If you think you're not creative, the executive director of ArtFusion 19464 says you're mistaken.
“It’s not about lacking creativity — it’s simply not knowing how to express it,” explained Julie Tonnessen. “Everyone has creativity inside them and there are many ways to show it.”
By engaging in any artistic activity, you'll gain many benefits beyond the creation itself — without your phone to distract you from being fully present.
“It allows you to release other things happening in your life,” Tonnessen stated. “It gives you time to relax and de-stress.”
Feeling of achievement
Engaging in the arts can also provide you with a feeling of achievement.
“I hear many people say, ‘it was such a great break and was so fun,’” she said. “They say, ‘I didn’t know I could do something creative,’”
Currently, there are more adults than young people taking classes at the non-profit community art center in Pottstown.
“It’s new for us to have more adults than kids taking our classes,” Tonnessen remarked, adding that classes are designed for various age groups.
Pottery, jewelry making and stained glass are currently their most popular offerings for adults. They are either offered as either a one or two-day workshop or a six to eight-week series of classes that take place either in the evenings, on weekends or during the day.
“Our one-day workshops give a taste to explore,” Tonnessen said. “People will jump around until they find one that clicks.”
Conventional jewelry-making techniques
In their jewelry-making class, participants learn traditional jewelry-making techniques.
“They learn how to solder, hammer, shape, saw, drill and torch metal,” she said.
Their one-day jewelry-making workshop enables participants to make a stamped intention ring.
“A stamped intention ring gives people the opportunity to set intentions for the next year,” Tonnessen said, adding people choose a word and either put it on the inside, so it’s close to the heart, or outside, for all to see. “It’s a mindful and creative exercise.”
They like to cap most of their classes at ten people since it’s a size that’s most beneficial to those attending.
“It makes everyone feel connected and people can make connections — our classes have a lot of fun together because people talk and get community going,” she said, adding another benefit. “The instructor can give one-on-one attention to every student.”
Introduction to stained glass
In their introduction to stained glass class, participants make a stained glass panel during the six-week course.
They can learn how to pick colors and patterns, cut pieces, and work with glass by grinding, foiling, and soldering, she explained. They also provide one-day stained glass workshops to make it easier to fit into your schedule.
Most recently, they have started a new drawing class.
They complete a new drawing project each week, including still lifes, shading, drawing bodies, and learning various techniques to enhance their drawing skills.
ArtFusion’s pottery classes offer the choice of using the wheel or hand-building clay.
Attendees can focus on the specific skills they want to learn, she mentioned.
If you're interested in upcycling your own table, you can join their mosaic class and design the top with colorful tiles.
ArtFusion offers different classes each semester, with the current focus being on the spring semester.
The stained glass class starting on April 3 still has space, she noted, so there are many opportunities to sign up for.
Art retreat
They are also organizing a two-day weekend art retreat for adults on June 8 and 9.
The retreat will take place from 9 AM to 4 PM each day and includes lunch. Participants will be able to work on jewelry, pottery, and a mosaic birdhouse.
If you want to turn the weekend into a true vacation, they have partnered with Three Daughters Inn, a bed and breakfast in Pottstown that can accommodate you for a stay.
No matter which retreat or class you choose to take among all of ArtFusion’s offerings, Tonnessen said they all have a connection to the past.
By using traditional techniques, they connect you to all the artisans and crafters who came before you, she explained.
ArtFusion 19464 is a non-profit community art center that has been serving Pottstown since 2005. They offer a wide range of classes for kids, teens, and adults, as well as one- and two-day workshops. Their gallery hosts rotating exhibits featuring local artists, instructors, and students. For more information, visit www.artfusion19464.org
