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Portside Voice for the Arts Awards and Dance Benefit Rocked the Night Away


The Portside Arts Center held the 1st Annual Voice of the Arts Awards and Dance Benefit on Fri., November 14 at the Skybox at 2424 E. York Street.

“This is to honor State Representative John Taylor, our Strategic Planner John Crowther and raise funds for the after school arts program,” Portside director Kim Creighton said. “Words can not say how grateful I am for John Taylor. He has always been on my side, always encouraged me as a friend, business owner and someone who’s trying to do their best to make something postive in the community. He’s a wonderful pillar of the community and I love and respect him.”

Representative Taylor was presented with a hand-painted portrait illustrated by Portside’s assistant director Jenna Wilchinsky.

“It’s an honor to be associated with these folks,” Taylor said. “As much as I like the impact of arts, the folks here who are actually doing the teaching here are leaving a special impression on these kids. I have seen this place in its infancy when it started out as an abandoned building. Kim, Jenna and the rest of the staff are awesome. We hope we can continue to help them flourish.”

John Crowther couldn’t not be present for the benefit as he was in England for a funeral. Crowther helped write Portside’s business plan, a process that took four years as the scope of what the art center would become grew and developed into the model that it uses today. His wife and son were there to accept on his behalf.

The benefit featured live performances by the Don Jones Band and DJ Holly Sue, as well as beer donated by Philadelphia Home Brew, fresh Sangria, light Hors d’oeuvres and plenty of people, including Philadelphia City Councilman Mark Squilla.

“An operation like Portside Arts Center is really invaluable and priceless to the community. What they have done is actually created an atmosphere in the neighborhood where kids have the ability to go and have art where they may not have that opportunity in schools,” Squilla said. “Art and culture is a focus in our community and something that helps a community grow. This gives Port Richmond an opportunity to grow with not only people who have lived here for years but also to attract new people into Port Richmond and show what we have to offer.”

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