Peter Frantz has been serving as our Program Manager for nearly a year and a half now. Due to our inability to hold performances in the Sanctuary and hold other revenue generating events due to COVID-19, just like most other arts organizations, our finances are very tight. Peter graciously volunteered to change his status with ArtsAltoona, from paid staff member to a consultant who will assist us with grant writing and donor/sponsor solicitation. We are very grateful to Peter for his hard work and dedication to the organization. He has helped to solidify our standing in the community during his tenure. Peter, as an artist himself, has been very creative in helping us develop our After School Arts Programs (ASAP), especially with his work with the Altoona Area School District Foundation, who became a significant funder of ASAP over the past year. We will miss working with Peter on a regular, daily basis, but are very glad that he will remain engaged with us in a different way. Thank you so much Peter for all that you have done for ArtsAltoona!
Another change is that Claudia Montero and Leah Klevan have completed their terms as AmeriCorps members. We are very excited that Leah is going to serve another year with us as an AmeriCorps member, starting on August 20. Leah has really stepped up to make herself a valuable member of our Leadership Team. She has excellent communication skills and she is willing to speak up when she has an idea or information to share. We appreciate that very much. Leah has also been serving as the second adult in the ASAP classes, assisting the artist/teacher. I am certain that she is a wonderful young role model for the students in the class. We are very fortunate that we “adopted” her when we built our relationship with the Simpson-Temple United Parish – or did she “adopt” us? Either way we win! Thanks Leah!
Claudia will not be participating in another term as an AmeriCorps member, but we are thrilled that she is going to stay engaged with us, continuing to serve as our Events Coordinator on a volunteer basis. Claudia is a very creative individual and she brings a great deal of knowledge, experience and dedication to the table. We have asked her to serve as a board member and to continue as a member of the Leadership Team. She is leading the development of our upcoming Street Eats events, modeled after her initial success with the New Kids on the Block pARTy. She is already refining the plans to make them even more family friendly and fun. Mark your calendars for Street Eats with a Side of Art on August 26 and September 23 and plan to come join in the fun. Thank you Claudia for what you have done already and what all you will be doing in the future!
Thank You, Thank You!
I am behind in thanking people for some events we have held at the ArtsAltoona Center. This week I want to thank everyone who was involved with the Chalk Talk Pop Up event on June 24. This was the brainstorm of our Marketing Chair, Candance Holliday. Candy was responsible for producing events of many kinds for the past several years while working for the Altoona Mirror, so she comes to us as very skilled, creative and enthusiastic volunteer. We are so pleased to have her as part of our team.
Anthony Pater
The chalk art event was the first endeavor to let the community know that we are here and we are about promoting all kinds of arts in our new facilities and in the area. Candy reached out to a talented young artist, Anthony Pater, to come and demonstrate his skills with chalk. The result is his creation of a loop creature with no beginning or end. Anthony invited his friend, Lydia Dimov-Gottshall, to participate also. She created an awesome dragon and a couple smaller pieces. Some families, including our board member, Tiffany Stuckey, came by so their kids could join in the fun. Candy and Claudia both worked to engage people who came to participate, including a teenager, Kevin, from the neighborhood who was going by on his bike and came over to do some chalk art, too. Doug’s DAWGS was there for the event and helped with promotion by doing a Facebook Live, walking around, interviewing me and showing the art. Thanks to all who participated – more events like this will be popping up in the future – be sure to watch our Facebook page to be in the know!
It’s Not too Late!
You still have a little time to register and participate in our Fluid Art/Paint Pour Party on next Tuesday, August 11 from 6 to 8pm in the Banquet Hall (basement of the Education Building) at the ArtsAltoona Center. We will receive instruction from Paint Party by Sarah and each take hone some original art! Go to our website artsaltoona.org to register and pay online.
You can still participate in the Thursday morning Yoga on the Lawn sessions by Bloom Yoga and Wellness. Check the event listings on our ArtsAltoona Facebook page for all of the details and come join us to start your day!
Keep Supporting the Arts,
Donna