There are a couple of book talks/signings coming up in the next week for the Legendary Locals of Pottstown book, co-authored by photographer Ed Berger and me. Come out to meet some Legendary Locals, learn more about the history of Pottstown through its legends, and how we put this book together. BOOKS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ($21.99) Look forward to seeing you!
The first event is at the Pottstown Regional Public Library at 500 E. High Street this Sunday, from 1-3 pm. The library is opening just for us!
Then, next Wednesday, November 6th at 7 pm, there is a talk/signing at the Schuylkill River Greenway Association at 140 College Drive in Pottstown. This is a really cool former PECO substation that is used by the Greenway and owned by Montgomery County Community College, and they’ve got a fabulous permanent exhibit about the history of the Schuylkill River. You can learn about Pottstown’s people and the river all in one fell swoop.
Here’s an announcement from Montgomery County Community College. They have a lovely art gallery at their West Campus in Pottstown. Check it out this fall!
Montgomery County Community College will host the Tenth Annual Scenes of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area Art Show, Aug. 28-Oct. 18, at the Fine Arts Gallery, North Hall, 16 High Street, Pottstown.
Sponsored by the Schuylkill River National & State Heritage Area, the art show features 83 original pieces of artwork that highlights the beautiful and unique qualities of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area.
Philadelphia artist Susannah Hart Thomer won Best of Show for her watercolor, “Escalation,” which depicts the spiral staircase located outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art leading to the Schuylkill River.
Second place went to Jonathan Bond, Kempton, Berks County, for his painting, “Lutz Tannery,” and third place went to Teresa McWilliams Farina, Royersford, for her pastel, “Pennypacker Mills Tranquility.” The Staff Choice Award went to Lori Quinque-Quinn, Perkiomenville, for her watercolor painting, “The Coyle Farm Winter Sheep.”
Honorable mentions were awarded to Walt Hug, Birdsboro, for his photograph, “Midnight at Memorial Hall,” and Arnold Winkler, Blue Bell, for his digital composite, “Valley Forge.”
This year’s show was juried by Terry Newman, owner of Newman Galleries in Philadelphia. He spent several hours examining the 107 entries before making his selections.
The hours for the MCCC gallery are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed weekends. For more information contact the SRHA at 484-945-0200 or the MCCC Galleries Director Holly Cairns at 215-619-7349 or hcairns@mc3.edu.
You can help support the arts and art education programs at Montgomery County Community College by becoming a Friend of The Galleries. Donations are tax deductible. For more information, contact the College Foundation at 215-641-6535. Friend and follow MCCC’s arts on facebook.com/DestinationArts.
The Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area, managed by the non-profit Schuylkill River Greenway Association, uses conservation, education, recreation, cultural and historic preservation and tourism as tools for community revitalization and economic development. For more information about the SRHA visit www.schuylkillriver.org.
There’s still time to catch this unusual exhibit of local artists at MCCC. Thanks to Alana Mauger for passing this on…
Montgomery County Community College continues to host “Iron and its Accomplices,” an art exhibition featuring metal artist Paul Beatty of Hemlock Forge and several area artists. The show runs through July 25th at the West Campus Fine Arts Gallery, North Hall, 16 High Street, Pottstown.
“Sun and Moon” metal sculpture by Paul Beatty. Photo courtesy of MCCC.
Metal artist Paul Beatty owns Hemlock Forge in nearby Barto, Pa., and specializes in copper, steel and sheet metal. He initially studied traditional blacksmithing under blacksmith Ed Land of Huffs Church, Berks County. He later served an apprenticeship with renowned metal artist Greg Leavitt of Earl Township, Berks County.
Beatty’s masterful skills are reminiscent of a time when craftsmen poured their hearts and souls into the hard labor of their wares. He specializes in commissions of decorative and functional art, including arbors, fences, armillaries and sculptures, and all his work is hand-forged and custom-made. Beatty has been a metalsmith for more than 14 years and is a member of the Pennsylvania Artists Blacksmith Association and the Artist Blacksmith’s Association of North America.
Several local artists have joined Beatty for the exhibit, including photographer Tammy Snyder of East Greenville; mosaic artist Amy Bruckner of Downingtown; stain glass artist Marlys Thomas of Harleysville; wood sculptor Mark Hughes of Barto; metal artist Ed Land of Huffs Church; and Damascus steel artist Robert Eggerling of Mertztown.
Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed weekends.
For more information about the exhibition, contact Montgomery County Community College Galleries Director Holly Cairns at 215-619-7349 or hcairns@mc3.edu.
Help support the arts and art education programs at Montgomery County Community College by becoming a Friend of The Galleries. Donations are tax deductible. For more information, contact the College Foundation at 215-641-6535. Follow us at facebook.com/DestinationArts.
Montgomery County Community College is proud to be designated as an Achieving the Dream Leader College for its commitment to student access and success.
Montgomery County Community College’s University Center will hold an Open House on Thursday, June 20 from 6-8 p.m. at 95 S. Hanover St., Pottstown.
