Why do we need the Arts?

As we proceed in the 2012 year there is talk of budget cuts, decreases in giving, and most of these have to do with the Arts & Culture area. So the question has become, why do we need art and culture? Think about it, what does art do for an individual? It allows the individual to express themselves, it allows the person to be creative, and it allows the individual to work out the solution with what they have at hand.

Art allows one to relax, replenish, and re-think ideas, expressions and statements. Art creates an oasis where one can refresh themselves with paint, chalk, clay or whatever medium the individual chooses. Yet there are those of us that have chosen the path of art not for vacation, but for vocation. We walk this path every day in one fashion or another. We may illustrate a story or a book. We may create a campaign to promote a product or service. We may paint a portrait of a loved one, or a landscape nearby. We may sculpt a memorial or something that is utilitarian. We may also use our talent and skills to teach what we know so that you may enjoy the many facets of Art. Some will utilize their talents to help individuals cope.  Yet when every new year comes about and budgets are made, one of the first cuts in education, and communities are the Arts and Cultural programs. So how do we as individuals help the arts? Support them, visit a museum, look for local exhibits, donate what you can to a local art organization, or take a class in painting, drawing, ceramics, or photography. On this journey of life, see how artists help you along the way. You may be surprised at what you find.

This author for one has learned a great deal in the Arts.

Creativity - I learned to be more creative, by taking written words and turning them into pictures to help tell the story.  To make a mundane object look like a thing of beauty

Task Oriented --I learned to do what needed to be done to complete the task. Many nights while in college after working a part time position and a 45 minute train ride, I learned to utilize that ride into a brainstorming session for the days assignment and once at home would complete the next assignment that was waiting to be completed.  Some nights, this meant finishing the piece at 4 o’clock in the morning. The next day would soon start and I knew that I was current and on task with all of my assignments up to the one that was passed out the day before.

Improvisation – I learned to improvise, when an assignment was not going as I thought it would, I would improvise with a different medium or when I needed to see a hand or foot at a different angle, I would use my own or ask a family member to strike a pose.

Research – I learned that knowledge and research of subjects was needed to help illustrate the story or campaign. This was before the internet so the library, magazines, and my own camera were tools used to help me research what I needed to help complete the task.

Observation – One of the most important tools in the artist’s tool box is the tool of observation, seeing how the line flows, the color changes, how the face looks at different moods, or how the shadows are cast at different times of the day. Observation of those around you will help you decide as to how to react to their situations or needs.

Time Management – I learned that working too long on the initial thought process would hinder the final execution. So I trained to work quickly and set deadlines to meet each task of the project.

Project Management – Each piece is a project, whether it is a solo or a team effort does not matter. The completion of the project is the task. Managing the components of the project becomes essential to make the deadline with a completed and excellent product.

These are some of the many things that I learned as I study art and these are some of the things that we all need to help us on this journey of life. So when the budgets are passed around and the arts programs are on the chopping block make an issue to keep them from getting cut. The Arts can work with a minimum budget, most artists do any way. But the Arts cannot exist if the doors are closed on museums, events and most of all classrooms.

So support the Arts, keep the Arts and Culture in the budgets. Take a class when and where they are offered. Visit a museum, a play, a concert, or visit a local Art event, even make a purchase from a local artist. You’ll be glad that you did and we hope that you will see why we need the Arts.

Author's study of Pennypacker Estate in pen & ink 

Spring into art with an Art Class.

Have you ever wondered as to how they drew that still life, painted that landscape, made that piece of ceramic, or composed that digital image? Well you can stop wondering because the North Penn Arts Alliance in conjunction with the North Penn School District will be providing instruction in drawing, painting, ceramics, digital art and more. As part of the Continuing Education Program run by the North Penn School District, members of the North Penn Arts Alliance will be providing eight to ten week sessions in many of the visual arts disciplines. In addition to that we also have several classes for children from grades K to 12, these classes are held on Saturdays during this semester. The instructors for these classes are all professionals in their fields and have had many of their pieces on public display and held in private collections.  The link to the Continuing Education Booklet is http://tinyurl.com/74j6djg

The description and fees for the Kids’ Classes is found on page 7, the Adult Classes are listed with the fee information on page 12 and the Registration Form is on page 15.  Take a class and Spring into Art this year.

