Bottlebrush Gallery & Center for the Arts

It’s that time again! Our art classes are open for children (including preschool!), youth and teens for weeks June 23-26 and June 30-July 3. Click on the children/teens classes tab at the top of this page. More classes will be added for July, including a water-themed group project to be displayed at Harmony’s 10 Year Flood Commemoration event in September.

This year’s classes include handbuilt pottery, jewelry, painting and drawing, photography, drumming, creative writing, stage and auditioning skills.

To reserve a seat in our art classes:  email us at  bottlebrushgallery @ yahoo.com.  A Gallery representative will contact you to confirm/complete registration and process payment, which is required at the time of registration.  Parents must complete a parental consent form for their child upon registration or at the class meeting time.

After paying the artists and for supplies, the remainder of the registration money goes towards our mini-grant program ART MATTERS, established to fund art classes for disadvantaged children and youth. We get many calls from local groups and organizations asking for classes to help their clients, so we decided to do something about it. Thank you for helping us to help them!

Bring the kids! Pet our sheep! Harmony’s annual Herb & Garden Fair is Saturday 6/14, 9am-3pm. In addition to the plant exchange/sale activities at the 1805 Barn, the town is keeping the party going with two FREE afternoon concerts by Todd Burge, food, garden art, plenty of kids activities, and more. Artists showing and demonstrating for this event:  Judy Dickson, Jill Eudaly, Susan Walker, and Cathy Wright. Check out our schedule. Weather forecast is awesome, so come and see us!

ALL NEW MATERIAL!

Thursday, April 24, 7-9pm.  One night workshop!

Cost: $35 in advance; $45 at door. To Register Online: http://www.jimdonovandrums.com/apps/webstore/products/show/4651352

Melt your stress with Drum & Chant. Clear Your Mind. Get Re-Energized. Learn Powerful techniques to help you feel great everyday.  Beginners are always warmly welcomed. Drums are provided.

The Drum & Chant Workshop shows you how to:

• Energize the brain and clear the mind
• Lessen resistance & fear
• Create deep relaxation and stress relief
• Expand conscious awareness
• Unblock energetic and emotional congestion
• Open creative inspiration and expression

Enjoy learning how to improve the quality of your life by using the power of sound to effectively unblock, transform, and increase your energy. Through the group drumming, chanting and breathwork, you will learn how to gain energized mental clarity, reduce fear and anxiety, unblock emotional congestion, open creative inspiration and to expand your conscious awareness.

Drumming and chanting with others is an ancient practice that people have used for millennia all over the globe to connect, heal, learn, witness and celebrate with each other. It’s only been in the last few hundred years that many people in our modern cultures have stopped connecting in this way.

Join us to reclaim and experience this powerful and comforting way of being together in community. Advance registration recommended. Space is very limited.

Cost: $35 in advance; $45 at door. To Register Online: http://www.jimdonovandrums.com/apps/webstore/products/show/4651352

Saturday, March 29, 2014  1pm-3pm Refreshments Served. FREE. RSVP Not Required.

Please join us for Salon des Refuse: An Art Show and Benefit, organized and led by Seneca Valley graduating senior Chandler Sendek. The theme of this art show is a Salon des Refuses, which is French for “Exhibition of Rejects.” Chandler and his fellow student artists will exhibit their “rejected” work, with the goal of shedding light on artists who possess the necessary creativity but may lack in the skilled interpretation of their inspiration, as well as those who express themselves in a rather unorthodox manner.

Proceeds from the student art sold at this event will be donated to the Seneca Valley School District art program. All cash, check or credit card donations gratefully accepted.

Dates and Times: Mondays, March 17, 24, 31 and April 7, 14 and 21. 6:00-7:30pm. $90 for six weeks of instruction including use of drums.  Registration closes two days prior to class. Payment required at time of registration.

Conga Drumming: Basics and Beyond (Ages 18+)

Explore the exciting world of Afro-Cuban and Latin Rhythms in a fun and friendly atmosphere.   What you will learn in this six week, fully interactive class designed for absolute beginners and musicians alike includes:

Technique – Get the best sound from your drum; Clave -The backbone of Latin music; Tumbao – The most heard hand drum pattern in much Latin and American music; Calypso -Your “passport” to a wide array of world music; Rumba; Guaguanco – The Holy Grail of Cuban Drumming; Abakwa -Cuban ceremonial rhythm made fun and easy; PRACTICE METHODS – Make your practice time fun and intentional.

Instructor: Bryan Fazio. A dynamic teacher and facilitator, Bryan Fazio has been pursuing a life with music and creativity since age 27. Bryan teaches Blissful Drumming at the Community College of Beaver County, facilitates workshops throughout the greater Pittsbugh area on hand drumming and spontaneous poetry, gives private lessons and accompanies yoga classes.  He performs regularly with Jim Donovan’s Sun King Warriors, Tertium Quid Percussion Ensemble, and is a solo artist at venues/festivals including The Great Blue Heron, All Good, and The Beachland Ballroom. www.bryanfazio.com

Please join us for Art Warms The Heart, a youth art show organized and led by Seneca Valley graduating senior Kyle Snyder on March 8, 2014, from 12pm-3pm.

Artwork by local youth artists will be on exhibit and for sale. All proceeds benefit the “Duffel Bag Project,” a program sponsored by Butler County Foster Care, providing duffle bags and personal supplies for needy children. Kyle’s goal is to raise $1,000 for this very worthwhile cause through sales of his artwork and that of his fellow students. All donations gratefully accepted. Refreshments will be served. Live music.  RSVP not required.

We’ve been busy adding art and spiritual improvement classes to our calendar for both adults and children/youth. Art classes include Mixed Media Techniques and “Twisted Lines,” artist Susan Walker’s take on zen doodles.

