SIGN STUDIO IN SUMMER SESSION: the fresher the better!
Young artist-philanthropists visit the Weavers Way Food Co-op to see their digitally-reproduced artwork on the wall
YOUNG SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS BRING ART TO THE MARKET AND DELIVER ART SUPPLIES TO A LOCAL UNDER-RESOURCED PUBLIC SCHOOL
Artwork created by the Fresh Artists Sign Studio’s 18 young artist-philanthropists was installed in their first client’s small grocery store in June. The idea of Sign Studio is three-fold:
1) Completing the Fresh Artists Circle of Philanthropy: Creating the opportunity for children to see funds generated by their donation of art purchase and physically deliver art supplies to a school in need with the proceeds. The eighteen Sign Studio children will deliver art supplies to children in another under-resourced sister school.
2) Giving children a real-life experience of working with a small business client, demonstrating a practical use for their artmaking.
3) Connecting children’s artmaking with kids making healthy, locally-grown food choices. Each Sign Studio workshop featured healthy and unusual snacks to try such as candied ginger, unusual apples and locally-produced cheese.
The response to the infusion (invasion?!) of art was so positive by the staff and members of Weavers Way Co-op that more art was quickly commissioned. Two young members of the Fresh Artists Sign Studio volunteered to work this August to create artwork depicting seasonal fruits and veggies, so their large-scale artwork can be switched as the seasons change.
Starting with summer fruits, the kid’s next installation will feature fall apples, ripe garlic, collard greens, multi-colored bell peppers, indian corn and a big plump pumpkin. Early spring will bring new peas, spring onions, cherries and tender young lettuce.
- “Field research” becomes BLTs for dinner!
Volunteering to give up a few days of their summer vacation, these two Sign Studio girls picked some real veggies, then made mosaics of garden peas and a pumpkin to prepare for the seasonal switch of art. They would like their artwork to be used in the new national project of putting a salad bar in every public school!
ON PHILANTHROPY
Third grader, Molly M. said it best: “I love being a philanthropist…giving to other people makes you feel good inside…and it’s fun!”
Making fresh spring peas for the collection
Art teacher, Robyn Miller stops by to lend an hand
GENEROUS FOLKS WHO INVEST IN OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE
The original co-op location in Mt. Airy and the new Ogontz community store have both asked for the children’s artwork to brighten up their stores. Both the vibrant mosaic produce range and the Art in the Marketproject (see below) will be going into the renovated Ogontz store, opening September 7th. This large-scale artwork will be on display for 6 months and then changed. This project is sponsored by local businesses to showcase the artwork of local children. The kick-off sponsor of the Art in the Market Gallery is Valley Green Bank. The Sign Studio graphics pilot project is made possible by generous gifts from Carol Tyler and John Siemerowski of Electrical Wizardry, Inc.
DELIVERING THE GOODS!
Gifts to Fresh Artists Sign Studio and Art in the Market Projects will purchase art supplies for the young artist-philanthropists to deliver to a severely under-resourced public school in late September. For sponsorship opportunities in either the Chestnut Hill or Ogontz stores, please call us at 215-920-3317.
Fresh Artists founders, Roger and Barbara Chandler Allen with artwork by Roxborough High senior Cruz Gallardo-Bernal in the new Chestnut Hill Weavers Way store
