Have we got a great deal for you! Utrecht Art Supplies is offering you a special 10% discount on all your purchases from both of their stores in Center City and will throw in free delivery for any orders over $100.
Why is this such a great deal, you say? Well, it gets even better.
Utrecht is a Brooklyn-based company (they still make their own paint) started by two brothers 60 years ago and has been serving the Philadelphia community for almost 30 years. It already honors local competitors’ coupons by matching them. So get out those scissors and start clipping, and you can save 10% off already low prices on the highest quality paints, papers, and other materials for your organization or agency.
And there is another little reason to patronize this family-run, socially responsible business. Jennifer Demmer, the indefatigable outreach coordinator for Utrecht Philadelphia, informs us that the company "hearts" Art-Reach: “Utrecht is proud to partner with an organization that gives access to the arts for groups such as at-risk youth, people with disabilities, and elderly people in need.”
Show Utrecht some Art-Reach love back. Click on this link http://philly.utrechtblog.com to start shopping for great deals on quality art products. They also have a knowledgeable staff of working artists to help you make the best selections. Satisfaction Guaranteed!
-by Kathy Spillman
Friday, December 11, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Independence Arts Studio Yearly Winter Exhibition
This Friday, December 11 from 4:30 to 7:00 pm, artists from the Independence Arts Studio (IAS) host their yearly winter exhibition in the Atrium lobby of The Sovereign Building located at 714 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. IAS is a member of Art-Reach and consists of talented artists who have disabilities. Their work will be available for purchase with 50% of each sale going to the IAS artists. Silk and Velvet hand dyed scarves and pillows will be available as well as watercolors, cards, prints and book marks. The event includes light refreshments and the artists will be on hand to talk with people visiting the exhibit. Permanent weavings and textiles will also be on display. For more information contact 215-634-2000 x333.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Keswick Theater’s Toying With Science
Garry Krinsky played to a packed house on Monday morning at the Keswick Theater, and it’s fair to say that most of the 3rd through 5th graders in the audience got their share of “play” in as well. Toying with Science is a colorful and energetic ride through some basic principles of science – some not so basic. As a college graduate, I felt stumped by some of the questions asked by our host that some of the kids were able to readily answer. When Sokhum, 12, told me that one of the new things that he was so excited to learn from Krinsky’s performance was what a fulcrum does, I thought, “…me too.”
A professional juggler by trade, in front of this wide eyed and attentive crowd, Krinsky became an experimental scientist. He walked us through the principles of balance, gravity, air resistance, and the elements of all sorts of simple machines with a thoughtful acronym that I heard kids rapping when the show ended. “Don’t SLIP on the two W’s.”
A fun and educational field trip indeed, and one that has likely encouraged some students at Logan Hope to keep requests for more coming to teacher Lia Blankenship. Others were just as excited to build their already-existing repertoire of learning experiences outside of the classroom. Somy, 11, proudly recalled her last field trip to me, where performers created a fun show based on the alphabet, “…and I’ve seen plays before,” Emily, 11, added enthusiastically. Thanks to the school staff, our Arts Partners, and Art-Reach, seems like “Edu-tainment” is a term that is being introduced to this crowd pretty early on. That too was a term that I was excited to learn.
-by Brooke Whitaker
A professional juggler by trade, in front of this wide eyed and attentive crowd, Krinsky became an experimental scientist. He walked us through the principles of balance, gravity, air resistance, and the elements of all sorts of simple machines with a thoughtful acronym that I heard kids rapping when the show ended. “Don’t SLIP on the two W’s.”
A fun and educational field trip indeed, and one that has likely encouraged some students at Logan Hope to keep requests for more coming to teacher Lia Blankenship. Others were just as excited to build their already-existing repertoire of learning experiences outside of the classroom. Somy, 11, proudly recalled her last field trip to me, where performers created a fun show based on the alphabet, “…and I’ve seen plays before,” Emily, 11, added enthusiastically. Thanks to the school staff, our Arts Partners, and Art-Reach, seems like “Edu-tainment” is a term that is being introduced to this crowd pretty early on. That too was a term that I was excited to learn.
-by Brooke Whitaker
Monday, November 30, 2009
Now Introducing...
At Art-Reach, a new Arts Partner is like a new best friend. So, Art-Reach supporters, I would like to introduce you to our new best friend: BalletX, a modern ballet company in Philadelphia. The company and Art-Reach are both very excited about BalletX’s pledge of 20 tickets to a Saturday matinee during the Fall ’09, Spring ’10, and Summer ’10 shows.
