Portside Reviews“We have been sending our children to Portside for summer camps and the after school program for over three years. We've consistently found that the curriculum in Portside is incredibly beneficial in exposing our children to the arts while providing a safe, caring, and engaging environment. I am constantly blown away by the material presented (stuff that I never learned about until high school, no less) and how the amazing staff keeps such a wide range of ages, interests, and abilities engaged. Portside has become a key part of our children's' education a true nexus in our community.”- Micah Hanson, Portside Parent
“They started out in a virtually abandoned, beat up building. It was great for the community to have someone in there utilizing that space. But I couldn’t have begun to imagine the impact that that place was eventually going to have. Children come to Portside for more than art. Art is a way they feel included, they feel accepted, they have a sense of accomplishment where in other worlds they do not.” - State Representative, John Taylor "Portside Arts Center provides our 8 y/o daughter, Maya, a home base where she is provided with freedoms she feels are unique to its setting outside of her home and her school. As parents, we deeply appreciate the integral role Portside has played in the development of our daughter's identity as an artist, as well as a citizen. Portside gives the children opportunities to experience and learn the whole picture of the projects they work on by bringing in accomplished artists to engage the kids in mural making in their community and bringing their work to outside exhibits. It's a great feeling of joy and comfort to send our child to Portside Art Center for daily art instruction that has integrity and pride in addition to serving the role as an after-school program." Portside Parents, Alyse & Paul Lichtenstein Portside’s teachers are so caring and knowledgeable about both children and art. We’ve finally found an afterschool program that we feel good about. I highly recommend all their programs. - Portside Parent My daughter loves the Portside Afterschool Program. She has made tremendous progress in art techniques and her ability to express through art. - Portside Parent Excellent environment for my children to enhance their artistic side. I know they are safe and thoroughly enjoy the staff and unique atmosphere. They love going to Portside! - Katie S. |
Philadelphia Cultual Aliance & PPA Awarded Portside the Best of the Best in Pennsylvania! |
I knew my daughter was receiving a solid arts education grounded in both technique and soul the moment I picked her up for the first time. There were photos and biographies of the artists they were studying on the walls hanging up next to the kids works. Downstairs and outside I found my daughter outside engaged in a movement activity designed to provide them with a kinesthetic experience of the lesson they learned earlier about shapes and angles. The teachers understand the kids on an individual basis while simultaneously facilitating a positive group process where the kids can shine and learn from one another. Portside has truly become an extension of our family. - Alyse L.
Before Portside, we were worried about our child’s ability to be creative. She was constantly in front of a screen. However after her first few weeks at Portside we have seen a great boost in her imagination and creativity. The staff is kind, caring, and effective. Their services are comprehensive. We are so happy to be a part of this community! - Vanessa N.
Our daughter has been enrolled in Portside’s various programs for almost 4 years! She has attended Summer Camp every year, goes to after school arts, and takes acting classes. She loves Portside and so do we. We cant think of a bad thing to say about any and all of their great programs and staff! - Shanna F.
We credit Portside with doing what no pre-k teacher had been able to do—give our son communication tools. In the span of one summer he went from a kid who was easily frustrated and angered to a highly verbal, engaged kid who could draw whatever he could not find the words to describe. - Portside Parent
Portside is a children friendly, creative environment. The staff are all super friendly and full of genuine love for all the Portside students. My son has flourished, since being at Portside. He is always willing and able to explain the various art theories he has learned to children and adults.
-Lynn S.
Portside has played a big part in helping my daughters art skills and learning so much more about arts. Also my daughter has a great teacher Miss Kelsey. She takes the time to help students with their homework, studying, and also reminds the kids they can do anything if they try. - Lisa K.
