mtairyartgarage-blog

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Countdown To The First Ever Family Pride Picnic and Arts Festival In Mt Airy

The event is ON! Saturday, June 23, 11 am – 5 pm, Lovett Library Park, 6945 Germantown Ave., 19119. Admission is free. The festival is alcohol and smoke-free.

In celebration of Philadelphia’s 30th Anniversary of Pride, the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Philadelphia Family Pride, and the Mt. Airy Art Garage are partnering to hold the first ever Philly Family Pride Picnic & Arts Festival.

The event will be held at the newly renovated Lovett Library Park in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia on Sat. June 23 with a rain date of Sat. June 30, 2018. The event will run from 11 am – 5 pm at 6945 Germantown Avenue.  Admission is free and open to all ages, families, and community members.

Slated to attend the picnic are Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, Director of the Office of LGBT Affairs Amber Hikes, members of Philadelphia City Council, and a host of well-known personalities to join us in the festivities.

There will be family-friendly entertainment including jugglers, face painters and craft tables. Music brought to you by Anna Crusis Choir. Drumming brought to you (bring your drums!) by Jan Jeffries and Music Over Matter (MOM). There will be resource tables from a variety of organizations and nonprofits that provide services and support to LGBTQ parents and youth including William Way Center, The Mayor’s Office, ACLU of PA, PFLAG, FSP Against Bullying, HRC, Sisterspace, Action Wellness, LGBT Elder Initiative, and of course Philly Family Pride and the Mt. Airy Art Garage.

The Arts Festival portion will feature unique, one-of-a-kind work by local artists including handmade leather goods and buckles, fine art, photography, handmade soaps, handblown glass, delightful bird houses for your garden, woodwork, and more. Artists include:

Angelique Benrahou, Denise Benrahou, Bob Bruhin, Karen Bruhin, Katherine Cheetham, Gretel DeRuiter, Roz Dutton, Tina Grello, Itzik Lorant, Jennifer Lynne, Arleen Olshan, Patricia Smith, Soaps by Alana, and Nicki Toizer.

And, of course, what would the day be without entertainment by Anna Crusis Women’s Choir and the drums of Jan Jeffries and Music Over Movement (MOM)! Plus Island Spot and 2StreetSammies will have their food trucks there to make the day perfect!

“Bring your questions, talk to your peers, support local artists, and just come on out for an incredible day,” said event organizer Linda Slodki from Mt. Airy Art Garage.

“You won’t want to miss this Family Pride event in Mt. Airy celebrating the diverse, beautiful, and extraordinary LGBTQ families and artists here in Philadelphia. This will be a day for celebration, for arts and creativity, for information gathering, and just plain fun. Hope to see you there!” added Philadelphia Family Pride Executive Director Stephanie Haynes.

Mt. Airy Art Garage (MAAG) connects and supports multidisciplined artists and art lovers in Northwest Philadelphia by using creativity to build a thriving, safer community. As a force for change, MAAG continues to build local and city-wide partnerships to bring art and creativity to people who currently have little or no access to them.

Philadelphia Family Pride’s (PFP) mission is to build community for LGBTQ+ parents, prospective parents, grandparents and our kids of all ages – including adults, youth, kids, toddlers and infants. We support our families in the greater Philadelphia region through advocacy, education and family-centered events.

The Office of LGBT Affairs works to foster equal working and living conditions for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people and to advocate for LGBTQ issues in all areas of City government. Created in 2008 by mayoral executive order, the Office of LGBT Affairs became a permanent part of the City’s charter in 2015. The office aims to:

· Develop City policy regarding civil rights issues affecting LGBTQ people.

· Help enact policies and programs to meet the City’s diversity and equality goals.

· Coordinate among City departments, agencies, and offices to improve LGBTQ access to services, and to promote equality and safety for LGBTQ people.

· Support the growth and development of the City’s LGBTQ communities and serve as liaison between the area’s LGBTQ communities and the City.

· Provide education about the needs of the LGBTQ community.

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COP Mural Is Complete! Now Let’s Celebrate Our Young Artists At Lovett Library

Lovett Library, Saturday, June 9, Noon till 2 pm, 6945 Germantown Ave., Phila., PA 19119

The Community of Pride (COP) Mural and Literacy Project continues to unfold at Eleanor C. Emlen public school. Children’s minds open up to interests and skills they did not know they had—opening doors to their hearts, souls, and precious creativity. Now it’s time to celebrate this year’s young Emlen artists.

We invite you to join us at their first ever reception and exhibition at Lovett Library, Saturday, June 9th at Noon. This project is about enriching children’s lives, offering inclusive opportunities and sharing the positive rewards of making and studying art together. We sincerely hope you can join us a we honor these amazing kids. All artwork will be for sale with proceeds going to the young artists. Plus tasty treats are being provided by High Point Cafe, Frosted Fox, and Night Kitchen. Admission is free.

