Fresh Artists Blog 

June 10, 2010, Philadelphia - A bumper-crop of 180 new Fresh Artists were honored at our annual “Sprout Fest” (annual celebration to honor our new, young artist-philanthropists) on June 10th in the beautiful Atrium of the Education Center. Young artists from kindergarten through 12th grade received thunderous applause from the more than 250 adults who came to congratulate them for their philanthropic gifts and extraordinary artistic talent.

This year’s Collection adds work from the partnership with the world-famous Barnes Foundation (mini-masterpieces “adopted” and interpreted by K-7 Fresh Artists kids).

Fresh Artists' 4th grade artwork coming soon to an installation on the Barnes Foundation construction fence

This year, we were proud honor Josh Giblin, Merchandising Manager of Weaver’s Way Food Co-op in Mt. Airy for helping us develop our new K-5 student-centric nonprofit design initiative called “Fresh Artists Sign Studio“, our new K-5 student-centric nonprofit design initiative.  The 18 children who made the vibrant paper mosaic pictographs of fruit, veggies and other healthy grocery store items were acknowledge by their “client” and the crowd assembled. All images are now available to our donors and will be seen throughout the little cooperative grocery store within the next couple of weeks.

Installation Fresh Artists work coming soon to the produce department of the new Chestnut Hill store of Weaver's Way Co-op.

The adoring crowd of parents, aunties, principals, corporate donors, art teachers and press were treated to the premiere dramatic reading of Fresh Artists first children’s book, Pablo, the Philly Philanthropist, written by Stephen Trueman with founder Barbara Chandler Allen. The book was illustrated by Gardner Allen and art directed by Roger Allen, Fresh Artists Design Director. The cast of readers was headlined by the unsinkable sparkle-plenty Molly McQuoid (grade 3) reading the part of Pablo.  Molly is an accomplished actor, currently appearing in Carousel at Plays and Players Theater!  Stephen Trueman, author, narrated. This wonderful children’s book can be read on our website by clicking the Pablo button on the front page.

Molly McQuoid and Steve Trueman reading "Pablo"

A cast of Fresh Artists community champions and volunteers played roles in the dramatic reading of Pablo, with Fresh Artists board member Nancy Wolff (above),playing Ms. Clarke, art teacher Robyn Miller, playing Pablo’s beloved art teacher and Ludy Soderman (head of the School District’s Office of Translation) as Pablo’s Tia Carla. Ludy personally translated “Pablo” into Spanish for us.  Jason James, Quincy Ellis and Luis Hernandez also did a terrific job reading parts.

Cheering the children on was Philadelphia School Reform Commissioner Johnny Irizarry, who also spoke directly to the children about staying true to their creative natures. Mr. Irizarry, himself an artist, spoke about how painting has enriched his life over the years. Head of the District’s Department of Creative & Performing Art, Dennis Creedon, also had inspiring words for the children.

Philadelphia School Reform Commissioner Johnny Irizarry spoke passionately to the children

An inscribed first edition of “Pablo” was given to every new Fresh Artist, as well as to their art teachers.  The kids kept author Trueman (below) autographing their copies for over an hour!  We are grateful to Jim Pinheiro of Pearl Pressman Liberty (PPL) Communications Group who helped with the printing of Pablo. PPL has filled their new headquarters/plant near the airport with Fresh Artists artwork.

Publication of the new book ”Pablo, the Philly Philanthropist“ was made possible by generous gifts from Barbara and Isaac Clothier in memory of their daughter, Melinda Clothier Biddle and Elizabeth Beatty, by C. Gloria Akers in honor of Delta Sigma Theta, and by Health Partners Foundation. The new book is available for a donation of $25 plus $5 postage by sending a check to Fresh Artists, P.O. Box 44, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444.  It will be available on our website as soon as we can get an e-commerce capability on the site! Any web developers out there who would like to make this happen for Fresh Artists, please let us know!

Pablo donors meet: Gloria Akers greets Barbara and Quartie Clothier

Each young artist-philanthropist went home with a 2010 limited edition t-shirt with their artwork on it and a framed “certificate of extraordinary artistic and philanthropic achievement” designed for us by well-known author David Macaulay, Advisory Board member and long-time Fresh Artists champion.

