Flowers and Art in Lansdale

Members of the North Penn Arts Alliance had a wonderful display at the International Spring Festival recently held at the North Penn High School. Three of our members hung their artworks for display amongst the students works. We also had several members demonstrate throughoutthe day. One member painted the visitors as they passed the hallway of the Art Pod, another was drawing using a goose quill to draw with and there were others that demonstrated digital imaging and pottery techniques. It was most interesting to see our works blended with the works of the high school studeents. It was  a pleasure to see that there are others willing to take the journey of art.

The North Penn Arts Alliance is gearing up for their 17th Annual Spring Members' Art Exhibition. This is in conjunction with the Elm Terrace Gardens Flower Show. This is a three day show that will open on April 28th at the Elm Terrace Gardens and will close the evening of April 30th. This show will showcase hundreds of North Penn Arts Alliance's members artworks, from paintings, drawings, prints, and three dimensional works. We will also have a special exhibit highlighting our student members and those attending our "Just for Kids" Art programs.  Most of the works on display will be available for purchase. In addition several artists and businesses have donated original art, prints, gift baskets, and gift certificates for a raffle drawing that will take place on Saturday evenining at 7:00 p.m.

All proceeds from the raffle ticket sales and the consignment from the art sales go towards the mission of the North Penn Arts Alliance, to offer artists and art enthusiasts' opportunities to create, learn, network, and grow in a supportive environment.

There will be free refreshments and entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings. Admission to the show is free.

So join us on this fantastic journey of art. Come supports the arts and buy an original.

What you missed on the journey of Art with the NPAA

If you could not make it to the April 6^th meeting of the North Penn Arts Alliance, you missed a wonderful meeting.

Our “Gallery Hour” had two presenters that evening. Our first presenter was Mike Darr who is a photographer. Mike presented several of his photographs from his recent travels across the country. He is interested in photographing different textures and several of his photographs were from an historic tobacco farm. He talked about organizing a trip to North Carolina to visit this historic tobacco farm which has been placed in a state of preservation and is now a Bed & Breakfast facility and campground. He also proposed a NPAA artist book. He showed example slides. It would showcase different artists of the NPAA. This book could be used as a marketing tool to promote both the artists and the NPAA. There will be a price to be featured in the book, but the more artists that partake, the lower the cost. It is a work in progress and hopefully will be rolled out in the fall.

Our second presenter for the evening was Christine Webb. Christine is a self-taught quilter. She has been quilting since she was 17 years old. Christine enjoys using recycled jeans to make quilts. She is inspired by her family and her African roots. She also incorporates bright colors and patterns in her quilts.  She brought many finished quilts to show and explained the different techniques that she uses.  Most of the quilts shown were what she calls, “one square wonders”.

During the business meeting we discussed the several “Exhibition Opportunities” that are coming up. The first is on April 16^th when we help celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of the International Spring Festival. We will be set up in the Art Pod of the North Penn High School. There we will display our work, promote the organization and provide demonstrations. The festival is open to the public from 11 to 5 and we will be setting up at 10 a.m.

As always we have several venues were members of the North Penn Arts Alliance display their work in the community. The Lansdale Library has had several members there for a long time. The Penn Suburban Chamber of Commerce (formally the North Penn Chamber of Commerce) has rotating shows, currently showing is Sally Neiderhiser. Arlene Reynolds will be showing in mid-April to mid-May. Then Ed Kane will display his art from mid-May to June.

We have an opening at Rapunzel’s for someone to show from May 15^th through June 15^th.  St. Peter’s Church in North Wales will permit us to show in the narthex when it is not needed for congregational functions. Contact the NPAA office and we will place you on the list.

There is an exhibition opportunity at St. Miriam’s in Blue Bell, please contact the NPAA office for information.

We will soon have space to display in the North Wales Library once that is available we will make the announcement.

Lansdale Hospital (formerly North Penn Hospital) has three hallways just looking for local artists to display. Currently there are artists showing but they would like to see more. Please contact the NPAA office and we will forward your information to the coordinator.

Lansdale First Friday Events held on the first Friday of each month until December. This is a great opportunity to spread the word about the North Penn Art Alliance and to show your art. We need more volunteers to display art, demonstrate, and talk to the public.

Finally we have our “17^th Annual Spring Members’ Exhibition” at the Elm Terrace Gardens in Lansdale. If you have not received a prospectus, you can get one from our website www.northpennarts.org.  This is a great show that has been growing in art and visitors each year. The show is a juried show for prizes and will open to the public on April 28^th at 10 a.m.

Participating artists are required to register their entries on April 25^th from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Elm Terrace Gardens. Our Juror for the event is acclaimed watercolor artist Jim Mc Farlane, AWS, PWCS, PWS. Jim McFarlane is a signature member and current president of the American Watercolor Society (AWS), a signature member of and past president of the Philadelphia Water Color Society (PWCS), and a signature member of the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society (PWS). He teaches watercolor painting at the Woodmere Museum Art, the Greater Norristown Art League and the Doylestown Art League. He conducts workshops nationally and is a featured speaker on watercolor painting and art history. He has been a finalist in the Artist Magazine Annual National Art Competition and has authored several articles on watercolor painting. Most recently his work was featured in the Spring 2011 issue of American Artist Watercolor magazine.   Jim has also been honored with the PWCS Crest Medallion for “Consistent Excellence.” Mr. Mc Farlane is looking forward to seeing the Art of the North Penn Arts Alliance members.  

2010 Spring  Best of Show winner Dan Fione

Several of us have continued on this journey of art. By joining the NPAA or visiting our shows, displays, demonstrations or classes, you also take the steps on the Art journey. It is a wonderful journey filled with color, emotion, and friendship. So come out and see the many faces and the wonderful works of the members of the North PennArts Alliance.