For more information about the classes and the North Penn Arts Alliance at www.northpennarts.org

We wish you an "Artful New Year!"

As we come to the end of 2011, we at the North Penn Arts Alliance wish you all an Artful New Year.

What this means is that Art should be a part of everyone’s life. After all, you see some form of art every day. In a magazine or newspaper you see photographs and advertisements that draw your attention. In books and even on web pages you see illustrations that define what the author is saying.  Even on the streets you see architecture and design that was incorporated a long time ago.

Art is essential to problem solving, creativity, even the generation of ideas.  Many ideas were brought about by a scribble on a napkin or memo pad. So as we go forward into this New Year, think about the arts and what they mean to you. Art, whether it be as visual as a painting, a mural, a drawing or a sculpture, it draws attention to an area. Performing arts also draw people to the community. A blending of both visual and performing arts within the same community would draw more people to the community. When this happens, local businesses thrive, restaurants, shops and the many storefronts that abide in the community. All enjoy the profits that the arts bring to the community.

Art provides an outlet for children and adults. It allows them to express themselves and socialize with others that they may not have if there were no arts programs. Art also allows them to learn and in some cases teach what they have learned. Performing arts teach interaction and timing skills.

So how does one support the arts in these economic times?  Besides the usual means of support of taxes and collections by art groups, there are other ways of supporting the arts in the community. One is by becoming a member of a local art organization. Most of these organizations are a mix of artists and those that enjoy the arts. Other means of support is a letter writing campaign to the local councils and commissioners in support of community art programs, as suggestions for art based programs, fiscal and expertise contributions, and to generate programs and events such as concerts, contests or anything to expand the art base within the community.  

We at the North Penn Arts Alliance will do what we have done for these many past years and will continue to encourage art within the community. Members will have art shows in the area either solo or collectively as the group. Our teachers are preparing to teach the Community Education Art Classes at the North Penn High School during the Spring Semester. We also hold a monthly meeting on the first Wednesday of each month (except July & August). At these meetings we strive to have an artist or someone in the art community make a presentation. Also, North Penn Arts Alliance Member Amy Rims, is planning the “Lansdale Fun a Day” for January?  Its website is Lansdalefunaday.blogspot.com

So please get involved in the Arts and have an “Artful New Year!”

Childrens' Art depicting Lansdale Borrow and Bill Smith's Stain Glass titled "When Life Gives you Lemons"

Give a Gift of Art for the Holidays.

As we get closer and closer to the big festive days of the holiday season, many of us are still struggling as to what to get for a friend, family member or business acquaintance. Stop for a minute and consider giving a gift of Art. That’s right an artful gift of a painting, drawing, print, photograph, or ceramic and a personal favorite, a piece of handmade jewelry.  How does one acquire a piece of art? Well one may visit a local gallery or contact a friend that is in the arts. Another way is to seek local arts organizations such as the North Penn Arts Alliance and ask for a list of where member artists are displaying their work; from there you may be able to contact the artists directly. At present members of the North Penn Arts Alliance are displaying their art at local businesses like Rapunzel’s Salon, the Lansdale Library, North Penn Community Acupuncture. The Morgan Log House will be hosting their winter program on December 11^th and there will be prints of the Morgan created by a NPAA member suitable for framing.

A gift of art is a gift of consideration and thoughtfulness. It shows that you gave some thought and consideration into the receiver’s appreciation for art and provided them with a unique and in most cases a one of a kind piece that they can admire for many years to come. A purchase of a gift of art also supports the artists and the community. So while you are decorating, baking and shopping please consider a piece of art as a gift for a loved one.

Happy Artful Holidays from all of us at the North Penn Arts Alliance.