Each young artist-philanthropist wore the special “front stage pass” lanyard emblazoned with a full color reproduction of their donated artwork, so that all guests would be sure to talk with the youngsters about the art they donated.

NEWS FLASH! Within 24 hours of being inducted into Fresh Artists, the artwork (shown below) of kindergartener Rovic Merginio (shown above discussing his artwork with founder Barbara Allen) was chosen to be installed in the front hall of Drexel University’s Goodwin College of Professional Studies!

Kindergarten artist-philanthropist Rovic Merginio's artwork

This year, an new tradition was inaugurated: the gift of two little art kits, each containing a set of 12 professional oil pastels and a sketchbook, one for each of the Fresh Artists to keep for themselves, and one for each child to “pass along” and give to another child as a tangible, active symbol of the philanthropy of children. This idea came from Meredith Allen Wiggins, the editor of “Pablo“.  Art supplies were generously given by the Fresh Artists Business Advisory Council led by Bob Reid (Elevate Architects + Collaborators) and Heather Gibson (Sentry Art Advisors), as well as Merion Art and Repro (our art supply vendor), and Jan Van der Lande and Laura Kellner, of global design-leader, Kikkerland Design.

Fresh Artists  granted  its first Scholarship Award of art supplies  to Senior Fresh Artist Alexandra Valles. Alex will start her college career as an art major at Penn State Main Campus. Beginning in the 6^th grade, Alex donated four pieces of her artwork to Fresh Artists, and 15 corporations have chosen her artwork over the past three years. Alex’s philanthropy has made it possible to deliver art supplies to thousands of children in Philadelphia, and we are grateful for  her generosity. Senior Fresh Artist Alexandra Valles was given a scholarship of art supplies to start her college career as an art major at Penn State Main Campus. Alex has donated four pieces of her artwork, starting with piece she made as a sixth-grader at Greenerg Elementary!  Alex’s philanthropy has made it possible to deliver art supplies to thousands of children in Philadelphia as a result of 15 corporations choosing her artwork over the past three years. Fresh Artists wishes all its graduating seniors the very best as they go forth into the world.

We thank Chef John Gallagher, Head of the Pastry Department at the Restaurant School, whose students made and donated 600 special Fresh Artists signature sugar cookies in the shape of artist’s palettes in honor of the children, and to Jennifer Braxton, IKEA North America, for their delicious cookies.

At the end of the program everyone who had made and donated art, corporate and individual donors, parents and art teachers and all Fresh Artists’ staff and volunteers were asked to stand. That left very few sitting!

Barbara Allen asked everyone present to “Close your eyes…tight! No peeking,” and to imagine a gi-normous mountain of art supplies in front of them:

- 981 jars of tempera paint,

- 320 pounds of clay,

- 10,104 sticks of oil pastels,

- 25,016 sheets of heavy white drawing paper, and

- 5,800 juicy new colored markers

Barbara continued, reading from their newly published book, “Did I do this?” Pablo asked. “Yes,” Ms. Kelley says, “You did this!  Your art and your giving made a difference!” Barbara went on to say, “Now open your eyes. Everyone standing actually made this happen.  The children who made and donated their artwork… the teachers who guided these children in new techniques, skills and creativity… the parents who encouraged and praised them, putting their artwork on the fridge with big, fat magnets…and the generous corporate, foundation and individual donors who gave money to purchase the art supplies.”

Sprout Fest 2010 celebrates the powerful philanthropy of children, leading us all to be more generous change agents.  Thanks to all the generous children and all who support them as they go forth to make a substantive difference in the world!

(Special thanks to our talented photographers, Seth Shimkonis and Andrea Tucker, who generously donated their services for the Sprout Fest)

As part of our program of “Conversations with Children” about social activism, Fresh Artists has designed an innovative way for a creative group of kids to be philanthropic: a miniature graphic design business for 3rd-5th graders! Twelve kids at Hancock Elementary School are piloting the new Fresh Artists “Sign Studio” in their after-school Art Club and producing in-store signage for the new Weaver’s Way Food Cooperative opening in Chestnut Hill in June.