Even more exciting for us is that BalletX is not just any modern ballet company, but a modern ballet company out to “redefine ballet and bring it into the new century.” This mission seems apparent if you watch video clips of past performances on the BalletX web site, where dancers in simple costumes and ballet renditions of classic children’s stories like The Cat in the Hat grace the stage. But to really understand what BalletX is all about, I needed to talk to its members.
I was lucky enough to catch a few minutes with artistic co-director and founding member Christine Cox while she was busy preparing for the Fall ’09 show. As Christine says, the understanding for BalletX is that “If someone is choreographing a work right now, it has to be about today.” In other words, though BalletX performances may speak the classical language of ballet, the speakers are modern dancers and choreographers with contemporary accents who draw on contemporary inspiration.
Also, “because it’s being created today, it’s easier for an audience to relate and connect to.” And connect they do. As publicity coordinator Inna Lobanova-Heasley comments, “We love our audience! It is a special breed, it seems. They react during performances and their enthusiasm is very inspiring to the dancers on stage. There is a big exchange of energy during any given show, which is just amazing.”
At the time this article went to cyber-press, the BalletX team was working like mad to finish the Fall ’09 show, which premieres November 19 at the Wilma Theater. Christine promised three pieces, one sensitive, one inspired by the ocean, and one inspired by classical music. But Inna has one piece of advice for the audience: “Whatever they expect, they will always be surprised!”
-Alli Blum
Even more exciting for us is that BalletX is not just any modern ballet company, but a modern ballet company out to “redefine ballet and bring it into the new century.” This mission seems apparent if you watch video clips of past performances on the BalletX web site, where dancers in simple costumes and ballet renditions of classic children’s stories like The Cat in the Hat grace the stage. But to really understand what BalletX is all about, I needed to talk to its members.
I was lucky enough to catch a few minutes with artistic co-director and founding member Christine Cox while she was busy preparing for the Fall ’09 show. As Christine says, the understanding for BalletX is that “If someone is choreographing a work right now, it has to be about today.” In other words, though BalletX performances may speak the classical language of ballet, the speakers are modern dancers and choreographers with contemporary accents who draw on contemporary inspiration.
Also, “because it’s being created today, it’s easier for an audience to relate and connect to.” And connect they do. As publicity coordinator Inna Lobanova-Heasley comments, “We love our audience! It is a special breed, it seems. They react during performances and their enthusiasm is very inspiring to the dancers on stage. There is a big exchange of energy during any given show, which is just amazing.”
At the time this article went to cyber-press, the BalletX team was working like mad to finish the Fall ’09 show, which premieres November 19 at the Wilma Theater. Christine promised three pieces, one sensitive, one inspired by the ocean, and one inspired by classical music. But Inna has one piece of advice for the audience: “Whatever they expect, they will always be surprised!”
-Alli Blum
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
What are you thankful for?
Art-Reach wishes everyone a safe, happy and bountiful Thanksgiving Day feast, and in the spirit of the holiday season please share what you are most thankful for this year in your arts community. Have you had a tremendous experience that you wish to share? Have you witnessed the transformative power of the arts first hand? Did you have a blast visiting a museum or meeting an artist? This is a warm and fuzzy post, and we want to hear from you! Please take time to share your experience, and know that we are truly thankful for all of you!
Monday, November 23, 2009
What’s Audio Description?
Audio description allows people who are blind or have low vision to enjoy equal access to cultural events such as live performances, film, or television, providing individuals with descriptive information about visual elements during pauses in dialogue or narration. Information is transmitted to listeners through a wireless earpiece, allowing people with visual impairments to sit anywhere in the audience during live performances.
Audio description is a means of communicating the most essential information about significant visual elements such as actions, body language, costumes, and settings. Bill Patterson, owner of Audio Description Solutions and a founding member of the Audio Description Coalition, explains audio description as “being the eyes of the audience. So much of our world comes to us through visual information.” The audio describer’s role is to describe what he or she sees without interpretation or explanation. For instance, rather than describing a character as “angry,” the audio describer would say, “Sarah clenches her fists.” This allows listeners to draw their own conclusions.
