This past weekend, September 13th to September 15th, Portside Arts Center had the pleasure and great honor of participating in the 92nd annual Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show. This is the third year in a row that students from Portside's After School Arts Program have been invited to partake in the event, which includes over 140 critically acclaimed artists exhibiting their artwork in the historical park in Center City. 

The Fine Art Show began in 1928, organized by a group of students from Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts who were inspired by the art in Parisian street exhibits. They decided that it was most appropriate to have the event in "the heart of the city - Rittenhouse Square." Back then, the artists had their work strung up on clotheslines hanging between the trees. Today, artists line their tents along the perimeter of the park, and student exhibitors (including Portside) occupy the center of the park. 

This year, the students from the After School Arts Program did something special for the show. They each received their own unique piece of wood cut from trees in the Poconos. On these pieces of wood, each child created a painting using a watercolor wash for the background, and scenes from nature in the foreground including images of plants and animals. They proved to be very popular among passersby, who were drawn in and intrigued by the materials and concepts of the pieces. We had many familiar faces come through the show, including some of our students and their families. A few of the students even conducted live on site painting projects! We were able to raise enough money to reach our goal, and all of the proceeds will be put towards scholarships for our After School Arts Program. 

"When you sell a piece, you feel like you're a part of something bigger than yourself," said Maya L. about having her artwork in the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show.

The show was a pleasant experience for families and passersby to come together and share their appreciation for art. Portside aims to maintain a welcoming environment for all ages to create art, and encourages all to be lifelong patrons of the arts. For more family fun in the arts, join us for our upcoming Family Art Night on October 11th, a monthly event at Portside where parents and kids can collaborate on art projects and work together to create something everyone can be proud of!

Portside students are thrilled to be exhibiting their artwork in the 92nd annual Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show taking place this weekend, September 13th - 15th, in historical Rittenhouse Square. Students and teachers are honored to have been chosen again for the third year in a row to participate the show. The children from our After School Arts Program have all created watercolor paintings depicting images of nature and animals on pieces of wood, which are included in the art being shown at the park. All of the pieces will be for sale, and all proceeds go towards Portside's After School Arts Program Scholarship Fund!

The Fine Art Show has a rich history; It was originally started by a small group of local art students in May 1928. Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts student Dorothy Blodgett was inspired by Paris street exhibits and had the idea to begin a show in "the heart of the city - Rittenhouse Square." The artists' work was hung by clotheslines hanging from the trees! This art show is the oldest continuously run outdoor art show in the country. Held in one of the most historical and beautiful parks in the country, artists exhibit their work around the perimeter of the park. It is held twice a year, and over 140 critically acclaimed artists exhibit their artwork at this event.

Kids and teachers have enjoyed being part of this wonderful show the past three years and look forward to another great weekend in center city meeting new people and showingcasing their work. Stop by to say hello and to show your support for our young artists!