Philadelphia is a culturally rich and diverse city, which prides itself on the artistic expression it inspires. Considering the growing number of collegiate art programs, the Avenue of the Arts, the citywide Mural Arts Program and the iconic Art Museum, and the importance of the arts to city residents, it is difficult to understand why so many schools are lacking art programs.

Philadelphians at the Portside Art Center have attempted to change these tides, even if just an inch, by providing art education outside of the traditional classroom. Members at Portside have forged a partnership with Adaire Elementary School in Fishtown to do just that.

According to Kim Creighton, president and executive director at Portside, the partnership began the end of January through contact with Adaire’s principal, Michael Rosenberg.  Rosenberg was interested in providing his students with art programs.

Rosenberg, who used to be the principal at Grover Washington Jr. Middle School — a school named after the once pinnacle jazz musician — considers art an essential element to the pursuit of knowledge.

“The arts are not mutually exclusive [from education],” said Rosenberg. “We wanted to take a more inclusionary approach, and allowed students to choose what they wanted to learn, whether it be guitar lessons, embroidery, or crafts — it really gave them an opportunity to shine.”

Creighton acknowledged Rosenberg’s primary role in the program’s inception.

“He was their temporary principal for one year – and very proactive with the arts,” Creighton said. “He thinks it should be back in the schools.”

From that point, meetings were held nearly every week to plan the program. According to Creighton, Portside planned the full curriculum and supplied the teachers.  Classes were set up with 20 seats each. Illustration and music classes were held for students in grades sixth through eighth, and arts and crafts were available for the first through fifth grade students.

“The kids were great, we would discuss what we would do if the kids misbehaved, but we never had a incident, they were like little angels. We really hope we can get back there again next year,” said Creighton.

At Portside

The non-profit Portside Art Center is located on the corner of Lehigh Ave. and Belgrade Street and has been an artistic presence in the neighborhood since 2008. The organization holds year-round art classes for children, among various other community events and adult classes. They have also worked with other schools directly, as they did with Adaire, giving many children the chance to express themselves in ways they’re usually not able to.

The center also provides many scholarships for students to continue the course to higher learning, and is constantly looking for opportunities to raise money, both to fund these scholarships and obtain art supplies for the children’s use.

“We gave out about $3,000 dollars in scholarships last year,” said Creighton. “We’ve had kids that have been volunteering with us for four years. Awesome participation with the community in this neighborhood.”

In April of this year, the center and its students got started on their most recent project – creating a mosaic mural spanning the entire façade of their building. The Mural Arts Program also got involved and the painting began. The mural is now a nearly completed project, which Kim and the artistic team hope will be finished by the end of July.

The artists, including prominent muralist Cesar Viveros are working hand in hand with students to create the “under the sea” themed mural, which he has found to be a very rewarding experience.

“I had the opportunity to open up to them the whole painting process,” said Viveros. “We had them paint, and we installed the panels to the wall. We had so many community paint days too, kind of painting by number, that really helped.”

The goal is to have the mural completed in time for the Kensington art festival, and unveil the finished product to the public at that time.

“We had a meeting recently with Jennifer McCreary, who is the special events and social media manager in regard to helping us get a permit for the Lehigh Avenue Arts Festival,” said Creighton. “We’re having a hard time getting a permit for the dedication of the mural.”

“When the kids come to Portside the instructors really interact with the kids, and it’s great because they want to come to help, they don’t have to. They are just excited to be a part of the group,” said Viveros.

Creighton described the long process that began the project.

“It’s been almost two years, writing back and forth, trying to get approval for our site,” said Creighton.

“Before we had a video camera, we had a metal box screwed to a telephone pole and hooked it up to a car battery with an inverter in a milk crate. That’s how we started documenting [the project],” said Creighton.

Since then many more people have gotten involved, and volunteers from the community and neighboring universities continue to lend a hand. The center is constantly creating new ideas to complete their ambitious undertaking.

Even now, without the mosaic sculptures it is a visually dominant force that springs life back into the brick-toned blocks with flashes of color. The mural does not just stand for an artistic oasis, but keeps in mind the children who helped solidify its conception. The mosaic tiles to be used will illustrate various species of fish, and aquatic animal life, in an attempt to educate children about life in our oceans.

The small center and the large community that surrounds it is a testament to the potentiality of all people, whether their goal is to change the world, or just a few city blocks and a few young minds.

You can view the artists’ progress on their blog — http://www.portsideartscenter.blogspot.com/