All Around Pennsauken

By Arlene Miller, Friends of the Pennsauken Free Public Library

We hope you’ve been preparing an entry for our annual Art Show, coming up on April 22 and culminating with a “Meet the Artist” reception on the 29th. The show is open to all artists presently living in Pennsauken and Merchantville in two divisions: students in grades 8 – 12 and adults. Submissions in all media: drawing, painting, photography, three-dimensional, fabric art, etc., completed within the last three years are acceptable, but only two per person. Each entry must be ready to hang or display – and please, no wet paint! Hanging works should be no larger than approximately 30” x 36,” including the frame; and all entries must display an identification card you can find in the informational flyer on the Library lobby desk. Entries may be priced for sale, although they are not required to be; a donation of 20 percent to the Friends of any sale item is requested. Entries must be brought to the Library on Thursday, April 19, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., or Friday, April 20, from noon to 5:30 p.m. and picked up after the reception on Sunday, April 29, at 4:30 p.m.

In addition to the artwork on display, workshop activities abound throughout the Art Show week and are open to everyone. Registration is required; sign up in person at the Circulation Desk in advance. All supplies will be provided for each workshop. On Sunday, April 22, Fran Bennett, PHS art teacher, will guide 15 participants through some basic techniques with markers and watercolors in our drawing workshop from1:30 – 3:30 p.m. On Tuesday, April 24, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., 10 participants will learn how to make a fabric gift bag using pre-cut fabrics you’ll then hand sew to complete your creation. Bring along small scissors and a thimble if you need one. On Wednesday, April 25, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., Kevin King from Framers’ Workroom in Cherry Hill will hold an informational Q&A presentation about framing pictures, photos, etc. Finally, Eleanor Gribok will guide 10 participants to use their creative ideas to draw a still life arrangement with dry media on Friday, April 27, from noon to 5:00 p.m. PLEASE NOTE: all children attending a workshop must be 10 years of age or older AND accompanied by a responsible adult during the entire session.

Remember, too, that April is the submission month for all poems being entered in our annual Poetry Contest, open to all residents of Pennsauken and Merchantville. Information flyers explaining various ages and categories, type of poems, etc. and submission forms to be attached to the back of each entry can be picked up at the Library’s lobby desk. Keep in mind that all entries must be received no later than 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 13, either in person or by mail to Friends of the Pennsauken Free Public Library Poetry Contest, 5605 Crescent Blvd., Pennsauken, NJ 08110. All entries must be original and applicants cannot have won in the previous two years. Winners must attend the Awards Reception on Wednesday, May 16 to receive prize and have their pictures taken for All Around Pennsauken.