Lovett Library, Saturday, June 9, Noon till 2 pm, 6945 Germantown Ave., Phila., PA 19119

The Community of Pride (COP) Mural and Literacy Project continues to unfold at Eleanor C. Emlen public school. Children’s minds open up to interests and skills they did not know they had—opening doors to their hearts, souls, and precious creativity. Now it’s time to celebrate this year’s young Emlen artists.

We invite you to join us at their first ever reception and exhibition at Lovett Library, Saturday, June 9th at Noon. This project is about enriching children’s lives, offering inclusive opportunities and sharing the positive rewards of making and studying art together. We sincerely hope you can join us a we honor these amazing kids. All artwork will be for sale with proceeds going to the young artists. Plus tasty treats are being provided by High Point Cafe, Frosted Fox, and Night Kitchen. Admission is free.

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Young Emlen COP Artists Visit the Fabric Workshop

It started with some of our COP teaching artists going to the Fabric Workshop for an exhibition. What should our eyes behold but Faith Ringgold’s Tar Beach 2 Quilt! And why would that be so amazing to us? Because our young Emlen artists read and learned from that same book by reknowned African American artist, Faith Ringgold! So we reached out to Fabric Workshop and became partners for a magical day at their museum. FW even supplied the bus! For many, if not all of the kids, this was their first time ever in a museum. They saw the quilt they had studied during the year, read from her book, toured the museum, and participated in a screen printing workshop. Thank you Fabric Workshop! It’s amazing what love for the arts and for kids without access can do.

Now feast your eyes on their amazing day. You tell me if they had a good time.

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Help Paint The COP Mural At Emlen!

There is a story to be told, and it’s unfolding at East Mt. Airy’s Eleanor C. Emlen School, a public school with lack of access to art education. A public school where the children are guaranteed one meal a day, where many kids walk to school. But dreams are happening and endless possibilities are being introduced as the children immerse themselves in the creativity of the visual arts and related language arts.

Once a week, during the last two periods on Fridays, a 4th to 5th grade classroom gathers to work diligently on art and literacy. Focused energy abounds, as excitement about their projects grows each week. These students, with their teachers from the Mt. Airy Art Garage (MAAG), work together building artistic skills and a working arts-related vocabulary. Building vocabulary is a great way to build comprehension and expressive language.

The ultimate outcome is a mural that will become a legacy of their work, permanently affixed to an interior school wall. The process includes learning to observe, think, draw and speak with depth, meaning and expression.  Each child has his or her own “quilt block” on this large mural, filled with imagery they have developed over the course of this year’s lessons. The pictures are about their community and themselves. Some are literal; some are metaphorical (and they know the meanings of such words). They know how to explain the foreground, background, focal points, proportions and perspectives of their images, and much more. Using their own work as references, as well as literary sources, they learn in context, the language of art and artists.

Using author and artist Faith Ringgold’s classic illustrated family story, Tar Beach, students are engaged in learning to interpret the book’s meaning. Teacher-guided discussion and subsequent drawing assignments tie into the main visual and verbal content of the book. The students at Emlen Elementary are all African American. Faith Ringgold is a highly successful African American artist — a valuable role model for these students.

Students engage in their creative work through a structured experiential, collaborative process that incorporates making art, critical thinking, vocabulary development, story telling, and interaction with teaching artists and visiting artists. They are thrilled when Mikel Elam, artist and manager of the Artist and Craftsman Supply, in Chestnut Hill, comes to visit. He brings his wealth of experience as an African American artist, his own art to share with students; and he always brings wonderful supplies to stimulate imaginations and enrich imagery.

The Community of Pride Mural and Literacy Project has opened these children’s minds to interests and skills many did not know they had. It has opened doors for them, doors to their hearts and souls; doors to their precious creativity.

Be part of the magic at Emlen and help us paint the mural. You can contact the Mt. Airy Art Garage at info@mtairyartgarage.org or call 267.240.3302. Even better, come visit us at our gallery at 6622 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119.

               — Ruth Joray, Curriculum Designer/Artist

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Mt. Airy Art Garage Announces Season-Long Partnership With Philadelphia Theatre Company

The Mt. Airy Art Garage (MAAG) is thrilled to announce our partnership with Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) for the 2018-2019 Season! You will have three opportunities to experience both theatre and fine art under one roof at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (480 S. Broad)! So stay tuned for our city-wide call for artists!

PTC’s line up includes Pulitzer Prize-winner Sweat by Lynn Nottage, a World Premiere production from the Kilroys’ List with How To Catch Creation by Christina Anderson, and the Tony Award-winning musical The Bridges of Madison County. These complex and beautifully crafted stories from three award-winning female voices center around women and their experience — their relationships, their untold stories, their triumphs and their power. The accompanying fine art and handcraft exhibitions will build upon these themes.