The young designers work with their “client”, Josh Giblin, graphic designer and Merchandising Manager for the 35-year-old food co-op, and make paper-mosaic signs that will be used to identify products within the new store.  Apples, bananas, tomatoes, peaches, peppers, garlic, collards, blueberries and toilet paper are some of the first pictographs to come out of Sign Studio.  The kids make art on cut up cardboard boxes pulled from the recycling dumpster at the Co-op. Each piece of art will be photographed at high resolution and the digital images will be available to co-ops, restaurants and cafes for a donation to Fresh Artists. A full line of more than 50 images will be available within the year.

The kids learn about graphic design as a profession, working with a client to achieve objectives, and have a weekly “crit”, just like in art school, where they show their on-going work to Josh, and get feedback from him on technique and design.

Hancock Elementary’s amazing art teacher, Robyn Miller, has perfected the art of teaching mosaics using cut-up hardware store paint sample chips to make brilliant artwork. She eagerly agreed to trial this pilot program in her after-school Art Club. Although Weaver’s Way is our first client, we have discovered hundreds of small, community-owned food cooperatives across the country providing a potentially lucrative niche market for the children’s artwork. We feel that the values of small member-owned grocery stores featuring healthy, locally-sourced food is an excellent fit with Fresh Artists’ values.  Conversations about healthy food are heard while the kids work and fresh fruit samples from the Co-op fuel the Studio’s work sessions. We, too, are “locally-grown” providing a vibrant alternative to traditional “corporate” artwork to businesses needing decoration for their facilities!

The young artist-philanthropists are donating their time, and the funds raised in placing their artwork in Weaver’s Way will be used to deliver many boxes full of much-needed art supplies to a severely under-resourced public school in Philadelphia.  The children will be honored guests at the opening of the new store, and will physically make the delivery of art supplies to the children in the selected school.            We welcome inquiries about using this unique artwork in your business.

Sign Studio with finished artwork

World Cafe Live threw a fundraising party on September 18th to celebrate their new look!  A well-known venue for the hottest contemporary and alternative music at 3025 Walnut Street in West Philadelphia, the World Cafe Live recently made a major commitment to Fresh Artists by filling its building with art made by kids from 4th grade up to senior high school. All the artwork was chosen by the staff!  Cooks, bartenders, wait and kitchen staff spent an evening pouring over more than 300 bright images of children’s art.  The staff made a donation to Fresh Artists from their tips and wages, to show their support for the creativity of the youngest members of our community.  

Rob Hyman of the iconic Philly rock bank, the Hooters, was honored for donating the use of their hit, “I’m Alive” to Fresh Artists as our anthem.  Live music was donated by Wyld Lyfe, the popular Philadelphia hip hop group, just back from playing the Apollo in Harlem! The event was also generously supported by our friends at Goodwin College of Professional Studies at Drexel University, which also has recently filled its halls with 22 pieces of Fresh Artists’ work! Two posters of Fresh Artists work were sponsored by Goodwin for this event.

Linda Heeg with her student, artist-philanthropist Angie Hinson, admiring her artwork at the World Cafe Live

Thanks to World Cafe Live founder and President, Hal Real, and Lisa Margraff, Food and Beverage Manager, who personally organized the event.  Our thanks also to Drexel executives Sue Turk, and Denise McLeod helped show guests around and told the Fresh Artists story.  Our high-energy volunteer crew of Nancy Wolff, Laura Bernardo, Steve Trueman, Michael Durkheimer, Hilary Merzbacher, Quincy Ellis, and Roger Allen greeted the more than 200 people to attend the fun event, enjoyed seeing the art, and supported a great mission….to deliver art supplies to our most under-resourced public schools!

Each level of the well-known music venue is decorated with large-scale, vibrant reproductions of kid’s artwork.

World Cafe founder and President, Hal Real, joined WXPN’s Station Manager, Roger LeMay in welcoming Fresh Artists founder and executive director, Barbara Chandler Allen, and the infusion of “unexpected” artwork.

