All Art, All Week

My children are all returning home this weekend. I'd like to think it's because they love and miss me but actually it's for an event they wait for all year -- the annual Block of Art!

Friday, May 3 you can stop by the Senior Center at 6 pm for live entertainment and a map of the pop-up galleries open for the evening between the Greystone and Sage Coffehouse on Center Street. Come back Saturday, May 4 between 10 am and 5 pm for more art, food, live music, children's activities and even a scavenger hunt! Then end your day at the Majestic Theater for the Art Auction at 6 pm.

Don't forget that Saturday is also the day for the raffle of Dr. Abdul Wahhab's oil painting to benefit Schuylkill County VISION programs. You can purchase a ticket for $10.50 here.

Perhaps my favorite part of Block of Art is that every place is transformed into an art gallery. Sure, there are some empty buildings that become art galleries for the weekend but you'll also find art in candy stores, government buildings, the library. If you do happen to stop and see the library's Block of Art exhibit bring the kids (ages 5 and up)! Saturday is also Free Comic Book Day and they're giving away a variety of comic books as well as having superhero photo ops, crafts and activities. Kids who come as they favorite Star Wars character can enter a drawing for  a gift certificate. YOu can also help the library raise money for these great programs by attending Macbeth Short Cuts at the Majestic Theater or Pottsville Library during the next two weeks. Learn more about the performance in this post.n  m

But Block of Art isn't the only art in the town (or county) this week. The Walk In Art Center, Schuylkill Haven is hosting the Opening Reception for a mixed media exhibit by Jim Heller on Wednesday, May 1 (today!) from 5 pm to 7 pm. If you can't make it on Wednesday, stop by the Walk In on Saturday, May 4 for their Open House from 1 pm to 5 pm. Along with Heller's art, you can meet artists that have studios at the Walk In and learn about their work.

Next week will be the Tamaqua Community Arts Center's turn when they open the exhibit of paintings by Maria Stabio on May 8 from 6 pm to 8 pm.

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