America Undone will be the first MAAG show, accompanying Sweat, and will run Oct. 12 – Nov. 4, 2018. Sweat tells the story of a group of friends who have spent their lives sharing drinks, secrets, and laughs while working together on a factory floor in Reading, PA. However, when layoffs and picket lines begin to chip away at their trust, the friends find themselves pitted against each other in a heart-wrenching fight to stay afloat. “One of the hardest jobs anyone can have is the job of being poor,” said Lynn Nottage. “To survive from day to day is an epic struggle to find a way to feed yourself, clothe yourself, put a roof over your head. It is the most Herculean path when you have nothing.”

The season will continue with the Philadelphia premiere of The Bridges of Madison County, with the accompanying photography exhibition of The Road Not Taken. The show will run from Feb. 8 – March 3, 2019. In this soaring romance, Francesca Johnson, a beautiful Italian woman who married an American soldier to flee war-ravaged Italy, looks forward to a rare four days alone on her Iowa farm in 1965. However, her quiet escape is upended when ruggedly handsome National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid pulls into her driveway seeking directions. What happens next in those four days may very well alter the course of Francesca’s life.

The conclusion of the season will feature the world premiere of How to Catch Creation, an inspirational story running March 22 – April 14, 2019.  In the mid-1960s, a black, queer, feminist writer’s life is changed when her girlfriend tells her some unexpected news. Fifty years later, the reverberations of that moment still echo in the lives of four individuals in the rapidly changing city of San Francisco. Christina Anderson’s stunning and complex examination of the universal act of creation—creation of life, of family, of art—spans space and time to inspire a new generation of makers and lovers. So it only makes sense that our final MAAG exhibition for the season is Makers and Lovers.

Stay tuned to our website, on FB, Twitter, and Instagram as we share more information on MAAGs Open Call for Artists — or just stop by our gallery at 6622 Germantown Ave.

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“Drawing From Live Models” Twice Every Month @ Mt. Airy Playground Rec. Center

Two sessions every month on the 2nd and 4th Thursday.

Mt. Airy Playground Recreational Center, 7001 Germantown Ave., 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm $10 per session

Mt. Airy Art Garage is pleased to announce our new partnership with Mt. Airy Playground Recreation Center. The main house has a marvelous space perfect for “Drawing From Live Models.”  

We are so excited to be relaunching these artist sessions — it’s been too long! These are monitored drawing sessions for intermediate to advanced-level artists. We will be working with clothed models. Bring your drawing supplies, paper, canvas, pen and ink, watercolor, clay, easels, etc. Let your creativity fly!

All adults are welcome. Young adults, 16-18 years old are invited to participate, with signed parental consent.

To RSVP or find out more, contact Arleen Olshan at arleenolshan@yahoo.com.

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Community of Pride…Pictures Speak Louder Than Words!

We’ve been busy at Emlen — talking about Faith Ringgold stories and art, learning art language and techniques, working on literacy through poetry and words, inviting guest artists (thank you Mikel Elam for being an artist role model and guest), filling portfolios and sketchbooks. Stay tuned as we fill you in on more details.

But for now, feast your eyes and enjoy… sometimes those pictures really can speak louder than words.

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It’s Almost Time! Shop & Celebrate At Our 8th Annual Holiday Art Market

Saturday, Dec. 16 and Sunday, Dec. 17 from Noon – 6 pm. 7165 Germantown Ave. (off the corner of Mt. Airy Ave.) Free admission.

Plan that special surprise with some last minute shopping (you know you’ve got it) — all original, unique, handmade crafted goods, keepsakes, and fine art by local Northwest artists that include:

Jane Alpern, Denise Benrahou, Bright Star, Sheila & Deborah Brown, Celeste Caruso, Mary Ann Domanska, Judi Eastburn, Christian Johnson, Bettie Joyner Kleckley, Alise Lauren, Ellen Marcus, Sara Mosley, Lucille Norella, Arleen Olshan, Roberto Rashid, Alana Ratliff-Johnson, Mauricio Riano, Paula Rosenwinkel, Merle Slyhoff, Madeline Rile Smith, Patricia Cousins Smith, Nicki Toizer, and Keisha Whatley.

This two-day curated art fair will fill you with holiday spirit while searching for that extra special gift for yourself, friends, and family. You’ll find jewelry, photography, handmade leather goods, fine art, ceramics, fiber art, botanical art, handblown glass, soaps, lotions and cachets, greeting cards, and more. You’ll even have authors signing their newly released children’s books! All while dancing to live music and savoring tasty bites from Little Jimmies while you shop (or just hang out!). It just doesn’t get any better.