For more information, email us at info@freshartists.org

Shouts of “Mine’s over here!” and “Look how big MY picture is!” rang throughout the brand-new Comcast Center’s brilliant 5-story Atrium on May 19th as 87 young artist-philanthropists showed off the large-scale digital reproductions of their artwork to parents, teachers and corporate supporters. Fresh Artists’ second Annual Student Celebration honored the artistic achievement and generosity of these talented kids chosen from K-12 public schools throughout Philadelphia’s inner city.

Gary Steuer, the Mayor’s Chief Cultural Officer of the City of Philadelphia, was this year’s featured speaker, addressing not only the children’s artistic achievements, but also their roles as young philanthropists, “paying it forward” providing art supplies to other children in their city through the donation of their artwork.

Comcast Corporation and Liberty Property Trust invited Fresh Artists to install the entire new 2009 Collection in the Atrium and have it on display for ten days. Honoring both companies’ dedication to sustainability, the art show was installed on a green, 100%-recycled cardboard, portable wall-system provided by local design firm, MIO Culture.

The Barnes Foundation was recognized with the 2009 Fresh Artists Award for their commitment to making art and art education accessible to the children of Philadelphia. A select group of Fresh Artists students have been working with the Barnes to interpret masterpieces from their collection, that will be digitally-reproduced and installed on the fencing on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway during the Foundation’s two-year construction project. Fifth-grade artist-philanthropists, Alice and Syeed, along with their art teacher, Robyn Miller presented the Barnes’ Director of Education, Blake Bradford, with this year’s commemorative Fresh Artists poster.

The 40 selected young artists were treated to private tours of the Barnes Foundation out in Merion, where they were introduced to the Barnes approach to art history, and then each chose a masterpiece to interpret in acrylics and oil crayon. Alice chose Cezanne’s iconic “Pot of Flowers”, and went to work!

This year, Fresh Artists acknowledged some of the core founding professional partners who helped launched the organization. Professional photographer, Jeffrey Totaro and web designer, Nathaneal Pershall, were both honored for their outstanding contributions to Fresh Artists. Jeffrey donates all the digital photography of both the children’s artwork as well as corporate installations of that artwork. Nate designed, built and maintains the Fresh Artists website as a gift to the creative children of his city.

Art teacher, Darren Umble, of the Potter-Thomas Elementary School, presented the 2009 Inspiration Award to School District of Philadelphia veteran art education administrators, Tessie Varthas (left) and Emilee Taylor (right), for their inspirational leadership and coaching of the more than 200 art teachers in the District.

The Volunteer of the Year Award for Passion was given to uber-volunteer, Nancy Wolff (center below), retired art teacher from Queen Village’s Meredith Elementary School, who has logged hundreds of hours behind the scenes, checking lists, calling teachers, delivering artwork, helping to build Fresh Artists. Nancy was honored with a gift certificate to spend a day at a bead shop, to everyone’s amusement! Wouldn’t a wildly creative person rather spend a day making things than at a day spa!

Each young Fresh Artists wears their own artwork on their “front stage pass” name badge, which enables adult guests to engage the children in spirited discussions of their creative work. The badges exclaim, “I’m making a difference!” and acknowledge the children as the first givers in this unique circle of philanthropy.

The children also receive a limited-edition t-shirt bearing their artwork, as well as a beautifully-framed Certificate of Extraordinary Artistic Achievement. The certificate was designed and donated by the celebrated children’s author, David Macaulay, who used an interesting array of colored, torn paper as a border for the certificate, with a wink and a nod to “process”, which is the underlying objective Fresh Artists supports with art supplies! Fresh Artists Advisory Council member, Jennifer Braxton, of IKEA, graciously donates the lime-green picture frames each year.

Chef John Gallagher, Head of Pastry Arts at the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, baked and donated 600 Fresh Artists’ signature palette sugar cookies for the children and their guests!

Fresh Artists believes that art is a canvas that provides hope, purpose and voice to future generations of creative thinkers. We honor these creative, generous children!