Bottlebrush Gallery & Center for the Arts

Join our Women’s Drum Circle, surrounded by the warmth and beauty of an art gallery located in a 210 year old, original Harmonist building.

Beginning October 21, the Bottlebrush Gallery is hosting a women’s drumming circle. It will meet the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm, and led by drum circle facilitators Patricia Bauer and Annie Mathie.

What is a Drum Circle?
It’s a creative, pleasurable way to tap into the healing nature of rhythm, centered around drums and other percussion instruments. Drumming and rhythm can be used to induce deep states of relaxation and meditation. It encourages us to be in the moment and out of our distracted thoughts, all while fostering a sense of creativity, playfulness and community.

No previous drumming experience is necessary. You will be encouraged to use your listening and playing skills to make musical connections and express yourself in a way that feels comfortable for you.

Class Fee: Each session is $35. Bring a drum if you have one, or drums and percussion instruments will be provided. To Sign Up: RSVP in advance by calling 724.452.0539. Payment is required in advance, so please have your credit card ready or make suitable arrangements with the Gallery.

About your Drumming Facilitators:

PATRICIA BAUER is a Music Educator and a Drum Circle Facilitator. She holds a bachelor’s from West Virginia University and a Masters from Duquesne University. She began her career in Wood County, West Virginia teaching Chorus and General Music. She moved to North Allegheny School District in 1984 where she has had experience teaching Band, Orchestra, Chorus and General Music with an emphasis on World Music Drumming. A pilot teacher for the World Music Drumming Curriculum in 1996, Ms. Bauer has since been sharing the joy and self discovery that world drumming can provide with children and adults alike.

ANNIE MATHE is a Certified Holistic Reflexologist, Healing Touch Practitioner, and Drum Circle Facilitator who uses a gentle, loving approach to inspire others to lead a healthy, empowered, extraordinary life. Whether it is through, drumming, chanting, meditation, song, or reflexology, she realizes the importance of providing a safe place in which others can rediscover the awareness of the natural forces within to heal, and find a way to rekindle the spiritual fires of one’s true inner nature. She received her Drum Circle Leadership training from Jim Donovan M.Ed., an award winning musician, educator, and teacher. Annie wishes to encourage everyone she meets to join her on the sacred path to a place of synchrony of body, mind, and spirit.

We are pleased to announce: Harmony in Art, an exhibit featuring 11 of the Gallery’s artists, on display from Saturday, September 19 through Tuesday, October 6. The selected art followed the theme of images of Harmony or items made from materials found in the town of Harmony. The exhibit includes watercolors by Mary Koepke including her Co-Creator Series of Christmas Market vendors’ portraits; oils and watercolors by Bill Perry; watercolors by Joan Scheuring; photography by Sandy Ferrainola, Dan Senneway and Dean Ziegler; paintings on roof slates from the old Sapienza Building by MJ McCurdy; woven scarves and a hat from Harmony sheep’s wool by Lissa Napora; soap made by Bo Patterson from beer served at The Harmony Inn; ceramic Virgin Sophia molds by Colleen Weaks; and a watercolor painting of The Harmony Inn by former Bottlebrush artist Sally Jones Rodgers, now deceased.

Our second week of summer classes is posted. We have new classes and a repeat of the popular Fossil Class for kids who missed it the first time. Click on the child/teen link at the top of this page.  Last day to register is Friday, July 31. Class size is limited, so don’t wait!

Learn to Draw and Paint Your Furry Family Member!

Tuesdays, June 9-30: 10am-12pm  $80 + materials fee, $20

Contact the Gallery to register. 724.452.0539.

Advance registration and payment required. Call the Gallery to register! Limit 10 students per class (4 weekly classes per session). Adults 18+.

Missed classes can be made up with 1 weeks notice with personal one-on-one coaching by the instructor.

About Your Teacher, Ron Jesiolowski: Ron began his career studying painting and drawing at Art Institute of Pittsburgh and completed an MBA in International Design from Westminster College in London, England. He has enjoyed a successful career in corporate design with his art direction and design has gracing the packaging/branding of many popular global pet products including: Milkbone, 9 Lives, Kibbles and Bits, Meow Mix, Nutrish, Natures Recipe, Snausages, Jerky Treats and many others.

Ron’s fine art work has gained critical acclaim and has been featured in exhibitions throughout the Pittsburgh region including the Scaiffe Gallery, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, and the Carnegie Museum.

He is currently serving as Professor of Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking at Waynesburg University.

Ron has a reputation of nurturing creativity and skill through personal coaching to one’s own skill level, strengths and personalities from the beginner to the professional. His philosophy is that there is no “Right Way” of drawing or painting and that each person expresses themselves in their own unique personal style.  The end result is an enjoyable, fun class and work that is personally rewarding.

“You have inspired me every day to push myself beyond my comfort zone and I am shocking myself everyday with the work I am producing.  It really is all thanks to you.  I don’t know if you realize how wonderful of a teacher you are but I am here to remind you that you have made me grow into the artist I am today and are to thank for the artist I will become.  Thank you for everything!” — Jenna

Please join us for a special opening reception. Sunday, April 12, 1-3m, Bri Stewart will hold her first solo art exhibit on her birthday.  In addition to visual art, the show will also include edible art– cupcakes!  Live music. Art for sale.  Please help support young talent and join us on this day of celebration. 

No admission charge. RSVP not required.

DRAWING (Pets and Animals) Level: Beginner.

Dates and Times:  Wednesday Evenings April 15th-May 6th, 7:00-9:00pm. Feel free to BYOB.