So join us, bring your family, as the Mt. Airy Art Garage brings this all together in the best of all possible places. Remember, this isn’t just an art market…it’s a celebration of our local Northwest arts community.

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Teen Opera Prodigy Will Help Launch Emlen’s COP Mural Project Phase 2

Save the date! Emlen’s Back To School Night

Tuesday, Sept. 26, 5 pm

6501 Chew St. (19119)

Free admission and open to the public.

America’s Got Talent Semi Finalist, at the age of 11? Opera Prodigy? Arielle Baril is all that, except today she is a whopping 14 years old! Arielle and her brother, Joshua Dufour (who taught her to sing), will be special guests at Emlen’s “Back To School Night” Tuesday, Sept. 26. They’ll be telling their stories and singing for the entire school! And what better launch for this next phase of the Community of Pride (COP) Mural and Literacy Project than to continue empowering children with community awareness and commitment while teaching art techniques, literacy, skill building, art history, and confidence. Arielle and Joshua will perform and speak about their experience as performing artists. They will also speak to pride…in your family, yourself, your culture, and your community. Want to know more? Check out Arielle on YouTube.

We, at the Mt. Airy Art Garage, see our partnership with Emlen, with Arielle and Joshua and their family, and a host of others, as yet another way to dream—to share and empower our children and the entire community to be inspired and motivated.

This event is free and open to the public. You won’t want to miss this.

Get to know our Guests!

Arielle Baril

Arielle Baril is a 14 yr. old classical opera singer who was recently seen on Season 10 of America’s Got Talent. Arielle is a Golden Buzzer Act who made it straight to Radio City Music Hall Live Shows. As the youngest performer that evening, Arielle was given the honor of closing a live telecast at Radio City for AGT where she was a semifinalist. Arielle has served as Master of Ceremony, sang at Madison Square Garden twice, competed as finalist in top Classical competitions, and several other events by invitation.

She is represented by Headline Talent for television and film primarily, but her passion is classical/art music. Arielle Baril and her team plan on releasing a classical EP and especially a single which will lay the foundation for future live shows.

Arielle will be in the 9th grade at Abington Jr. High School. Arielle is considered a child prodigy with a voice beyond her years. She was trained by her then 20-year old brother Joshua who recently graduated Ithaca College and will attending Columbia this fall. He continues to mentor her vocally.

Arielle now studies vocal performance with Dr. Barbara DiToro of Temple University. Arielle is currently working on a classical crossover EP with her brothers Christophe and Joshua who are talented musicians themselves.

Arielle strives to empower underrepresented children everywhere with the idea that all genres of music are available to them. As an underrepresented image in the classical world and as young person who chose this genre over others, Arielle is looking to establish herself as an artist whose mission is to convey a message to her peers to dream beyond the glass ceiling.

Joshua Dufour

Joshua Dufour was born on February 23, 1995, in Drexel Hill, PA. He is the son of two Haitian immigrants. From a young age, Joshua’s passion has always been in the arts. At the age of 8, he joined the Archdiocesan Boy Choir of Philadelphia and sang with them for five years. He was a member of his high school’s concert and chamber choirs, the concert band and wind ensemble, the marching band and the drumline, as well as his high school’s musical theatre productions, presented at their very own Upper Darby Performing Arts Center. For his work in theatre, Joshua was nominated for the Cappie Award for Best Male Vocalist in the Greater Philadelphia area, as well as Best Male Critic.

It was during his final years of high school that his younger sister Arielle was old enough to start mimicking his singing around the house and imitating his operatic sounds. Joshua quickly realized that Arielle had a natural gift for the vocal arts and proceeded to train her in operatic soprano songs. Arielle’s unprecedented vocal ability soon led her to the America’s Got Talent stage where she received Heidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer and finished as a Semi-Finalist.

Joshua received his Bachelors of Science degree in Cinema & Photography, with a Concentration in Cinema Production and a Minor in Music, from Ithaca College in 2017. He has worked on various student films as a director, writer, producer, editor, and production designer. During his undergraduate education, he was a member of the Martin Luther King Scholars Program, a dynamic learning community dedicated to developing future leaders and global citizens through Dr. King’s legacy of social justice and equality. He received the Ithaca College Inspiration Award for his work in the community and on campus. This fall, Joshua is attending Columbia University’s School of the Arts to receive his Masters of Arts degree in Film Studies.

As a first-generation Haitian-American, Joshua believes a sense of self and culture is extremely important and he makes an effort to keep his Haitian roots intact. He is a firm believer that diversity is crucial to human development and that people must share their experiences in order to gain awareness of others. He dreams of becoming a director, producer, actor, and singer. His hope is to use his artistic voice to shine light on the social injustices of the world, spread awareness of race, culture, and ethnicity through artistic mediums, and give back to his brothers and sisters in Haiti.