My 6 year old son is a student at Alexander Adaire public school and he attends Portside’s After School Arts Program (ASAP). Luc has always been interested in drawing and ASAP has done a wonderful job of nurturing that interest and enhancing it too. I say enhancing because ASAP has introduced Luc to a variety of new arts and crafts techniques that he otherwise would not have known about. He regularly comes home with unconventional projects made of unexpected materials and proudly explains his new found skills to my wife and I. Through this we can see his confidence building as well as his appreciation of tackling challenges with a fresh perspective. - Portside Parent
Having seen the rewards of ASAP on my own son I can wholeheartedly endorse the idea of Portside’s expertise being made available to other neighborhood kids via their ArtsMobile Program. I am certain that Luc’s schoolmates at Alexander Adaire, and students at other area schools, would greatly benefit from this kind of program. Additionally, I understand that the ArtsMobile program would use art to reinforce classroom lessons. All children should have the opportunity to learn this way and be transformed by art’s educational potential. I can think of no better complement to a child’s education. - Portside Parent
As a Catholic elementary school student since I was 4 years old, I always felt like God is guiding me. Throughout the years of studying religion, we learn about the different virtues that lead us to do what is right. In June of 2013, I took studying the different virtues to a whole new level and applied what I had previously learned, when I volunteered as a summer arts camp junior counselor at Portside Arts Center, located in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia. At the summer camp, there was a class called Character Building, which inspires the children to develop Christian-like qualities. During the weekly class, the teachers taught the children many important values, such as self-control, kindness, forgiveness, dedication, and patience. I felt like I inspired the children to follow the path of Jesus, just like I was taught in religion class. I have been volunteering as a junior counselor for the previous two years at the Portside Arts Center. This community service project is not only helping children and teachers, this is making the community and this particular nonprofit center a better place. In school, we are taught that we should always be giving, nurturing, and compassionate, even to those who are less fortunate than us. In my free time, I enjoy volunteering to help the children improve their creative abilities, foster their interest in art and help make the Portside Arts Center succeed and hope to keep doing it for years to come. - Portside Student Since 2011
The Portside Arts Center has been my creative outlet for just about all of my life. I was seven years old when I first walked through Portside’s doors. At the time, I had no idea that I would later consider the Portside to be my second home. Portside has been my safe haven where I was able to blossom not only as an artist but in my academics as well. Over the years, I took many different classes at the Arts Center and adored each one. My favorite class by far was “Art ProjeX,” It was a class in which the students brought in a new art piece each week from various artists and tried to mimic or recreate it while adding in our own special flare. Going to that class was the highlight of my week; I would always look forward to spending time with my friends and creating art. I was 11 years old when I started volunteering to help around the Portside. Of course, I was too young to do anything substantial but it was still the best part of my day because I was doing what I loved. Being around the kids and teaching them the fundamentals of art was so much fun. I enjoyed helping the Arts Center in any way possible. When I was 15, I stopped volunteering at the Portside but I still try to come around as often as I can. Being a part of the Portside Arts Center has been a life-changing experience that has opened up many doors for me as a young artist and I still value the times that I have spent there and cherished each moment. Portside showed me that family, friends, and doing things you love are really what is important in life. It showed me just how fast time passes and the importance of enjoying every moment. Portside challenged me to do things I never thought were possible, it taught me that with an open mind, a good attitude, and a little determination, I can do anything. I continue to be as involved in the Arts Center as I can and look forward to what the future has in store for it. I know other kids will love just as much as I do. Devon Love Testimony - Portside Student Since 2008
Before Portside, we were worried about our child’s ability to be creative. She was constantly in front of a screen. However after her first few weeks at Portside we have seen a great boost in her imagination and creativity. The staff is kind, caring, and effective. Their services are comprehensive. We are so happy to be a part of this community! - Vanessa N.
Our daughter has been enrolled in Portside’s various programs for almost 4 years! She has attended Summer Camp every year, goes to after school arts, and takes acting classes. She loves Portside and so do we. We cant think of a bad thing to say about any and all of their great programs and staff! - Shanna F.
We credit Portside with doing what no pre-k teacher had been able to do—give our son communication tools. In the span of one summer he went from a kid who was easily frustrated and angered to a highly verbal, engaged kid who could draw whatever he could not find the words to describe. - Portside Parent
Portside is a children friendly, creative environment. The staff are all super friendly and full of genuine love for all the Portside students. My son has flourished, since being at Portside. He is always willing and able to explain the various art theories he has learned to children and adults.