Cost: $80.00 + $20 materials fee *

Animals and Pets-Give yourself the gift of creating fun portraits of your furry family members or any other animal you would enjoy drawing. We will learn how to get a likeness, and have fun with color, shape and texture to draw animals! A library of pet images will be available to work from or bring photos of your pets. Easy to follow, instructor demonstrations and lots of non-judgmental individual attention provided. A variety of techniques will be explored including light, form, and texture to help get grounded in creating beautiful illustrations of your pet or select from an assortment of animals from a provided portfolio.

Advance registration and payment required. Call the Gallery to register! Limit 10 students per class (4 weekly classes per session). Adults 18+.

To read about your instructor Ron Jesiolowski, please visit his web site: http://rjjrdesign.wix.com/ron-jesiolowski

WATER COLORS (Nature and Landscapes) Level: Beginner.

Dates and Times:  Tuesday Mornings April 14th-May 5th, 10:00am-12:00pm.

Cost: $80.00 + $20 materials fee*

Painting with Water Colors- If you want to relax and loosen up this course is for you! Learn the beauty, simplicity and fluidity of watercolors and how simple shapes and effective use of color can naturally ignite your creativity and provide the skills to render virtually any subject. A library of landscapes and scenery images will be available to work from or bring a photo of your favorite vacation spot! Students will leave with at least two finished paintings and also with the inspiration to paint more. All you bring is yourself and clothing that you could get some paint on!

Easy to follow instructor follow along demonstrations of each and lots of individual attention provided.

Advance registration and payment required. Call the Gallery to register! Limit 10 students per class (4 weekly classes per session). Adults 18+.

Missed classes can be made up with 1 weeks notice with personal one-on-one coaching by the instructor.

To read about your instructor Ron Jesiolowski, please visit his web site: http://rjjrdesign.wix.com/ron-jesiolowski

* SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER: SIGN UP FOR BOTH CLASSES $150.00!

Photos from last night’s Time for Me, my women’s creative circle meeting the last Thursday of every month at the Bottlebrush. We are in our 2nd year! At each meeting, we try a new art form/project. This one was Dream Trees, using canvas, layered inks and painter’s tape. Nice job, ladies! For more information on this art class and others, go to our Adult Classes page.

It’s time for some love!  Come out for a family-friendly Valentine’s Party and help our abandoned, homeless animals at the same time.

Friday, February 13, 2015, 6:00-9:00pm. “Have A Heart for Animals”. Our 4^th Annual fundraiser to benefit the Butler Count Humane Society!

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  One easy item to bring that is incredibly useful:  Fold Top Sandwich Bags! Those plain little sandwich bags, not the Ziploc types. The shelter really needs these!
Tax-deductible cash donations also gratefully accepted.  Last year we raised $1500 in 3 hours along with two truckloads of supplies… thank you for your generosity.

Events and Activities:

Live Music by James and Debbie Tobin ~ Art Show by Debbie Tobin ~ Doggy Kissing Booth with Pickles the Boston Terrier ~ Draven, a Love on the Leash Therapy Cat ~ NEW!! Forever In My Heart Memory Wall ~ Scavenger Hunt with Prizes ~ Silent and Chinese Auctions ~ Two Fraus Bakery ~ C&G Pet Delights Dog and Cat Treats ~ Face Painting by Christina ~ Food and Beverages ~ Meet Humane Society Staff and Adoptable Pets!

Featured Artist Debra Zuzindlak Tobin

Thanks to our generous Sponsors!!

Mimi Antonetti, Artist; Angela Bianco; Bear Run Campground; Bottlebrush Gallery & Center for the Arts; BRGR;  Butler County Humane Society Volunteers; C&G Enterprises: C&G Animal Delights; Companions in Motion w/Dr. Chelsey, Chiropractor;  Country Corner Bake Shoppe (New Castle); Darn Yarn Needles and Thread; DiBella’s Subs; Draven A Love on the Leash Therapy Cat; The Enchanted Olive; The Exchange at Harmony; Eye Kandy; Fox’s Pizza; Goodfello’s Pizza Pasta & Grille; Harmony In The House Concerts; The Harmony Inn- North Country Brewing Company; The Holistic Houndry and Lucas Shadowpants; Indian Brave Campground; Nadya Lapets, Artist; Debby LeDonne, Artist; Log Cabin Inn; Massage and Skin Therapy by Erian Cortese; Mathew Jewelers; Kriss Mowery, BCHS Volunteer; Lissa Napora, Artist; Pickles Louise and her Kissing Booth; Porter House Brew Shop; Vickie Schilling, Artist; Sci(fi)bers Group from Darn Yarn Needles and Thread; Kathy and Don Seaton, Realtors; Jessica Sebastian; ShuBrew; Spring Street Cafe; Stohr Haus Bakery; The Strand Theater;  James and Debra Tobin, Musicians; Three Rivers Crochet; Two Fraus Bakery;  Cathy Witters-Stewart, Musician; Wunderbar Coffee House

At age 17, Angela Bianco drew portraits of several of Hollywood’s brightest stars, then mailed those portraits to them for autographs. Notables from the 1930’s including Jimmy Stewart, Bing Crosby, Carole Lombard, Tyrone Power, Shirley Temple, Irene Dunne, Mickey Rooney, James Cagney and Bette Davis returned the portraits to Angela with their autographs and appreciation.  Bing Crosby even included a thank-you letter.  Those portraits and photos survived the years and are currently on exhibit at the Bottlebrush Gallery through Sunday January 25, 2015. Angie is still drawing portraits at age 93! We are proud to host this exhibit and invite you to view it this week during our special exhibit hours. Thanks to Angie and her family for making these drawings available to us.