West Park Tree Lighting 2018
Congratulations Pat & John Ziegler celebrating
60 years together!
PA Council for the Arts Grant 2018
Tuesday, October 16, The Lehigh Valley Arts Council presented WPCA with a Project Stream Grant funded by the Pennsylvania Council for the Arts. It will be used to fund our Third Annual West Park Cultural Renaissance, May 31 to June 1 2019 and Art-in-the-Park, June 15, 2019 in West Park
The event took place on the 8th Floor of the Butz Corporate Center Black Tower.
Seven New Shade Trees Planted in West Park
Seven new shade and unusual ornamental trees are being added to the already impressive mix of trees in West Park. The trees were purchased with money from the West Park Civic Association memorial tree fund. A special thank you to Tyler Fatzinger and the Allentown Parks Department crew for planting the trees. There are new signs at the entrances too. Please stop by for a visit.
Arriving
Cutleaf Weeping Japanese Maple
Dragon Lady Holly
Brackens Brown Beauty Magnolia
Blue Cedar
Lion’s Head Japanese Maple
Willow Oak
Unloading
Paperbark Maple
Red Obelisk Beech
Allentown Parks Department
Dr. Christine Oaklander Awarded "Linny" for
Philanthropy in the Arts by ArtsQuest
Christine Isabelle Oaklander, Ph.D., Allentown
Philanthropy in the Arts Award
This award recognizes an individual, family or foundation that has made a major commitment to supporting multiple arts and cultural organizations or programs in the region. Oaklander is an expert in American art and has a keen eye for remarkable talent in our region. She has procured an impressive art collection from local artists for Lehigh Valley Health Network, and she was an interim director of Collections and Exhibitions of the Allentown Art Museum. During her time with the museum, Oaklander showcased some of the region’s prominent local artists.
Christine is our member in charge of Art-in-the-Park and has worked many hours to elevate the quality of the popular event. We congratulate her on her award and thank her for her hard work.
Althea Yuracka
1925 - 2018
We are sad to announce the passing of long-time WPCA member Althea Yuracka. Althea was a great lady who lived a long and wonderful life. A memorial fund to purchase a tree to be planted in West Park in her honor has been established. To donate click here.
Art-in-the-Park Recap, Photos & Award Winners
The 44th annual West Park Civic Association’s Art-in-the-Park was a resounding success. Held Saturday June 16, the weather was perfect and an estimated crowd of 2,500 visitors strolled the beautifully landscaped grounds of West Park, in Allentown. The new format for this favorite show attracted visitors not only from the greater Lehigh Valley, but from surrounding states, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware. Buying was brisk, and exhibitors and visitors had numerous enthusiastic remarks for the event, praising the improved quality and wide range of art, the friendliness of exhibitors, and the musical performances. Twenty-two prizes were bestowed by VIP prize judges Michiko Okaya, director and curator of galleries and collections, Lafayette College, and Lisa Tremper Hanover, former director of the Berman Museum at Ursinus College and CEO of the James Michener Museum. Over a dozen first-time exhibitors participated, several among them prizewinners. The West Park Civic Association anticipates continuing to build upon and improve this well-established event and thanks the many visitors, exhibitors, performers, and volunteers, who made the event so successful. Our many sponsors, including City Center Allentown, Jaindl Enterprises, and LLS Graphics made this event possible, and our organization was fortunate in having their support.
Dr. Christine Isabelle Oaklander, Chairperson, Art-in-the-Park
PRIZES 44th Annual ART-IN-THE-PARK
Painting: oil, acrylic, pastel 1st prize Devyn Briggs, 2nd prize Jacqueline Meyerson, 3rd prize Claudia McGill
Works on Paper (drawings, prints, watercolor) 1st prize MaryAnn Riker, 2nd prize Ricky Dutchmen 3rd prize Sarah Karess
Photography 1st prize Patricia Scialo, 2nd prize Matthew Blum*, 3rd prize, James Villaume
Three-dimensional works (sculpture, constructions) 1st prize Spencer Snygg*, 2nd prize Carol Ann Kalmar, 3rd prize Mariana Russo
Crafts: glass, jewelry, metalwork, fiber art, ceramics 1st prize Svetlana Howells, 2nd prize Katrina Plaster*, 3rd prize, Tom Laudenslager*
Art made with recycled/repurposed materials Karen Gruss*
College Students 1st prize Amy Sanders*, 2nd prize, Jessica Licker, 3rd prize, Derek Reynogo
High School Students 1st prize Ruby Brown*, 2nd prize Briana Roldan*, 3rd prize Aaron Stone*
Sandra Corpora, Demonstrating Artist
Jacob Bullock, Demonstrating Artist
Honoring Edie Roeder, left. Center: Ellen Millard-Kern, Chief of Staff for Senator Pat Brown. Right: Dr. Christine Oaklander, Chair Art-in-the-Park
The Allentown Band
The Fountain
Strolling Along
Center: Matthew Blum, 2nd Prize Photography
Right: Kim Hogan, Demonstrating Artist
Left: Devon Briggs, First Prize Painting
Everyone loves the art show
Electronics Recycling Event June 9
Helping to keep dangerous metals from our landfills.
Thank you to our organizer Wendie Lazansky and other volunteers: Peter Jodik , Bill Karpovich, John Clarry, Lane Benson and Tom Yuracka.
Progressive Dinner 2018
Bring on dessert!
Margaret, Jeff, Lisa, Scott & Sophie
JoAnn, Michael & Michael
Peter, Kathleen & Mar
The Peoples
Helping hands
PA Council for the Arts Grant 2017
Wednesday, October 18, The Lehigh Valley Arts Council presented WPCA with a Project Stream Grant funded by the Pennsylvania Council for the Arts. It will be used to fund our Spring Brunch/Music in the Park with Tri City Tango as well as the 2nd
Annual Plein Air Workshop instructed by Adriano Farinella which enables us to provide the West Park Arts Education Scholarships providing means for area artists to continue thier education at the Baum School of Art.
The event took place at The National Museum of Industrial History in Bethlehem.
WPCA President, Thomas Yuracka with Sculptor, Dan Kainz.
We are saddened to announce the passing of long time neighbor and WPCA member Peggy Egolf. She was a past president, board member, and chairperson for Art-in-the-Park as well as being actively involved in all aspects of the organization. Her hard work and dedication will be missed. Services will be held at Stephens Funeral Home Saturday, September 9, 2017. Click here for obituary.
The Trajectory Heart in West Park Sunday, July 16, 2017
Tom Mann, Artist
Our fountain is back!!
April 11, 2017
![17903334_10155320491819924_6978214160778036502_n[2].jpg](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5728be0f27d4bd389b214a7b/t/58ed4fcb893fc0a9e7a895ba/1491947517786/17903334_10155320491819924_6978214160778036502_n%5B2%5D.jpg)
Neighborhood Street Tree Planting
November 5, 2016
Working can be fun!
The end of a job well done.
Learning to plant.
Supervision.
PA Council for the Arts Grant 2016
Wednesday, October 19, The Lehigh Valley Arts Council presented WPCA with a Project Stream Grant funded by the Pennsylvania Council for the Arts. The grant will be used for a cultural renaissance program offering Dance workshops, live music and plein air painting in West Park the summer of 2017.
The event took place at the Facility of Smooth-On, Inc. in Macungie, a manufacturer of rubbers, plastics, and foams used in the creation of 3-D props and sets for movies.
