Stop-Motion Movie!

Matt Reed helped to facilitate this stop-motion experiment! Look for a full-fledged stop-motion movie coming soon...

A Walk through the Morris Arboretum

Today we defied the cloudy weather and visited the Morris Arboretum! We really enjoyed our walk through the beautiful gardens and seeing the signs of spring.

    Maggie laughing

    Jason, George, Marcos and Freddy hanging out with a frog

    Freddy

    George, Jason, Rasheed, Freddy, Marcos and Myron

Celebrating Earth Day with Awbury Arboretum and Art-Reach

Today a group of artists from the Cultural Arts Center visited the Awbury Arboretum to participate in an Earth Day event sponsored by Art-Reach, a great organization dedicated to increasing arts accessibility to people of all ages and abilities. We learned about invasive plant species and helped to weed the arboretum grounds of one particular offender, the garlic mustard plant, which is not native to the western hemisphere.

We also created journals, bugs, and clay leaves with help from representatives from the Main Line Art Center, enjoyed a picnic lunch, and went for a walk through the arboretum's beautiful grounds.


Starting out on our nature walk


Tom, Leroy, Diane and Linda bag up some garlic mustard plants


Matt Bryan from Art-Reach and Marcos


Mary and Myron


Tom, plus Madeline, David and Hector


Ramona and Myron


George and Tom work on decorating their journals


Myron and Madeline make bugs with a teacher from the Main Line Art Center


Myron with his completed journal


After doing some crafting, we walked through the Arboretum grounds. In this picture is Hector, Madeline, David and Ramona.


Marcos, George, Linda, Tom and Myron




Mary makes a wish for more beautiful spring days like today!

Everything Everywhere at B2

Work by Cultural Arts Center artists David Neisser and Ashley Townsend will be featured in Everything Everywhere, an exhibition at B2, 1500 East Passyunk Avenue, from April 13 through May 9, 2012. David explores the medium of watercolor through abstract paintings that reference the patterns and rhythms of nature. Ashley combines imagery from her everyday life and from mythology and fairy tales to create unique and at times cryptic (but always playful) narratives.

The opening reception for this exhibition is Saturday, April 14 from 6 to 8 PM. Come out for a chance to meet Ashley and David while enjoying B2's delicious coffees, teas and vegan treats!


An Interpretation of Ratti's Christ Giving the Keys to Peter, from La Salle University Art Museum's Collection, by Ashley

Aurora Borealis Mandala by David Neisser

Free Movement Specialists Visit the Cultural Arts Center!

Today members of Free Movement Specialists, led by Joanna Quigley, led two dance workshops at the Cultural Arts Center focused on both exploring new dance techniques and improvisational movement. We learned new dance moves like "Hot Child in the City," "Easy Knees" and "The Blowhole."

You can view even more photos on the Flickr site of The Arc of Philadelphia and PDDC.

Photos from the Artist Exchange Opening Reception

An opening reception for Artist Exchange, a collaborative exhibition featuring artwork by the artists of the Cultural Arts Center and students from HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy, was enjoyed by nearly 200 guests on Wednesday, March 14. Thanks to everyone who came out to support the work of these amazing artists!

You can see more photos on the Flickr site of The Arc of Philadelphia/PDDC.


Siobhan and Sharay welcomed artist David and his sister Rose.


Charles and other guests enjoyed delicious food provided by À La Carte Catering.


Executive Director of HMS Diane Gallagher and Executive Director of The Arc of Philadelphia and PDDC Bruce Hulick


Director Emeritus of The Arc Board Eleanor Elkin enjoys a painting by Diane.


Mike S. with PDDC board member David Bright, Director of the Arc of Delaware County Frank Bartoli, and Arc of Philadelphia board members Ken Oakes and Eleanor Elkin


Bruce Hulick talks about the importance of supporting art programs for people with disabilities.



Cultural Arts Center teacher Emilia Brintnall discusses a trio of drawings by John.


Director of Intellectual disAbility Services Kathy Sykes, City Council member Jannie Blackwell, Associate Director of the Cultural Arts Center Linda Price, and Arc of Philadelphia board member Ken Oakes in front of the Yarn Monster, a collaborative sculpture


City Council Member Jannie Blackwell


The Jeff Torchon Jazz Trio treated guests to musical entertainment during the reception.


Chief Operating Officer of PDDC Laura Princiotta, Associate Director Linda Price and Cultural Arts program specialist Mary Hutchins give a warm greeting to artist Ashley and her mom.



HMS art teacher Eiko Fan and artist Rasheed


PDDC program specialist Milli Protheroe and Marketing Associate Director Patti Mecca with students from the University of Georgia, who volunteered at the event as part of a week of service at PDDC for their alternative spring break.

Free Movement Specialists, INC. at the Cultural Arts Center!

On Monday, March 26, dance company Free Movement Specialists, INC., featuring Cultural Arts Center dance teacher Joanna Quigley, will lead two workshops at PDDC focusing on exploring new dance techniques and audience interaction.

Free Movement Specialists, INC. is happy to guide you on a journey to being free - free of all technique, all pre-existing dance crazes and all worries of what you really look like when dancing in public.

The workshops are open to the public and are scheduled for 10-11:30 AM and 12:30 – 2:00 PM in the lower level Cultural Arts Center. PDDC is located at 2350 West Westmoreland Street in Philadelphia.

Anyone and everyone is invited to join us!