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Past, Present, Future

A Message From Arleen Olshan

I had a difficult experience last night. For the first time in a year, Linda and I walked together on Mt. Airy Avenue past our former building for the Mt. Airy Art Garage. We witnessed the lights being on, our logo being removed from the glass front and people working in the space.

As I looked at the walls that were the gallery, the pod that our architect designed for the bathrooms, the studio walls that were 1/2 rippled plastic, seeing the light and openness of the space with the fans turning, I realized how my heart was broken when this lovely creation was taken from us. The move probably affected all the artists, art-loving neighbors, and supporters who helped us build out the location too. The six years we celebrated the arts in that space was beyond all of our dreams and expectations. We have moved forward and are rebuilding, but neither of us expected the emotion that poured out when seeing the property once again.

So, where are we now? How have we been doing during this period of transition? The Mt. Airy Art Garage is currently operating a fine art and handcraft gallery at 6622 Germantown Avenue, in partnership with Mt. Airy USA. We are waiting for the promised buildout of our new space (across the street) at 6651– 59 Germantown Ave. with the current proposal for completion being Fall 2018. This new location will be transformed into a multi-use space for MAAG with new apartments above our digs.

We have been very active this year in local public schools, working with children on murals, partnering in a variety of artistic endeavors and businesses in our area. We have partnered with Philadelphia Theater Company and will deepen that partnership in 2018. We continue to work with artists of all disciplines, spreading creativity into Pleasant Playground, showing work in City Hall, and, of course, highlighting the work of Northwest artists, from emerging to professional.

Next week, Saturday, August 26th, we will be hosting our first fundraiser at Summit Presbyterian Church with Never Gonna Give You Up (particularly appropriate today) 80s Dance Party with DJ Robert Drake. We have reduced the ticket price to $20 to make it more affordable for everyone. It will be a great night of dancing, making new friends, and enjoying donations from local businesses like Earth, Bread, and Brewery, McMennamins, Night Kitchen, High Point, and more. Remember, in supporting MAAG, you are supporting community artists — your friends, neighbors and family members.

Visit us at the Gift Shop. We are open Wednesday–Saturday, from 12–6 PM. All are welcome. Artists, continue to bring your work. We will make space to show and market your creations. And tell your friends.

See you this Saturday night where we’ll all come together for the 80s and for MAAG and “Rock The Casbah.”

— Arleen Olshan

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There’s A Story To Be Told About Community Of Pride — It Starts With The Kids At Emlen.

There is a story to be told, and it’s unfolding at Eleanor C. Emlen School, a public school with lack of access to the arts. A public school where the children are guaranteed one meal a day, where many kids walk to school. But dreams are happening and possibilities are being introduced as the children immerse themselves in the creativity of the visual arts, (performing arts an unexpected bonus), while we add on the critical literacy component in Phase 2. Hope and opportunity, along with pride and tears of joy and celebration, are opening new doors — led by artists from the Mt. Airy Art Garage (MAAG), teachers from Emlen, an inspired principal, Ms. Tammy Thomas, and, of course, the most amazing class of 4th and 5th grade kids ever.

The first word is children, the next word is pride, followed by creativity and making dreams happen. Year 1 of the Community of Pride (COP) Mural Project has been a year of exploration — talking, drawing, creating unique personal artwork incorporating self pride, family pride, and community pride. Finding artistic safe space that is accepting and creative. But even more… the stories:

· Denise Veronick, Emlen lead teacher, during the mural dedication: “We didn’t pick the best students (to be in the COP Project). We didn’t pick those with the highest grades or best attendance. We chose the ones we felt needed it the most, would be impacted the most, would affect their lives the most. I learned many important lessons. First, everyone is an artist in their own way. Everyone loves when another appreciates their work. These kids were brave and, in the end, reaped the benefits of putting themselves out there.

The group that came together to create this mural couldn’t have been more diverse. With our common goal in mind and our various abilities on display we created a beautiful and meaningful work of art. This is not something that happens in the School District of Philadelphia. This may have been a once in a lifetime opportunity for these young people. They learned to work with people who are very different from them. We shared a mutual respect for our differences. Even though I think we all witnessed the great learning opportunities throughout our time together, I can’t help but think of the lessons these students will take with them into their futures.”

· Touissant: “Toussaint came to Emlen as a 4th grader in the Autistic Support class. He was quiet and seemed to defer to the slightly older and slightly bolder children. In fact, I rarely heard him speak. I chose Toussaint to participate in this project as a 5th grader because of his artistic ability. When he put his mind to a project he saw it through to the end. He put all he had into his drawings, using every bit of space on the paper and using color like a pro.

