BELLEFONTE — On Sunday, June 3, downtown Bellefonte will be holding an outdoor sidewalk sale, and local crafters and artisans will be on hand for what is being called ‘Pop-Up Bellefonte.’ The event is meant to promote the local arts, shopping and dining scene, and get people excited about coming to Bellefonte.
Last November, local business owners Ellen Matis (Hello Social Co.) and Carly Andriaccio (Bone Bar & Boutique), and Shannon Wright, who works for the Bellefonte Borough, started working with the Bellefonte Keystone Community Development Association in an effort to bring more people to the downtown area to shop. They were instrumental in stirring more interest in First Sunday Bellefonte, when businesses were asked to stay open and offer more for locals and visitors to do in Bellefonte on a Sunday.
BelleKey recently changed its name to Downtown Bellefonte Inc.
Lori Fisher, of the Bellefonte Art Museum, brought her expertise to the group, too. BAM started the First Sunday movement 10 years ago, offering gallery shows and children’s art activities. Fisher has been the coordinator for BAM First Sundays, and she now is working with the others to make ‘Pop-Up Bellefonte’ a fun and rewarding day.
“We are all wanting to show off Bellefonte,” said Fisher.
The hope is that in addition to checking out the art galleries at the museum, visitors to Bellefonte and locals will stroll the streets, visit boutiques and shops, have coffee and relax in Talleyrand Park. There is much to appreciate about Bellefonte, but Sundays have not always been the ideal day to discover that. Those planning the event hope to change things with the First Sunday ‘Pop-Up Bellefonte’ experience.
Then, on Sunday, July 1, during the ‘Chalk the Walk’ event, Bellefonte will come alive with colorful artwork created on the sidewalks of High Street and Allegheny Street. This event, a fundraiser that benefits Downtown Bellefonte Inc., will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The drawings will be judged, and individuals, businesses and organizations can buy a square and proceed to show their talent by decorating their squares with colored chalk. Squares are $15 and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com.
The Bellefonte Art Museum, partner for the activity, is supplying the chalk. BAM also is offering to pair those who would like to take part but are a bit skeptical of their abilities with local professional or student artists.
Participants can register and pick up chalk at the Centre County Courthouse beginning at 10 a.m. The judging will include three categories: business/organization, non-business/ organization and family/children.
The First Sundays are not the only events and activities for the BAM this summer. For the months of June and July, the museum will be open Thursdays and Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4:30 p.m.
The museum is offering many activities that are interactive or co-creative. These include mural painting, fiber arts punch rug creating, felt belt making and hat making, to name a few. In the Community Gallery, visitors will be invited to add dots to a room where “Our Earth Is Only One Polka Dot Among a Million Stars in the Universe” is a theme.
The Photography Gallery, a photo wall and Wishing Tree inspired by Yoko Ono will encourage people to add their photos and wishes. Materials to make Life Circles will be available. These are inspired by the Native American tradition of winter counts. Pat House will direct this station.
In the Children’s Centre, Lego Paintings inspired by artist Ai Weiwei will be on display. Youngster can create portraits by using Legos over actual images with Judy Catherman.
The Tea Room will feature Mobile Art inspired by Alexander Calder and orchestrated by volunteer artist Dave Kolasa.
Other upcoming community activities at BAM include:
■Creating with the Potter’s Guild of Central Pa., Saturday, June 16, and Sunday, June 17
■ Co-creating music with the World Rhythm Academy, of Brooklyn, N.Y., Saturday, June 30, and Sunday, July 1
■ EcoArt with Nicole Tucker, Thursday, July 12, through Saturday, July 14
For more information, visit www.bellefontemuseum.org or call (814) 355-4280.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated. An earlier version contained some incorrect information.