First introduced in 2006, MCCC’s University Center framework offers an entrepreneurial approach to expanding higher education opportunities for residents of Montgomery County and surrounding areas.Through partnerships with select four-year institutions, students can choose from 10 bachelor’s degrees, five master’s degrees, one graduate certificate, two doctorates and six professional development certificates.
Representatives from MCCC’s University Center partners will be available to share information and discuss educational pathways during the open house. Partners include Albright College, which offers programs at MCCC’s campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown; Immaculata University, which offers a Doctor of Education program at MCCC’s Central Campus in Blue Bell; and Alvernia University, Chestnut Hill College, Drexel University, Temple University and Villanova University, which offer programs at MCCC’s West Campus in Pottstown.
To learn more about MCCC’s University Center initiative and to see the specific programs offered by each institution, visitmc3.edu/academics/university-center.aspx.
Montgomery County Community College’s Alumni Association Board of Directors is now accepting nominations for distinguished alumni to be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame.
Each year, several outstanding individuals are nominated and selected for the Hall of Fame from the more than 55,000 College alumni. The Hall of Fame inductees represent the best and the brightest who have made notable, positive differences in their careers and communities.
Nominations for 2013 are being accepted until Feb. 28. Nomination letters must include the name of the candidate, years of attendance, graduation year, reasons for nomination, achievements or awards, volunteer service, as well as any press clippings or third-party recognition. Alumni may nominate themselves.
Nominations may submitted via email toalumni@mc3.edu or mailed to Montgomery County Community College Alumni Office, East House, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422.
Selected nominees will be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame during a celebratory program on Oct. 11, 2013, and their names will be added to the list of Hall of Fame honorees on display at the Science Center Theater at Central Campus in Blue Bell.
This past Monday night Montgomery County Commissioners and the higher-ups in several County agencies were on hand at Montgomery County Community College in Pottstown to talk about what they’ve done since taking office and to answer questions and hear residents’ concerns.
Evan Brandt’s article in yesterday’s Mercury provides a nice summary. Public employee pensions, the state of Route 422, the potential for gerrymandering, the ongoing challenges of revitalization, the concentration of social services and the people they serve, and the effects of the concentration of housing vouchers in Pottstown were all up for discussion. The Commissioners were well-prepared and promised to provide follow-up information to numerous citizens.
One of the brightest moments of the meeting came when Shanae Roberts, the President of the West Campus student body announced the figures for the amount of community service provided by the College over the past four years. It was encouraging to see a young person at the meeting, participating in the give-and-take of democracy! Ms. Roberts reported the following:
Between 2008-2012, MCCC has reached out to the community with 3,695 volunteers putting in more than 33,700 hours with 117 partnering opportunities. This amounted to over $100,529 in monetary donations. In 2012 the College had the highest number of volunteers to date with over 918 volunteers contributing 15,500 hours of service to 28 partner organizations, including the Norristown Police Athletic League, Olivet Boys and Girls Club, Miller Keystone & American Red Cross Blood Drives, and Project Linues. An estimated $38,300 in monetary donations was raised.
Not only is the West Campus proving to be an important revitalization partner as it rehabilitates and re-uses historic buildings in town, but there is also a strong culture of developing and sustaining connections in the community. Thanks to MCCC for hosting this meeting, which had a very strong turnout, perhaps an indication of a new core constituency that believes in a better Pottstown and is impatient for change.
Reserve your table now for this flea market fundraiser!
Montgomery County Community College Radiography students will host their semi-annual Flea Market on the Waterfront fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the parking lot at the Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center, 140 College Drive, Pottstown.The rain date is Sunday, Oct. 21.
The community is invited to participate and attend. Vendor spaces can be reserved for $15 per parking space, with multi-space discounts available. Set-up begins at 7:30 a.m., and vendors must supply their own tables. Reservations are available on a first come, first served basis. For information, call 610-718-1815.
Event proceeds will benefit MCCC’s Radiography Club and will enable Radiography students to attend the annual Atlanta Society of Radiologic Technologists National Student/Educators Conference.
Radiography is a 70-credit, Associate in Applied Science degree program offered at Montgomery County Community College. Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging procedures including x-ray, CT scan, MRI, and mammography to assist in the diagnosis of illness.
For more information about the College’s Radiography program, visitwww.mc3.edu/academics.
In partnership with the Montgomery County Sexual Assault Task Force, Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) will screen “Speak Out and Stand Up,” a 25-minute video and program about the serious topic of sexual assault. A discussion panel, comprised of law enforcement, probation, parole and health and victim advocates, will follow the video.
The program will take place this Thursday, Oct. 11 from 12:45-2 p.m. at MCCC’s West Campus, South Hall Community Room, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. The program is free and open to the public.
Hosted by “Twilight” actress Kristen Stewart, “Speak Out and Stand Up” will raise dialogue about sexual assault as a community issue. The docudrama includes diverse student voices and experts in the field of sexual assault. Dramatized scenes highlight the impact of sexual assault on the victim, as well as the important roles of friends and bystanders.