As the project got started we watched Toussaint bloom into a whole new person. His confidence grew before our eyes. He made friends with a few students finding shared interests such as football and Pokemon. He was actually having full conversations, but that was only one example of his confidence. One class period we were going over a Powerpoint that consisted of words and pictures. When asked for a volunteer to read Toussaint’s hand shot up. (I knew he could not read all the words but he wanted to try.) He stood proudly and read the words out loud as I whispered them to him. He was able to put himself out there because he trusted the group to not make fun of him. He took a giant step in his social confidence that day. Plus he ended up selling his original framed piece.”  — Denise Veronick, teacher. ·  Ishaaq: “Ishaaq came to Emlen for 5th grade. He was a student with limited academic ability and many behavior problems. The first few months of school his teacher complained that he did no school work — all he did was draw all day. We later found out that he couldn’t do the work so he did what he did best, draw.

Whenever Ishaaq came to work on the mural he had perfect behavior and worked harder than anyone else. He had found his niche at Emlen School. His two drawings were a prominent part of the mural. Had he not been a part of this group I fear the growth we saw in June would not have happened. He carried himself with pride, his behavior was completely turned around and his school work was getting done. I saw him the morning of his 5th Grade Move Up Ceremony, he was bursting with pride and looking forward to getting awards in front of his classmates. (I gave him an Art Award and his teacher gave him a Most Improved Award)” — Denise Veronick, teacher.

· Naomi: Naomi showed she had a flair for showing what pride meant to her. She drew a picture of her uncle who is a firefighter along with his fire truck. She spoke about how proud she and her family are of her uncle. She also drew an excellent picture of a hip-hop dancer. This drawing captured the attention from an adult who wanted to own this drawing. They negotiated a price, discussed time spent and value, Naomi signed her work, and both walked away happy.

· Mom, crying at mural dedication: “I am so happy that my child is going to Emlen. Thank you so much for doing this.”

· Free tickets and a bus to see “Having Our Say” at the Philadelphia Theater Company (PTC) was a highlight. Thank you PTC for your partnership with MAAG! Most of the students had never been to see a live play. They were all dressed up and on their best behavior. They made us all proud! And at the end of the performance they all got to see MAAGs art exhibition in the gallery. Even better, one child texted her Mom during the entire show — it was her first time ever going to a live performance in a theatre. And Mom said, for her daughter’s birthday, they were next going to see “Wicked,” and we were sworn to secrecy!

For most of these kids, it was their first time for live theatre. And they turned it out! Proud of YOU!

· Art At City Hall student showcase: A special invitation from the Philadelphia Office of Arts and Culture to showcase the work of the children from the COP Mural Project where art is making a difference in the community. Exhibition runs from August 7 – Sept. 29 with the reception on Wed., Sept. 27 in Rm 116.

· Young artists selling their work: We never saw it coming. Framed original artwork, ready to go to City Hall, were all over the COP artroom. Two students sold their work. So, next year, part of the program will involve framing all artwork, creating their own artists bio’s, with sale prices attached. In short, curating and selling their work!

So, you may ask, what’s next? We can barely contain ourselves we are just that excited. As children chase the teachers and principal at Emlen to be in Phase 2 starting this September, we proudly announce we are adding a literacy component. You will be hearing more about the Community of Pride Mural and Literacy Project.

Just know this. Maybe, just maybe, you may be able to attend Emlen’s “Welcome Back to School” night on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 5:15 pm. Mt Airy Art Garage will be launching Phase 2 and featuring Arielle Baril (now 14 years old) who will be telling her story and singing for the entire school. Don’t know who she is? Well, check this out, and believe that you WILL want to be at Emlen on that night.

Stay tuned. There’s so much more going on. You won’t want to miss a thing.

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Never Gonna Give You Up! An 80’s Dance Party With Philadelphia’s Own DJ Robert Drake

Save the Date! Saturday, August 26 from 8 – 11 PM. Summit Presbyterian Church at 6757 Greene Street, Side Entrance (handicapped accessible). Tickets are now $20!

Do you love the nightlife? Do you love to boogie? Do you love the 80’s? Do you like to work up a dance sweat and then savor goodies and beverage from Night Kitchen, Earth, Bread & Brewery, High Point Cafe, Iron Hill Brewery, McMennamins, Acme, Giant, and more?

Well, turn around bright eyes! Join us for a wacky evening of big hairstyles, neon décor, and a celebration including the best music of the 80’s!

We’re throwing an 80’s dance party you’ll never forget hosted by legendary DJ Robert Drake — Peabody Award Winner, voted Philadelphia Magazine’s BEST DJ IN PHILLY, currently the Philly A-List’s Best Radio Personality!

This party kicks off Mt. Airy Art Garage’s fundraising campaign to finally pay our hardworking staff.

So walk like an Egyptian down to Summit Presbyterian Church at 6757 Greene Street on Saturday, August 26 from 8 – 11 PM. Join us for a total eclipse of the arts and dance the night away!

