I’m sorry I’ve been AWOL for so long – teaching and coaching take up just about all of my waking/thinking hours these days – but I have not forgotten you, Pottstown and its champions, and will continue to promote your fun, fascinating, and hard-won triumphs whenever possible! The following info comes from press releases from these organizations.

Whether you want to browse recycled and upcycled art at ArtFusion 19464, or take in a new, classic American drama – August: Osage County – at Steel River Playhouse, there’s plenty to keep your right brain busy this weekend.

First, there will be an opening reception at ArtFusion from 6-8 pm TONIGHT, Friday, March 21st, as they open their show, ReSourced, which helps prove true the old adage that “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” Local artists have created work from recycled, upcycled and salvaged items. Visitors to ArtFusion will be delighted by the wide range of pieces on display, from functional clothing to gorgeous free-standing sculptures.

Each visitor will also have a chance to contribute to a fun public art project. Throughout the show, which runs from March 21 through May 3, visitors will have a chance to add to a large scale, recycled weaving project. The weaving will be created from plastic bags, paper, VCR tapes, and more. The piece can be seen as it grows in the front window of the ArtFusion gallery.

Participating artists are: Alita Abruzzzese, Lisbeth Bucci, Robyn Burckhardt, Tom Carroll, Arline Christ, Maggie Creshkoff, James M. Enders, Juanita A. Gaspari, Robert Hakun, Heidi Hammel, Joe Hoover, Millie Lea, Dora Siemel, Carla Schaeffer, Teresa Shields, Donna Steck-McMahon, and Julie Tonnessen.

There will be an opening reception for ReSourced on Friday, March 21 from 6-8pm. All receptions are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. A $100 Best in Show prize, sponsored by the NARI-BIE Green Team, will be presented at 6:30pm.

In conjunction with this show, ArtFusion is offering free field trips to local schools. Over 550 children have currently signed up for a fun, interactive experience. Students will learn about and discuss recycling, why it is important to the future of our planet, and how artists create with objects other people throw away. Each student will also create their own unique piece of recycled art. This show will help teach local children the importance of caring for our planet and will inspire them to look at the world–and how people create art–in a whole new way.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.

Now, maybe you want to drop in at ArtFusion right at 6 and then cross the street to Steel River for the 7 pm showing of August: Osage County.  IT IS IN ITS FINAL WEEKEND!! (Friday and Saturday at 7 pm; Sunday at 3 pm)

It has gotten some great reviews (see The Mercury’s review here.) This play swept the 2008 awards season, winning the Pulitzer plus all the “Best Play” awards –  the Tonys (5 in all), Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and New York Drama Critic’s Circle awards. It’s about wild and wacky family dynamics, which make it perfect for a grown-up night out, book clubs, service organizations – you get the idea (not for young kids).

Please note: It’s a long play so it’s got an early curtain for the evening performances (7 pm), but it’s fast-paced and engrossing. There are two intermissions so there’s plenty of time to kick back with a glass of wine or beer – especially appropriate for this play! And you’re welcome to bring your refreshments into the audience seating area. 

To order your tickets online: go here.

Steel River Playhouse

245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464

610.970.1199; www.steelriver.org

 

 Pulitzer Prize-winning New American Classic

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (comedy-drama)

Thursdays – Sundays

March 13^th – 23^rd

Comedy-Drama by Tracy Letts

Directed by Harland Meltzer

Contains Mature Themes, Sexual Content, and Adult Language