AIR Community Engagement Exhibit opening Friday

40th Street resident artists have been working hard over the past year to complete their community engagement projects. The opening reception for their exhibit is Friday night from 6-8 p.m. at the AIR gallery (4007 Chestnut St. on the first floor). The artists and their projects include: Marie Alarcon/Park Pleasant Nursing Home & Rehab, Michael Konrad/Neighborhood Bike Works, EK Miles/A Renaissance is What They Call It (student-led art class for all ages), Sarah Lowry & Beth Nixon/Ms. Weinraub’s Drama Classes at West Philadelphia High School, and Martina Plag/University City High School.

The 40th Street Artist-in-Residence program awards West Philadelphia artists one year of free studio space at 40th and Chestnut Streets. In exchange, each artist shares his/her talents with the community by leading workshops, teaching classes, exhibiting in the area, etc. The residents for 2012-2013 will also be introduced at the opening reception, which will include a barbeque.

2011-2012 40th Street resident artists Michael Conrad and Martina Plag.