We’re also offering drumming classes. Bryan Fazio is teaching his Conga Drumming course, in addition to his popular one-evening Drum~Write~Draw.  Jim Donovan returns to the Bottlebrush this spring, presenting his Spring Renewal and Rejuvenation Series, 5 weeks of spiritual and creative refreshment using drums. Check out the full description on our Adult Classes page.

Other ongoing favorites include our Songwriters in Harmony workshop, “Time for Me” A Women’s Creative Circle, Debbie Smith Wagner’s Bottlebrush Improv and Acting class for ages 9-15 with Auditioning activities added–  and the return of Harmony Ink, a monthly creative writing workshop.

Click on the links Children/Teen Classes and Adult Classes above to see everything that’s new, and be sure to check back as we add more classes regularly.

To sign up for our classes, contact the Gallery either by email bottlebrushgallery @ yahoo.com or call us, 724.452.0539. Please note, to sign up for Jim Donovan’s Spring Renewal series, follow the link provided in the description.

ATTENTION: PARENTS … our third annual Summer Art Class Schedule for children and teens is under development with some cool, new additions this year!

Thursday, February 13, 2014  6:00-9:00pm. FREE!

Kids, art and pets– what better combination is there? 🙂

It’s time for some love– and our 3rd annual Valentines Party and Fundraiser for the Butler County Humane Society! Come out for our family-friendly Valentine’s party and help our abandoned and homeless animals at the same time. No charge for admission… we only ask that you bring food, toys or supplies donations for the animals. The Humane Society’s donation “wish list” can be seen here: http://butlercountyhs.org/wish_list.html Tax-deductible cash donations also gratefully accepted… please help out however you can.

What will be happening at the Gallery? Activities include: Food and Beverages ~ Art Show ~ Silent Auctions/Chinese Auctions ~ Scavenger Hunt with Prizes ~ Kissing and Petting Booth with Pickles the Dog ~ Kitty Cuddles Booth ~ MANY Cool Gift Baskets for Auction ~ Pet Psychic Readings by Margaret White Cloud Schweiger ~ Live Music by Todd Wehr and Friends including Dennis McCurdy and Jeff Wiley ~ Pretty Pet Collars by Kim Keeley ~ Dog and Cat Treats by Christine Galket ~ Artist Exhibit ~ Face Painting by Christina ~ Meet Humane Society Staff and Adoptable Pets

Our Sponsor list is growing!

Business Sponsors include: Allure Salon, Alpine Trail Veterinary Clinic, An Evening of Music at The Center of Harmony, Bear Run Campground, The Beneigh Agency, Bottlebrush: A Gallery for the Arts, Burgh’ers, C&G Pet Delights, Darn Yarn Needles and Thread, Della Terra Restaurant, The Emporium/Kingdom of Three, The Enchanted Olive, The Exchange at Harmony, Eye Kandy, FETCH Pet Services, Fox’s Pizza, The Green Barn Whole Animal Nutrition, Harmony in the House Concerts, The Harmony Inn, The Harmony Museum Shop, Jockey Person to Person,  Just Pam Custom Horse Show Apparel and Consignments, Kim Keeley’s Sweet Pup Collars, McGinnis Sisters Special Food Stores, Maddalon Jewelers, Nicolette’s Gift Shop, Polished, Robbin’s Nest (formerly Wines & Vines), The Stohr Haus Bakery, The Strand, Suzie’s Corner, Velvet Salon, Weaver’s Cabin, Wunderbar.

Thanks also to Premier Laser Spa of Pittsburgh www.premierlaserspaofpittsburgh.com for their very generous donation of a $500 gift certificate for our auctions!

Artist Donors:  Jill Claire, Michael Flaherty, Mary Koepke, Nautilus Creations, Gloria Rogulin Blake, Lissa Naporra, Debbie Smith Wagner.

Gallery Friend Donors: Carrie Baker, Elissa and Pickles Druschel, Roger and Janice Druschel, Connie King (BCHS Volunteer).

Musicians:  Dennis McCurdy, Todd Wehr, Jeff Wiley.

If you or your business would like to be a sponsor for this well-attended and worthwhile cause, please contact us. Donations of all sizes accepted.

Featured Artist Exhibit: “The Art of Face Painting” by Christina DiCenzo, McKees Rocks

RSVP requested but not required. Thank you for supporting us as we care for the homeless animals at the Butler County Humane Society!

Thursday, February 13, 2014  6:00-9:00pm ~ Bottlebrush:  A Gallery for the Arts  539 Main Street  Harmony, PA 16037 ~ RSVP 724.452.0539

Happy New Year’s from Harmony, PA. Photos from our annual “Silvester” event, which is the German town’s celebration of New Year’s Eve.  Face Painting by Christina for big and little kids alike, a 5k and Fun Run, traditional food and drinks, treats for pets by Christine Galket, German countdown and ball drop at 6pm (midnight in Germany!), singing of Auld Lang Syne, and fireworks. All of the shops in town are open, including the Gallery– and we all have our heat on, so come in and keep warm. And when it’s all done, you’ll be home in time to celebrate New Year’s — again. 🙂  A blessed and joyous 2014 to everyone from Bottlebrush Gallery.

Visit us for Christmas! With 85 local artists’ work on display and a wide range of prices, you will find something for anyone on your list. Visit our year-round Christmas by the Creek shop featuring holiday-themed art and crafted items by our artists, and vintage (antique) Christmas ornaments and memorabilia. Shown below, vintage ornament art, breast cancer awareness theme Christmas tree, glass cheese plate with knife and coasters by Don Allaman, and a sewing or quilting themed Christmas tree.