandra's drawing; George and his collage; Mike S. and UGA volunteer Meredith; Rasheed with his mother and sister.

Photo credit: Bonnie Squires.

City Hall show opening

2010-03-10T16:34:00.000-08:00

Our art exhibition at Philadelphia's City Hall opens tomorrow, Thursday March 11th, from 5:30-8PM. Everyone is invited to attend and meet the artists and see their recent artwork. The show runs until May 21st.

A Visit from the University of Georgia Volunteers

2010-03-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

Student volunteers from the University of Georgia spent a week working with PDDC as part of an alternative, service-based Spring Break. Today they stopped by the Cultural Art Center to help us make monotypes.

Dwayne's Posters

2010-03-05T16:39:00.000-08:00

Today we screenprinted 48 posters for Dwayne's upcoming show at Space 1026. Dwayne's exhibition will feature 250 + paintings and a mural he will paint in the gallery.

Opening reception is April 2nd, from 6 - 10 pm at Space 1026, 1026 Arch Street, Phila, PA 19107.

batiking, painting, and printmaking

2010-03-03T17:53:00.000-08:00

Hector applies dye to fabric that we used in a batiking experiment.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batik

Charlene is seen here making lovely paintings as usual.

George applies dye to fabric in the batik process.

Teresa is a star screen printer at PDDC.

Wooden Quilt

2010-02-24T18:57:00.000-08:00

A couple of months ago, some staff members discovered a bag of wooden blocks that were used by students at a Martial Arts school. We used them to make a series of layered paintings that have been drilled together in a patchwork fashion. This piece will be exhibited in our upcoming exhibition at City Hall. The opening reception is March 11 from 5:30 - 8:00 PM, and the work will be up through May 21.

The Fresh Prints

2010-02-23T16:23:00.001-08:00

Today we began screen printing an edition of 500 postcards for our upcoming art show in Philadelphia's City Hall.

The opening will take place on Thursday, March 11th, from 5:30-8PM., and the show runs through May 21.

Rasheed and Sharay

Mike G., Freddy, and Anni

Yvonne

David

2010 Chinese New Year tiger masks

2010-02-22T19:03:00.000-08:00

George

Mike

Mike

Chinese New Year tigers!

2010-02-22T18:47:00.000-08:00

Sandy

Myron

Freddy

Art for City Hall

2010-02-14T17:22:00.000-08:00

Here are more examples of artwork that will be on display in our show at City Hall, opening March 11th.

Sandy & Pietro

Myesha

Mike

George

more work for City Hall show

2010-02-14T17:15:00.000-08:00

Here are some more examples of pieces in our upcoming art show at City Hall, opening March 11th.

David

Danny

Mike

David

Myesha

Sun prints

2010-02-06T13:46:00.000-08:00

This Friday we made sun prints by putting objects on photo sensitive paper and exposing them to the hazy winter sun for five minutes. In photos: George, Hubert, Karen and Christina.

Good luck Stephan!

2010-01-31T14:00:00.000-08:00

We recently bid farewell to Stephan Tsapatoris, an amazing music teacher who instructed students in various departments of PDDC, as well as completing multiple other helpful tasks within the organization. The Cultural Arts Center wishes him luck in his future endeavors and will miss working with him.

Stephan & Myesha jamming

Tie Day Friday

2010-01-31T13:52:00.000-08:00

Last week the Cultural Arts Center received a generous donation of a wide variety of items, including a huge amount of ties, so we facilitated an impromptu workshop on snappy dressing!

Freddy & Mike

Kay, Sharay, & Tyree

Freddy

Charlene!

growing crystals, part 1

2010-01-31T13:37:00.000-08:00

Last week Emilia facilitated a workshop in which we began growing sugar crystals.

Emilia & Freddy adding sugar

adding vibrant colors

George applying color to the solution

Christina mixing the sugar solution

flowers, collages, acrylics

2010-01-22T19:50:00.000-08:00

In photos: Jane, Sarah, Romanita, Charlene, Sharay, Peter, Linda, Yvonne, Floyd, Myesha, and Charlene.

2010-01-22T19:32:00.000-08:00

Some more examples of work for our show at City Hall in March.

Freddy

Charlene

David

Myesha

Charlene

City Hall preview

2010-01-22T19:25:00.000-08:00

We have been working intently at 2-dimensional artwork for our upcoming art show at City Hall, opening March 11th, 2010. Here are some brief examples of the art we will be showing.

Freddy

Yvonne

George

Richard

Nutrition Club

2009-12-31T16:15:00.000-08:00

Today in our afternoon Cooking Club we worked together to make guacamole for an early New Year's Eve celebration.

In photos: Pietro, Freddy, Shawn, Mike S., Rasheed and Charlene; Charlene and Mike S.; Sarah and Rasheed.

Discovery Club

2009-12-29T06:42:00.000-08:00

We have started a new program of afternoon clubs at the Cultural Arts Center. Today we had our first meeting of the Science Club. We made oobleck, a fluid that behaves like a solid when force is applied to it.

In photos: Myron, Charles, Emilia, Anni and Lateeda; Mike G., Jeffrey, and Mike S.; oobleck; and Jeffrey and Mike S.