Vacant storefronts to bloom with artwork from schools
by Joel Hoffmann

If all goes according to plan, vacant storefronts along Germantown Avenue will be bursting with color and artistry come mid-January.

Starting next month, student artists from local high schools and colleges will be asked to submit their best work for a new initiative called Project Sketchbook, which will transform vacant storefronts into attention-arresting art exhibits.

So far, students from Chestnut Hill College are on board to display their work – tribal masks and watercolor and oil paintings – in the former Magarity Ford building and in four other buildings owned by Bowman Properties. But project co-founders Eileen Reilly and Rob Lamb want to see more students and Hill landlords embrace this opportunity to celebrate the Hill’s blossoming talent.

“The Avenue for the past 15 years has been part of my leisure time, and I’d love to see it have a spark,” Reilly said. “If there’s a window open, I think we should use it to showcase this talent.”

Lamb agrees with Reilly that the program offers property owners a unique opportunity to show Hillers that they value the community, but he sees commercial benefits as well.

“This will turn the properties into vibrant welcoming centers that will help property owners lease their spaces,” he said.

The exhibits will be on display from mid-January to June 2010, and will rotate every six to eight weeks. Outstanding works will get a second showing in the final rotation, according to Reilly.

Along with artists, the project is in need of volunteers to help set up and photograph the exhibits, Reilly said.

Project Sketchbook grew out of collaboration between the Chestnut Hill community and business associations. Its founding members also include Chris Padova and Jane Piotrowski.

Property owners willing to participate can contact Rob Lamb directly at Robert.Lamb@prufoxroach.com. Eileen Reilly can be reached at 215-919-0004.