The program is part of a collaborative effort among the following organizations: Montgomery County Adult Probation and Parole Department, Montgomery County Juvenile Probation Department, Pottstown and Whitpain Township Police departments, Victim Services of Montgomery County, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Resources for Human Development, Magellan Health Services, and Montgomery County Community College.
For more information, call MCCC’s Director of Health & Wellness at 215-641-6606 or Office of Public Safety at 215-641-6604.
After a year-long effort to gather information, opinions and ideas about arts and culture in Montgomery County, Creative MontCo will unveil its 10-year plan during a launch party on Sept. 13 in the Parkhouse Hall Atrium at Montgomery County Community College’s Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell.
The celebration begins with networking from 4-4:30 p.m., followed by a presentation from 4:30-5:15 p.m. and a reception from 5:15-6 p.m. Artists, creative entrepreneurs, civic leaders, government officials and anyone who lives or works in Montgomery County is welcome to attend. To RSVP, visit http://creativemontco.eventbrite.com or call 610-313-9836.
Supported in part by a major grant from the William Penn Foundation, along with support from the Montgomery County Foundation, Creative MontCo is based on the belief that culture and creativity are among a community’s most powerful assets. The initiative, chaired by MCCC President Dr. Karen A. Stout, looks to leverage the County’s cultural and creative resources to enhance economic development through implementation of a 10-year comprehensive plan.
“Creative MontCo reflects the growing trend to integrate cultural and economic development,” said Dr. Stout. “By recognizing the link between non-profit and for-profit creative activity and combining them under the creative sector umbrella, we acknowledge their common interests and often-overlooked role within regional economies.”
To date, more than 1,900 individuals representing all 62 municipalities in Montgomery County have participated in the initiative through a series of town hall meetings, community conversations, survey responses, interviews and discussion groups, and social media and website feedback.
For more information about CreativeMontCo and to learn how to get involved, visit www.creativemontco.org.
As with the prior two posts, this comes to us via the prolific Alana Mauger, Communications Director for Montgomery County Community College.
Montgomery County Community College will host the Ninth Annual Scenes of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area Art Show from Aug. 29 through Oct. 19 at the West Campus Art Gallery, North Hall, 16 High St., Pottstown.
An opening reception will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 19, from 5-7 p.m., and will include refreshments and live music. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.
Sponsored by the Schuylkill River National & State Heritage Area, the art show features 76 original pieces of artwork done in a variety of styles and media. The artwork highlights the beauty and unique aspects of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area—a 1.2 million-acre area that includes the Schuylkill River watershed within Schuylkill, Berks, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
Dawn at Valley Forge by Catherine Grygiel
Artist Catherine Grygiel, Souderton, won Best of Show for her pastel “Dawn at Valley Forge.”She will receive $300 and an award of distinction valued at $1,000 from North Penn Art, Lansdale, for the creation of giclee prints of her work.
Second place with a $200 prize went to Jonathan Bond, Kempton, Berks County, for his oil on wood panel, “Carousel,” and third place with a $100 prize went to Materese Roche, Buckingham, Bucks County, for her oil on canvas, “Sunset Over the Grasslands.”
Four honorable mentions were awarded to: Rich Sassaman for his acrylic, “High School Runner;” Sherry McVickar for her oil, “English Style Schuylkill River Barn;” Lori Quinque-Quinn for the oil painting “Hunsberger’s Used Cars;” and David W. Thomas for his silver gel photograph “Foundation.”
This year’s juror, Ross L. Mitchell, executive director of the Violette de Mazia Foundation, Wayne, selected the winning entries.
“It was a pleasure judging the Schuylkill River Heritage Area Art Show this year,” said Mitchell, who started his career as a painter and studied at the Barnes Foundation with Violette de Mazia. “The final selections were all of high quality and portrayed a wonderful cross-section of views of the diversity of the Schuylkill River area. Artists reinterpret our surrounding environment and let us see it anew through their unique and individual lens.”
Mitchell previously served as the Gallery Director at the Barnes Foundation in Merion Station where he led the $13 million renovation of the gallery. He was also Senior Associate for Viart Corporation, a Manhattan based art-consulting firm. Currently, he is the president of the Philadelphia Sketch Club, serves as a commissioner on the Lower Merion Historical Commission and as a board member of the Lower Merion Historical Society.
Most works are available for sale, and a portion of all proceeds benefits the Schuylkill River Heritage Area.
Gallery hours are:Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For more information contact, the SRHA at 484-945-0200 or MCCC Galleries Director Holly Cairns at 215-619-7349, hcairns@mc3.edu.
The Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area, managed by the non-profit Schuylkill River Greenway Association, uses conservation, education, recreation, cultural and historic preservation and tourism as tools for community revitalization and economic development. For more information about the SRHA visit www.schuylkillriver.org.
JOIN US FOR A BOOK TALK AND SIGNING!
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