Bethany Rusen at work (photos via Indiegogo.com)

Last month, we wrote about the efforts by West Philly artist and educator Bethany Rusen to open a new ceramic studio and affordable co-working space for artists in Cedar Park. Renovations of the space, called Black Hound Clay Studio (BHCS) and located at 711 S. 50th Street, began this spring, and a few days ago Bethany launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to help this venture succeed.

The startup costs for the studio are considerable, according to Bethany. Thanks to successful fundraising raffle held last month at Art Star Gallery and a loan from the nearby Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, some funds have been secured to carry out some space renovations and to cover the deposit and first few months’ rent. Bethany also managed to get some free stuff through Craigslist, including work tables, shelving and storage. She currently has four working pottery wheels, either donated by friends and family or bought used.  Continue Reading

Philly Cuts owner Darryl Thomas (center) and his employees and supporters in front of his barbershop at 44th and Chestnut (Darryl Thomas Facebook photo)

The barbershop on 44th and Chestnut Streets in West Philadelphia seems to have only two floors: the ground floor for men’s haircuts, and the second floor for women’s haircuts. But there’s also third floor, a room plastered with maps and signs, with people taking calls and typing messages: A campaign office.

Philly Cuts has been in operation for 18 years, and this year its 43-year-old owner Darryl Thomas is running for political office for the first time. Thomas, a Democrat, is running for State Representative of the 190th District in the primary election on Tuesday, April 26th. This legislative district includes Belmont, Carroll Park, Cathedral Park, Mill Creek, Haddington, East Parkside,West Powelton, Strawberry Mansion, Allegheny West and Lehigh West. This is the district that Thomas grew up in and left for college—but eventually came back to.

Thomas said the barbershop is like a “watering hole”— a natural place for the community to come together, and a good place to reach them. Over the years, that barbershop has morphed into a community crossroads, a place where people can come for one service — a haircut — and find information and access to other services, like healthcare, education, and job opportunities.  Continue Reading

Work by Tegan Bellitta is currently on display at Gush Gallery at Jinxed (4521 Baltimore Ave.)

Artists Stephanie Slate and Sarah Thielke, co-founders of Gush Gallery, which had to close its location on the 5000 block of Baltimore Ave. last summer due to sustainability issues, are sending some great news: the gallery is very much alive and kicking at a new location in West Philly, also on Baltimore Avenue. Here’s what Stephanie wrote us in an email:

     Sarah Thielke and Stephanie Slate

“Gush Gallery (formerly at 5015 Baltimore Ave) has now teamed up with Jinxed on 4521 Baltimore Ave. Mike, the owner, has graciously offered us to take over the large brick wall in the new location. We have successfully curated two gallery shows from the new space, and have just confirmed upcoming shows with more local artists. We are VERY excited…”

The women have scheduled to have one solo or group show each month. They kicked things off in March with shows by Kate Harrold and Syd Torchio. Currently, Tegan Bellitta’s work is on display, and here is the gallery’s schedule through December, 2016:  Continue Reading

Caribbean Cuisine Week, an annual event supporting young Caribbean athletes competing in the Penn Relays, will take place April 13-15, 2016 and kicks off on Tuesday, April 12, at Zavino UC (32nd and Chestnut). Visit Philly has listed it as one of the top 12 events in the city for this month.

Now in its 12th year, CCW partners with chefs throughout the city who prepare Caribbean and Latin-themed dishes at special prices. A portion of the proceeds goes to provide 3,000 hot meals, ground transportation, housing and medical services to over 700 economically-disadvantaged high school athletes from the Caribbean coming to the Penn Relays (last week of April).

The Penn Relays is the largest track and field event in the United States, drawing over 115,000 people to Philadelphia each spring. The 2016 Penn Relays will be held April 28-30 at Franklin Field.  Continue Reading

New clay studio is opening this spring at 711 S. 50th Street (photo from Black Hound Clay Studio’s Facebook page).

A new clay studio and co-working space for artists is coming this spring to Cedar Park. West Philly resident and artist Bethany Rusen will open Black Hound Clay Studio later this spring at 711 S. 50th Street, just around the corner from Dock Street Brewery.

Renovations on the space are currently underway. To help cover start-up costs and other expenses, a raffle fundraiser will take place on Saturday, March 12 at Art Star Gallery and Boutique. Rusen says that quite a few West Philly artists and businesses have already donated items, including Dock Street, Talking Headz Salon, and Satellite Cafe.

Rusen is excited about the new studio, which is a “huge open space with 15 foot ceilings.”

Once opened, the studio will offer a co-working space for ceramic artists for a low monthly fee. Those who are interested in the space can email Rusen at Bethany@blackhoundclay.com to be put on the waiting list. The tentative plan also includes pottery classes starting in Fall 2016.  Continue Reading

The Penn Alexander School’s first and only principal, Sheila Sydnor, will retire at the end of this school year, and The School District of Philadelphia has announced a search for a new principal to lead the school starting from the 2016-2017 school year.

                     Penn Alexander School

Sydnor has served as Penn Alexander School Principal since it opened in 2001. A veteran district teacher and administrator, she was selected from a pool of 60 candidates. Under her leadership the University of Pennsylvania-assisted neighborhood school has earned a reputation for educational excellence. The school was named as the best K-8 school in the district in the 2014-2015 School Progress Report.

On Wednesday, March 9, community members are invited to join in the conversation regarding the search for a new principal. A meeting with the search committee, which is chaired by Sean Conley, assistant superintendent for Neighborhood Network Two of the School District of Philadelphia, and Dr. Pam Grossman, dean of the Penn Graduate School of Education, will take place from 7 – 8 p.m. in Penn Alexander’s cafeteria.

The committee is holding a series of outreach meetings with key stakeholders. These meetings are an opportunity for community members to learn about the search process and voice their ideas.

When: Wednesday, March 9, 7-8 p.m.
Where: Penn Alexander School Cafeteria; Enter on 43rd street (between Locust and Spruce)