Tickets $20 at the door. Yes, it’s true, we lowered the price so no excuses! Best $20 time ever!

For more information call 215.242.5074.

And now for more about Robert Drake! Are we lucky or what!

Everything old is good again.

I began spinning the new wave sounds when they were NEW wave sounds, working in various underground clubs in Philadelphia during the gritty era of 1981-1990. From off-radar spots like The Love Club to commanding nights at Philly’s premier alternative hotspots The Kennel Club, Omni’s and a few special nights at Danceteria in NYC, the Rock of the 80s became my passion.

Professionally, I was General Manager and Co-Founder of Au Courant Newsmagazine, Philadelphia’s gay arts & culture paper, back in 1982.

In 1988, I began a wonderful journey at WXPN-FM, where I have worn dozens of various hats over the past 28 years — including producing Kids Corner, America’s longest-running daily radio show for kids. In 1995, I took over the reigns of XPN’s gay programming and have hosted Q’zine, a queer audio magazine, ever since.

Since 2003, I’ve shaped Philly’s nightlife scene by introducing the genre to a whole new generation of ears with my monthly Sex Dwarf party every second Friday at Club Mousai to hosting Land Of The Lost, a 4-hour block of the Rock of the 80s on WXPN, to bringing authentic 80s bands back to the city for live concerts. It’s all about the music!

And all that love and all that work have rewards: I was named “Best DJ in Philadelphia” and Sex Dwarf the “Best Dance Party in Philly” by the readers of the Philadelphia City Paper. In the August 2014 issue of Philadelphia Magazine I was named BEST DJ IN PHILLY!

Additionally, I’ve had the honor to share my unique new wave mix live as the opening act for such icons as The Psychedelic Furs, Gang Of Four, The B-52s, The Go-Go’s, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, The Buzzcocks, Berlin, Peter Murphy and A Flock Of Seagulls!

A recent highlight was being named BEST RADIO PERSONALITY IN PHILADELPHIA for 2016 by Philly A-List! But the best reward continues to be the fact that I am blessed to have a life where I enjoy what I do and am surrounded by people who enjoy it just as much!

~ Robert! djrobertdrake.com

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Fabric Collage Workshop — Your Time to Shine!

Fabric Collage Workshop  No-Sew, Fusible Web Applique  Saturday, June 3rd, 1 – 4 pm, 6700 Germantown Ave., Lower Level  Class Fee $40

These gorgeous fabric collages look stunning when framed in shadow boxes, and make excellent wall hangings. Make one for yourself or as a handmade gift which will charm anyone who receives it. They are made from beautiful 100% cotton batiks, then matted and framed. In 3 hours you can leave the class with a fully- framed work of art.

Materials: You can bring your own collection of fusible web-prepared fabric, or you can purchase a fabric kit of first-quality batik fabrics. You will need a 8.5” x 10.5” background fabric, and coordinating fabrics for the vase and flowers. Fabric kits will be available for $10. Students must bring good scissors and inspiration.

Students who purchase fabric kits will be given the base fabric and the vase and flower fabrics for this no-sew project. They will create their own flower vase collages. Then they will have the option of purchasing a $10 8” x 10” shadow box frame for immediate finishing of their project. Students will be given detailed instructions so they can create more projects on their own. Students will receive a materials list and details upon registration.

Karoline Wallace: A Mt. Airy resident and MAAG member, Karoline is an art quilt maker with 18 years experience. She has taught fabric collage and quilt classes for the past 7 years.

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Kids Make Amazing Murals Too! Community of Pride Project Gets Ready For Mural Dedications

Friday, June 2 at 10 am, Eleanor C. Emlen School, 6501 Chew Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119

The Mt. Airy Art Garage (MAAG) has spent the last school year as artists in residence at Henry Houston and Eleanor C. Emlen public schools asking participating children in the Community of Pride (COP) Mural Project “What Makes You Proud?” Our goal has been to deepen a sense of community spirit and pride, using art as a means of communication among the children. It is with great pride and pleasure that we invite you to join us as we dedicate these murals, and celebrate the personally expressive imagery, all created by the children, that have been incorporated into the large scale on site murals.

Main mural dedication:

Eleanor Emlen School, Friday, June 2 @ 10 am, guests meet in Conference Room 110

6501 Chew Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119

We plan to celebrate with the entire Emlen school at an auditorium celebration. Plus you’ll then get be part of the actual mural dedication including framed drawings by participating student artists. Individual drawings from both schools will then move on to City Hall for a summer exhibition.

There will also be a smaller scale mural dedication at Houston School, Wed., May 31 @ 11 am, 7300 Rural Lane, Phila., PA 19119. Please check at the entrance for the meeting room.