-Lynn S.
Portside has played a big part in helping my daughters art skills and learning so much more about arts. Also my daughter has a great teacher Miss Kelsey. She takes the time to help students with their homework, studying, and also reminds the kids they can do anything if they try. - Lisa K.
My 6 year old son is a student at Alexander Adaire public school and he attends Portside’s After School Arts Program (ASAP). Luc has always been interested in drawing and ASAP has done a wonderful job of nurturing that interest and enhancing it too. I say enhancing because ASAP has introduced Luc to a variety of new arts and crafts techniques that he otherwise would not have known about. He regularly comes home with unconventional projects made of unexpected materials and proudly explains his new found skills to my wife and I. Through this we can see his confidence building as well as his appreciation of tackling challenges with a fresh perspective. - Portside Parent
Having seen the rewards of ASAP on my own son I can wholeheartedly endorse the idea of Portside’s expertise being made available to other neighborhood kids via their ArtsMobile Program. I am certain that Luc’s schoolmates at Alexander Adaire, and students at other area schools, would greatly benefit from this kind of program. Additionally, I understand that the ArtsMobile program would use art to reinforce classroom lessons. All children should have the opportunity to learn this way and be transformed by art’s educational potential. I can think of no better complement to a child’s education. - Portside Parent
As a Catholic elementary school student since I was 4 years old, I always felt like God is guiding me. Throughout the years of studying religion, we learn about the different virtues that lead us to do what is right. In June of 2013, I took studying the different virtues to a whole new level and applied what I had previously learned, when I volunteered as a summer arts camp junior counselor at Portside Arts Center, located in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia. At the summer camp, there was a class called Character Building, which inspires the children to develop Christian-like qualities. During the weekly class, the teachers taught the children many important values, such as self-control, kindness, forgiveness, dedication, and patience. I felt like I inspired the children to follow the path of Jesus, just like I was taught in religion class. I have been volunteering as a junior counselor for the previous two years at the Portside Arts Center. This community service project is not only helping children and teachers, this is making the community and this particular nonprofit center a better place. In school, we are taught that we should always be giving, nurturing, and compassionate, even to those who are less fortunate than us. In my free time, I enjoy volunteering to help the children improve their creative abilities, foster their interest in art and help make the Portside Arts Center succeed and hope to keep doing it for years to come. - Portside Student Since 2011
The Portside Arts Center has been my creative outlet for just about all of my life. I was seven years old when I first walked through Portside’s doors. At the time, I had no idea that I would later consider the Portside to be my second home. Portside has been my safe haven where I was able to blossom not only as an artist but in my academics as well. Over the years, I took many different classes at the Arts Center and adored each one. My favorite class by far was “Art ProjeX,” It was a class in which the students brought in a new art piece each week from various artists and tried to mimic or recreate it while adding in our own special flare. Going to that class was the highlight of my week; I would always look forward to spending time with my friends and creating art. I was 11 years old when I started volunteering to help around the Portside. Of course, I was too young to do anything substantial but it was still the best part of my day because I was doing what I loved. Being around the kids and teaching them the fundamentals of art was so much fun. I enjoyed helping the Arts Center in any way possible. When I was 15, I stopped volunteering at the Portside but I still try to come around as often as I can. Being a part of the Portside Arts Center has been a life-changing experience that has opened up many doors for me as a young artist and I still value the times that I have spent there and cherished each moment. Portside showed me that family, friends, and doing things you love are really what is important in life. It showed me just how fast time passes and the importance of enjoying every moment. Portside challenged me to do things I never thought were possible, it taught me that with an open mind, a good attitude, and a little determination, I can do anything. I continue to be as involved in the Arts Center as I can and look forward to what the future has in store for it. I know other kids will love just as much as I do. Devon Love Testimony - Portside Student Since 2008