Get Started on a Fantastic Journey of Art.

Whether you are a seasoned professional, enjoy drawing and painting as a hobby, or you want to learn more about art, there are classes available. Most of you have seen the Spring 2011 Community Education Program booklet that was mailed out recently.  Right on the first page is a list of opportunities for you to take part in an art class of your choice. Anything from drawing, watercolor painting, oil/acrylic painting, digital imaging, ceramics and pottery, and basic cartooning are several courses instructed by North Penn Arts Alliance artists. There are even courses offered for the budding young artist. Each course, although covering a different discipline, are all stepping stones on the journey of art.    I use the metaphor of “a Journey” because each time an artist picks up a brush, pen, pencil, charcoal, or any other instrument that makes a mark, he/she begins to travel and with each journey there is a destination.  The destination is a finished piece and a sense of accomplishment. 

As we draw or paint, sculpt, mold or shape we take a journey with our minds and our hearts to a new world, a new fantasy, the inner world or our inner being. On this journey we learn with each step, with each brush stroke, line or plane that we create.  The artist will do this as an individual and with a group. Several will join in the classes that are offered so that they can learn new techniques, or new disciplines, and learn from each other. But mostly it is also Fun. The instructors are your guide on this phase of the journey and I trust that you will learn much from them, for they all have much to offer.  So we invite you to look at the program booklet again or visit http://www.npenn.org/ and then click on the “For Families” tab and then click on the “Community Education” tab for more information.  The deadline for registration is February 25^th and only mail-in registrations will be accepted.   So join us and let’s get started on a fantastic journey of Art.        

Photo of Pen & Ink drawing titled "Pennypacker Mills Estate" courtesy of NPAA artist Ed Kane.
(Copyright of the piece belongs to the artist)

Who is the North Penn Arts Alliance?

The North Penn Arts Alliance is looking forward to entering the Blog Community and informs you the readers about the alliance, the members, and our exhibits, meetings and progress. First of all who is the North Penn Arts Alliance? The North Penn Arts Alliance is an organization consisting of Artists and people that love Art.
The mission of the North Penn Art Alliance (NPAA) offers artists and art enthusiast’s opportunities to create, learn, network, and grow in a supportive environment. We do this by providing an outlet for preserving and promoting artistic growth and culture in our community.

As we move into this new arena we hope you will join us on what I call a journey of Art. It is done by many of us and in many ways. Like a drawing, painting or a photograph. Steps on the journey include learning new ways and means that art is created, evolved and completed for many to see and appreciate. Many of all ages, sex, creeds, and professions join us in this journey either as fellow artists or admirers and students of the arts. Many of us are professional artists and many are hobbyists, some teach while all of us learn.

We join together socially and artistically at a monthly meeting that is held on the first Wednesday of each month with the exception of July and August. There we will gather at the Univest Building and meet in the community room for a presentation by a fellow member, a discussion about a technique or business of art, or we will have a workshop were we get to learn something new. We then discuss upcoming show or exhibits by individuals and by the Alliance as a whole. We seek areas where Art can be used to help stimulate, influence or inspire.

The North Penn Arts Alliance works with the Lansdale Department of Recreation and the North Penn School District to bring art education to the community. We outreach to the community by running shows at Elm Terrace Gardens and North Penn Art and Custom Framing. We participate in community programs such as North Wales Day and this past year we displayed members artworks at every Lansdale First Friday.

What will we blog about in the future? This blogger will blog about our exhibits, members' shows in the area and where the NPAA will be displaying or gathering for Arts sake.  Please join us and follow us as we walk this journey of art. For more information about the North Penn Arts Alliance visit us at www.northpennarts.org/    or email us at info@northpennarts.org

Future Blogs:

March Monthly Meeting at Univest, Silk Screen Workshop, show discussions and Artist Trading Cards

April will be big with First Friday, the International Spring Festival and our 17th Spring Members' Exhibit at Elm Terrace Gardens