We have built a culture of goodwill that cuts across political or cultural differences and even embraces them. This project is about enriching children’s lives, offering inclusive opportunities and sharing the positive rewards of making art together. We sincerely hope you can join us a we honor these amazing kids. Admission for the exhibition and opening is free.

We thank everyone who has donated and supported us  for Phase 1 of the COP Project. We especially appreciate all the ongoing support we have received from East Mt. Airy Neighbors Community Fund (Philadelphia Foundation) — we couldn’t have done it without you! Stay tuned for Phase 2 as we introduce the Community of Pride Art & Literacy Project.

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Jazz On The Sidewalk…A Great Way to Spend A Summer Day

Saturday, June 17 (rain date June 24) from 3 till 6 pm

What happens when you bring live jazz, fine art, and great food to the “South Side” of Mt. Airy? Why you get Jazz On The Sidewalk where area businesses are turning it out to greet you on the 6600 – 6700 Blocks of Germantown Ave.

For Jazz on the Sidewalk, MAAG is featuring local fiber artist Denise Benrahu. Check out her glorious jazz pillows!

On Saturday, June 17 (rain date June 24) from 3 till 6 pm expect a host of activities. Just to give you flavor of what’s happening, you’ll hear live jazz in front of the Mt. Airy Art Garage (MAAG) brought to you by Tank Keitt and friends from Passage Jazz Band. Are you an emerging or professional artist that wants to join in?  Then “bring your ax baby!” Looking for original fine art and handcraft? You’ll find MAAG members, all local artists, both outdoors on the block and and indoors in our fine art and handcraft gallery.

Our favorite local eateries Little Jimmie’s Bakery and Café and Malelani will turn it out with delicious, mouthwatering foods. Expect more businesses to join us! Plus there’s live music to be had at Malelani too. And, you didn’t hear if from me, but there’s going to be mouth-watering barbecue to lure your senses. So why not dive into all our local businesses have to offer and stroll down the avenue on a beautiful summer Juneteenth day!

If you’ve run your errands, gone to the gym, gone to the Juneteenth festival, or just plain newly moved into the neighborhood, what better time to stop by the 6600 – 6700 blocks of Germantown Ave. before your Saturday night begins. It’s time to take your late afternoon stroll on the South Side of Mt. Airy. You’ll be glad you did, and you’ll be supporting your local businesses as well.

For more information, call 215.242.5074 or info@mtairyartgarage.org.

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As the Community of Pride project forges ahead, kids at Emlen and Houston schools are having the best of times visiting art exhibitions, seeing live theater, and creating their original murals! We wanted to share some of these special moments with you. Enjoy!

Interested in volunteering in April (weekdays, during the day) for community paint days at the schools to give those murals their finishing touches? You don’t have to be an artist to help! And we’d love you to join us. Contact us at info@mtairyartgarage.org or call Arleen Olshan at 267.240.3302.

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It’s A New Era For the Mt. Airy Art Garage

Community and creativity are truly an antidote to these challenging times. We, at the Mt. Airy Art Garage (MAAG), have had our own unique challenges. We’ve done some grieving, some assessing, some growing. We’ve started a strategic plan (thank you Dragonfly Partners!). We’ve also been quietly busy — new partnerships such as those with Philadelphia Theatre Company for “Having Our Say.” (Stay tuned as that partnership deepens.) We especially want you to know we are alive and well, we are moving forward, you’ll be hearing a lot more from us, and we want to hear from you.

Our Community of Pride Mural Project is forging ahead as children at both Houston and Emlen Schools are now working on their murals which explore the question “What Makes You Proud?” As this project continues, the next phase will add a literacy component!

Plus, our new flagship location and display space at 6622 Germantown Ave. (right next to Little Jimmie’s Bake Shop), is a joy to behold! Filled with unique handcrafts and fine art, all work is original and created by local artists. Some 30 artists, in a myriad of mediums, are showing and offering their goods for sale. Do come and visit.

We especially want to thank some key partners who have helped us make it through this difficult transition:

· The City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Cultural Fund — your support for the last two years has allowed us the breathing room we so badly needed. We are grateful.

· Mt. Airy USA (MAUSA)— we’re so proud to have you as a partner. When we did not know what our next steps would be this past August, MAUSA stepped up. You have provided us with meeting and event space at the Hub; you provided our flagship location where we now reside; and a future home. We urge all our supporters to “show your love” by attending their upcoming fundraiser on Sat., April 1. As MAAG supporters you’ll even get a 50% discount. Just hit the link directly below and make sure you use the promo code MAAG!

We at MAAG intend to keep the momentum going. We want you to know we are back and moving forward with our eyes planted firmly on the future.

So come on by. Ask questions. Share your ideas. Stay tuned for community meetings we host. Grow your creative soul with us. We are back.