Audio describers come from a variety of backgrounds and participate in extensive training and coaching. Qualities that make a good audio describer include strong verbal skills, a pleasant voice, and the ability to process information quickly. Ermyn King, Manager of the PA Cultural Access Project at VSA arts of Pennsylvania, says, “It’s exhilarating to do audio description. It requires the integrated application of so many principles, and when you do it well, the difference that it makes is indispensable to the listener.”
For more information about audio description, visit the Audio Description Coalition’s website at www.audiodescriptioncaoliation.org.
-Jennifer Oglesbee
Audio description is a means of communicating the most essential information about significant visual elements such as actions, body language, costumes, and settings. Bill Patterson, owner of Audio Description Solutions and a founding member of the Audio Description Coalition, explains audio description as “being the eyes of the audience. So much of our world comes to us through visual information.” The audio describer’s role is to describe what he or she sees without interpretation or explanation. For instance, rather than describing a character as “angry,” the audio describer would say, “Sarah clenches her fists.” This allows listeners to draw their own conclusions.
Audio describers come from a variety of backgrounds and participate in extensive training and coaching. Qualities that make a good audio describer include strong verbal skills, a pleasant voice, and the ability to process information quickly. Ermyn King, Manager of the PA Cultural Access Project at VSA arts of Pennsylvania, says, “It’s exhilarating to do audio description. It requires the integrated application of so many principles, and when you do it well, the difference that it makes is indispensable to the listener.”
For more information about audio description, visit the Audio Description Coalition’s website at www.audiodescriptioncaoliation.org.
-Jennifer Oglesbee
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Free Public Concert this Sunday
Opera Company of Philadelphia offers a free concert this Sunday, November 22, 2009 from 2:30pm - 4:30pm at Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church
This free public recital features tenor William Burden and baritone Troy Cook on Sunday, November 22nd at 2:30 p.m. at Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church. Burden, who has sung numerous leading roles at the Opera Company of Philadelphia and the most prominent opera houses around the world, most recently performed the role of the Male Chorus in the Opera Company’s sold-out run of The Rape of Lucretia in June 2009. Troy Cook, who just completed a critically-praised performance as Sharpless in OCP’s Madama Butterfly, heads to Royal Opera Covent Garden in December to sing the role of Guglielmo in Così fan tutte, a highlight in his burgeoning international career. Both Cook, who resides in Bucks County, and Burden, a resident of Princeton, are proud to offer their performances in the spirit of National Opera Week for this free-to-the-public recital, which requires reservations. Joining them will be pianist Tim Ribchester.
In exchange for admission to this free recital, the Opera Company of Philadelphia is asking attendees to bring a non-perishable canned good to donate to Project HOME, who just happens to be an Art-Reach member. Reservations are required in order to attend.
For information, call 215-893-3600, ext 242, or email outreach@operaphila.org. Parking is available at these locations:
* 249 S 6th Street
* 530 S 2nd Street
* 516 South Street
Click the following link for directions to Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church. http://tinyurl.com/yczez67
412 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA
An RSVP is required using Eventbrite. http://operaweekfreerecital.eventbrite.com/
An RSVP is required using Eventbrite. http://operaweekfreerecital.eventbrite.com/
This free public recital features tenor William Burden and baritone Troy Cook on Sunday, November 22nd at 2:30 p.m. at Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church. Burden, who has sung numerous leading roles at the Opera Company of Philadelphia and the most prominent opera houses around the world, most recently performed the role of the Male Chorus in the Opera Company’s sold-out run of The Rape of Lucretia in June 2009. Troy Cook, who just completed a critically-praised performance as Sharpless in OCP’s Madama Butterfly, heads to Royal Opera Covent Garden in December to sing the role of Guglielmo in Così fan tutte, a highlight in his burgeoning international career. Both Cook, who resides in Bucks County, and Burden, a resident of Princeton, are proud to offer their performances in the spirit of National Opera Week for this free-to-the-public recital, which requires reservations. Joining them will be pianist Tim Ribchester.
In exchange for admission to this free recital, the Opera Company of Philadelphia is asking attendees to bring a non-perishable canned good to donate to Project HOME, who just happens to be an Art-Reach member. Reservations are required in order to attend.
For information, call 215-893-3600, ext 242, or email outreach@operaphila.org. Parking is available at these locations:
* 249 S 6th Street
* 530 S 2nd Street
* 516 South Street
Click the following link for directions to Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church. http://tinyurl.com/yczez67
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