24 Years of Art in the North Penn Area

North Penn Arts Alliance is celebrating 24 years of art in the North Penn Community. Artist members will have their works on display at North Penn Art and Custom Framing located at 720 S. Broad Street, Lansdale, PA. The show runs from November 18th to November 26th and is open to the public during the business hours of North Penn Art and Custom Framing. Most of the pieces are available for sale along with unframed pieces. The North Penn Arts Alliance started 24 years ago at North Penn Art when it was the local artist supply store. The founders are all local artists and art enthusiast that saw the need to encourage art inte North Penn Area.
The North Penn Arts Alliance continue to take pride in providing an outlet for preserving and promoting artistic growth and culture in our community. As members of the North Penn Arts Alliance we continue to draw on 24 Years of Education, Participation, and Appreciation of the Arts.
From encouraging art shows in public spaces to teaching popular local art classes to arranging trips and other special events, the North Penn Art Alliance (NPAA) offers artists and art enthusiasts’ opportunities to create, learn, network, and grow in a supportive environment.
Help us celebrate 24 years by attending the show and support the arts by supporting local artists, designers and crafters when you purchase and display their works. Proceed go towards the mission of the North Penn Arts Alliance.

What you missed at the September meeting.

Summer has ended with the celebration of Labor Day and with that the North Penn Arts Alliance has started the fall with their first monthly meeting. As is tradition, the members attending are the Gallery Presentors as they share with others what we did over our summer vacation.

Several of us brought in paintings, photos, and drawings, there were new jewelry pieces, a presentation of bringing a 19th Century portrait to life and a magnificent wood sculpture.

There was food and refreshment during our break. During the business session, we were brought up to date with the outcome of our summer exhibit at the Montgomery County Community College and an inquiry about the organization restoring a historic 3 story mural. Discussions about upcoming shows and events also took place. We also  were informed about a member starting a Fun A Day site which can be viewed at http://lansdalefunaday.blogspot.com/

You will also note that there are signs around the community promoting art classes. The North Penn Arts Alliance works with the North Penn School District for the Community Education program. Several members will be providing instruction to young and old alike with almost anything that has to do with art. For more information on the art classes, visit our website at http://www.northpennarts.org/ and click on the Classes page, or visit
 http://www.npenn.org/5577992912550/lib/5577992912550/2011/COMED%20FINAL.pdf?5577Nav=|&NodeID=6707

North Penn Arts Alliance starting up for a new and vibrant season.

We at the North Penn Arts Alliance are gearing up for the 2011-2012 season of Art and the journey that it will take us on. After our last meeting in June we formed together for a fabulous show called “Mixed Media” at the Montgomery County Community College in the Fine Arts Center of the Blue Bell Campus.

The comments in the guest book were as follows:

“Good Show”, “Great Show-Thanx”, “Great Job”, “Wonderful Variety”, “Fantastic”, “Good Talent”, “Awesome Art”, “Beautiful Artwork” and the list of compliments and comments continued. Fifty Four artists presented a total of 103 pieces of art. Many were new pieces while some had been displayed before. The fact is that a collective body of works was on display for the community for a full month. This was a collection of art that showed “Mixed Media” in a unique way. Each piece was unique in the talent of the artist, its presentation, technique and use of the medium or mediums that the individual artist chose.

Now that the summer is coming to a close, we at the North Penn Arts Alliance are looking forward to the next steps on this Art Journey that we travel. Several of us sat in on the Lansdale Borough Meeting of August 2^nd and listened with interest on the fate of 311 W. Main Street. Happily they plan to go forward but it will take some time and money. Code violations need to be addressed and corrected, re-organization of the space has been considered to correct some of the obvious problems and a task force will be looking into how to make this property viable and profitable for the community, with consideration of the arts as a proponent. All we can do now is wait and see.

In the meantime we will participate in First Friday on September 2nd and have our first members meeting on September 7^th at 521 W. Main Street. At this meeting we will individually present a piece that we did over the summer along with our Artist Trading Cards with the theme of “what I did on summer vacation” and we will announce the “Peoples’ Choice Award” from the show at the Montgomery County Community College.   

Come join us on this wonderful journey of Art.