What is ArtReach? As its name suggests, it is an organized means of bringing art to the community. More than just an arts educational program, ArtReach is an integral part of CCAA's core mission. It's reach is unusually broad, with programs, for instance, found in suburban communities as well as traditionally poor, largely Spanish-speaking regions.

ArtReach has given migrant, disadvantaged and at risk youth the opportunity to attend free art classes and has allowed emerging and professional artists new exhibit venues to explore. New audiences have also discovered the benefits of art through ArtReach programs at HUD housing communities, a nearby veterans hospital, and local shelters.

locations

Exton Square Studio

The Exton Square Studio is a mini-art center, complete with exhibit opportunities and art classes. Located in the Exton Square Mall, in Exton Pennsylvania, the Exton studio is the only retail outlet run by an arts organization in the region. CCAA members can exhibit in the Exton studio's galleries and take part in special exhibits. For the public, the studio offers nearly year-around classes and activities.

All art classes and craft workshops are free. Recent classes have included special Mommy & Me classes for toddlers and their parents as well as workshops in such varied art forms as handmade books, portrait painting and paper mosaics. The studio is open Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 11am - 7pm.

Located on the first floor between Boscov's and H&M. 610 524 1925

schedule : download PDF for Spring/Summer 2008

Kennett Square

Free art classes are available at the Garage, a community and youth center in the heart of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Located in a former abandoned repair shop at 115. S. Union Street, the Garage provides after-school activities for youth, primarily middle and high school students.

ArtReach programs include summer camp for children as young as three and five, as well as classes in drawing, painting, basic design and art history. There are also plenty of group projects such as creating murals made of fabric and taking part in Kennett's “Art Stroll” throughout the year.
Summer Art Camp

schedule : download PDF flyer for Summer Art Camp at Kennett Square 2008
The Garage website:
http://www.garageyouthcenter.com

Coatesville VA Hospital

ArtReach is part of CCAA's mission to facilitate access to the arts for all people. That goal was one of the main reasons for establishing a free arts program at the Coatesville Veterans Hospital in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. The program is open to all veterans, but current participants have mostly come to the classes as part of the hospital's psychiatric outpatient day treatment program.

CCAA Faculty member and artist Terry DeAngelo has taught the ArtReach program for nearly five years. Once a week, a group of 18 to 25 veterans gather together with Terry, who often teaches one-on-one, guiding his students with short demonstrations to teach composition skills and color theory.

Terry, an accomplished painter whose work has been praised by Andrew Wyeth, said recently that the ArtReach program has touched everyone, including himself, in unexpected ways. "When I first started, I didn't know if I could do this. I was never the guy who could stand in front of a crowd,and talk freely" Terry says, "I am also dealing with people who are convinced that they can't be artists... This is different from any class – in art school, people want to be in class."

"At [Coatesville Veterans Hospital] I'm just asking them if they want to do this ... almost all of them say no. Then when they do start to go to class, it's a matter of convincing them that they can do it. It's not art therapy, but they they generally come to this realization that maybe I can do this. It's a small opening: They say if I can do this, I guess can do anything."

artREACH needs volunteers -- it's fun!

Call Chester County Art Association at or use our contact form .