A Tribute to Dan Vandermass, Past President

Former West Park president Dan Vandermass passed away September 7.  Dan was active on the board and held the helm for a period in the mid nineties. Dan had a gallery in his home in the sixteen hundred block of Turner Street where he displayed and sold artwork and crafts of artists from the region. Dan was himself an excellent craftsman and was very eclectic in his interests, which included scrimshaw, jewelry design, and woodworking just to name a few. Dan was very active in many local arts, social, and antique firearms organizations. He was a gifted writer who often penned articles for newsletters and was also a great letter writer (sadly, a dying art). These past few years saw Dan housebound due to declining health but he remained cheerful throughout and spent his time writing letters on the internet to his many friends.

Rest in peace Dan.        

Thanking Our Healthcare Workers

Pollinator Garden First Steps

Art-in-the-Park 2019

Kentucky Derby Progressive Dinner 2019

Leonard Buck Banquet

West Park Caroling 2018

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.

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.

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*

Electronics Recycling Event June 9

Progressive Dinner 2018

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

Our fountain is back!!

April 11, 2017

Neighborhood Street Tree Planting

November 5, 2016

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.