2019 Inspirational Stories from Community Arts Organizations

The Carbon County Art League's September meeting will feature guest speaker/moderator, Amber Breiner from the Carbon County Community Foundation, to introduce the basics of what it takes to build a viable nonprofit. She’ll also share information about funding opportunities and we'll hear inspirational stories from others who have successfully launched arts organizations in the Coal Region: Deborah Cooper (CEO The Arts Barn Gallery & Education Center in Orwigsburg), Kevin Smith (Founder of WagonWorks Maker Space / Artists Studios in Tamaqua) and Albert L. Evans, Jr. (Founder and Chairman of the WalkIn Arts Center in Schuylkill Haven)

This free event will be both inspirational and educational. Don't miss it!

The event is located in the yoga studio at Seventh Moon Wellness Spa, please be courteous to their clients. You will access the yoga studio through their main lobby. This is a calm, relaxing, quiet environment - perfect for inspiration and creativity.



More information:

Amber Breiner, Carbon County Community Foundation
Amber Breiner has been President and CEO of the Carbon County Community Foundation since 2017. The Foundation launched the Carbon County Creative Arts Fund in 2018 through the efforts of community member/donor Kathy Fallow and an advisory group of volunteers and donors formed to organize fundraising efforts. Their Art with a View event (planned this year for 10/10) is both an opportunity to raise funds to support nonprofit groups related to the arts and a chance to showcase and support the talented artists of Carbon County. Learn more at https://cccfoundpa.org/carbon-county-arts-fund/


Albert Evans, WalkIn Arts Center
Albert L. Evans, Jr. Chairman of Evans Delivery Company, Inc., Schuylkill Haven, PA, is the Founder and Chairman of the Walk In Art Center, Schuylkill Haven, PA. Established in 2011, Evans founded the art center with the mission to Inspire, Equip & Celebrate the cultural & creative talent of Schuylkill County. Since 2011, under the direction of Evans the center has expanded to be a host to 19 in house studio artists and 30 associate artists. Evans is known for his philanthropic work within the community and most recently was awarded the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, Lifetime of Service Award. Learn more at https://walkinartcenter.org/


Deborah Cooper, The Arts Barn
Deborah Cooper of Schuylkill Haven operated The Toy Barn, born of her desire to give her kids the best toys out there. Toys that were educational, fun and well made. Since that store closed, the space became a repository of all sorts of interesting but unused antiques. The Arts Barn was born when she realized that most of her friends were artists, all hard working and very talented, and yet they had no outlet for their work except the occasional art show. The antiques became the showcases for the art, and the walls that once held shelves of crafts, music, and dolls became the walls that now hold incredible works of arts. Learn more at https://theartsbarn.org/


Kevin Smith II, WagonWorks
Kevin is the founder and developer of WagonWorks, an Artist Studio/ Maker Space in Tamaqua PA. Sensing the need for space to create, and while being involved in networks of Artistic and Community based projects, Kevin worked with the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership to find a suitable building to buy and develop. It has transformed into a creative and collaborative hub that fosters ideas and encourages the imagination. Inside of WagonWorks you will find and meet a variety of artists, engineers, scientists, builders, musicians, thinkers, students and teachers. All inspiring one another to help develop ideas and express oneself.
For more info visit: www.wagonworks.org


The Carbon County Art League is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that supports the arts and artists in and around Carbon County. Through monthly meetings, an annual judged art exhibition and participation in other community events the Carbon County Art League aims to make art more accessible to all who are interested in learning, making it a career or simple enjoying art.