Giving Tuesday

#GivingTuesday 2020

This year the Mt. Airy Art Garage (MAAG) is participating in GIVING TUESDAY. On Tuesday, December 1st, the Mt. Airy Art Garage will celebrate our new home at 7054 Germantown Avenue and we encourage the spirit of giving to help support our transition into this newly renovated space. From fundraising to volunteering, #GivingTuesday is a great way for us to engage our member community and local supporters and join in the worldwide movement that promotes generosity.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic MAAG is unable to host its annual fundraising event, The Holiday Art Market. We have also been limited in pursuing other money-making endeavors during this time. In order for us to survive, and thrive, we are asking for donations during this critical time.

Our goal is to raise $5,000. This amount would help us continue on our path of providing extracurricular activities through the Community of Pride Mural Arts program at Emlen Elementary School. Every dollar raised helps us remain a fixture in our community. MAAG connects artists to artists, provides gallery and exhibition opportunities, and a gift shop where local artisans can display and sell their creations. In this time of uncertainty, there has never been a greater need to support non-profit organizations that bring people together and celebrate people’s talents and creative spirit.

All donations to MAAG are tax-deductible as we are a 501(c)3 Organization.

Donate to MAAG Today

Call for Member Volunteers

Dear MAAG Members,
 
We hope your summer has gone well. For the Mt. Airy Art Garage (MAAG), this is an extremely momentous time as we begin our transition into our new home at 7054 Germantown Avenue.  
 
I have been a long-time member and volunteer. I even painted the wooden entrance doors at our old Mt. Airy location. I joined the MAAG Board more than a year ago. Most recently, I have taken on the responsibility of being the Volunteer Coordinator. I want to take this opportunity to extend my heart-felt thanks to the dozens of you who have volunteered for MAAG in the past, in many different capacities.
 
We have a very important upcoming event that I’d like to strongly encourage you to volunteer for. MAAG Rocks Art! is a one-day arts festival to be held in the heart of Mt. Airy on Germantown Avenue between Mt. Pleasant Avenue and Sedgwick Street on Saturday, September 14, 2019 (rain date: Sunday, September 15) from 11 AM – 5 PM. This special event is to help us celebrate our 10th Anniversary and our new home and neighbors!  
 
If you are interested in assisting with the MAAG Rocks Art! event, please reach out to me, Rick Hock, at: rshdurham@gmail.com.
 
Dr. Rick S. Hock
MAAG Volunteer Coordinator
 
P.S. If you are not able to volunteer, please consider making a tax deductible donation to our local non-profit arts organization. Thank you!

The Mt. Airy Art Garage Salon Artist Talks Takes Off!

The artists’ presentations are open-ended; the speaker can do a demonstration of their art or craft, present examples of their work, or create a unique format specific to their topic. Arlene Olshan, MAAG’s co-founder and executive director presented the first Artist Talk in February. Arleen talked about her fulfilling lifetime as an artist, teacher and therapist. Her colorful story of learning leatherwork and becoming a master leatherworker charmed her audience and lead to numerous thoughtful questions. Arleen is a good storyteller and made a great introductory speaker for this new series. MAAG is Arleen’s dream come true and we are truly grateful for her dedication.

In Emic Rizzle Tinkerer, Mary Ann Domanska took her daughter’s imaginative childhood experiences and built a wonderful novel for elementary age readers. There are elements of mystery and intrigue, as Emic boldly and fearlessly tackles the challenges of per-adolescence. This is her first published novel. The next novel, a work in progress, The Grit of Cora Belle Delany emerges from Mary Ann’s childhood in which she lived with parents who fostered dozens of children in their home. Mary Ann presented to a highly engaged audience on March 2, with her vivid descriptions of the inner life of a teenage girl in the foster system. In Cora Bell’s life there was no end to what she could fear and worry about. Sharing this fictionalized child’s life Mary Ann reveals how resilient a child can be, day after day , when life is unfriendly and she doesn’t know what tomorrow will bring. She read from a working draft of this emerging novel. This excerpt of this poignant, eloquent description of a child in “emergency temporary placement” left one wanting to hear more, to know what would become of the vulnerable, yet intensely strong young character.

When asked, what was the writing experience like for her, Mary Ann said, “ Sometimes I am in control and sometimes the character is in control.” Her immersion in writing about character and place produces imagery that is compelling and irresistible. It was a pleasure and an honor to hear Mary Ann read her work in progress. We look forward to the completion and publication of this moving, insightful tale of survival.

Please join us for future Artist Talks on the first Saturday of the month, at MAAG, 4-6pm. Light refreshments are provided and donations are welcome.