An arts invasion springs to life in downtown Pottsville!
2013 will bring The 7th Annual Block: Block of Art is an exciting, and growing, annual three-day arts event in downtown Pottsville, with multiple indoor venues, arts exhibits, performances, and workshops - as well as outdoor music and events. The 7th Annual Block of Art kicked off on Friday April 19, 2013 with our ever-popular opening reception featuring fine art & the opportunity to meet the artists. Each year, downtown Pottsville transforms its indoor spaces into a premier gallery walk. Several hundred works of art will be on display and for sale including paintings, photographs, jewelry, ceramics and sculpture from local, regional, and international artists.
Check out this year's events by visiting our Event Schedule page!
Block of Art 2012 Featured Artists
Kathy Connelly
Kathy began her arts career 30 years ago with floral arranging, color coordinating, and decorating. Her transition to fine arts was a process that was founded in instruction on the local level. Countless hours of self-study and a constant effort to refine her techniques were instrumental in bringing Kathy to be the Allied Artists featured artist in 2000. She was chosen to be featured in the 2003 issue of Schuylkill Living Magazine and her works have been shown at the Mad Batter Restaurant in Cape May, N. J. Currently, Kathy works in watercolor, oil, and mixed media.
Street Musicians, oil, by Kathy Connelly, photograph by Chandon DeLa Torre
Audrey Bordonaro
After studying Interior Design at the Pratt Institute and finishing a bachelor degree in Art Education at Indiana University of PA, Audrey worked for the Blue Mountain School District for 36 years, founding the Artist in Residence program and setting up art exhibits and festivals for the school. Audrey took fine arts courses off and on over the years and finally began to dedicate more time to her art after her two children were raised. In 2005, she began taking workshops in oil, acrylic, and pastel and has reignited her passion for art! Her painting All that Jazz is currently on exhibit at the Goggleworks Art Center in Reading.
Soothing the Soul, oil, by Audrey Bordonaro, photograph by Chandon DeLa Torre
Mark Sassani
Mark has taught at Mt. Carmel Area High School for 32 years, combining his love of work and family with travel to museums and art galleries for inspiration. He has worked on many commissioned pieces, paintings, drawings, and murals. Mark is especially interested in conservation of statues for churches, and, recently, on stained glass. He has worked in many local churches in Mt. Carmel and Shenandoah and Shamokin and even has done work for The Apostles of Jesus in Uganda. In his easel work, Mark dedicates much of his time to realistic landscapes and some still-life and portraits.
Our Lady of the Rosary, oil on board, by Mark Sassani, photograph by Chandon DeLa Torre
Christopher Mathias
Christopher is a realist painter who studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore and earned a Masters in Art Education from Mansfield University. He has been nationally recognized for his achievements with awards including American Artist Magazine Golden Anniversary National Art competition First Place award in 1987 and was featured in an American Magazine Artist Magazine article titled, Realism Today. He has shown in Denver, Colorado, San Francisco CA, St. Louis MO, and at the Salmagundi Club in New York City.
Eucalyptus, oil on panel, by Christopher Mathias, photograph by Chandon DeLa Torre
Join us!
Block of Art is a community organized, community-funded event. Each year the scope becomes larger and more ambitious, involving more people, more artists, more venues, and more partnerships. If you would like to become involved as an artist, volunteer, sponsor, or community partner, please visit our Participate page.