ARTS IN THE COMMUNITY ////
goggleWorks at 10!
G
oggleWorks Center for the Arts is pleased to announce the appointment of Levi Landis as its new executive director beginning March 1st, 2016. Landis is an accomplished nonprofit administrator and artist with nearly 15 years of experience managing public organizations in Central Pennsylvania and Greater Philadelphia. “I am honored to join GoggleWorks during its 10th anniversary year,” Landis said. “GoggleWorks employs a protean approach to the arts, which inspires individuals to create and learn, promotes high-quality artists in their respective fields, and builds community in Berks County and beyond. I hope to expand on the incredible vision of the GoggleWorks’ founders and Board by inspiring the capable staff to develop an international reputation, diverse funding sources, and new audiences.” Landis joins the GoggleWorks as it gears up for Summer 2016, when they offer not only term classes and workshops in a variety of mediums, but also themed and medium-based summer camps for local children and teens. Running from June-August, the 2016 Summer Workshop series will include sixteen workshops, working in the mediums of ceramics, lampworking, glassblowing, kiln casting, alternative processes in photography and woodworkingfostering both collaboration and conversation in contemporary art practices. The workshops range from beginner to advanced in skill level and run 5 days or 3 days in length, with GoggleWorks providing local housing and meal plan options at an additional charge. This year’s visiting artists include ceramicist, Martina
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Avenues Spring 2016
Lantin, of Alberta College of Art and Design; photographer, Craig J. Barber, who teaches antiquarian processes like tintypes and ambrotypes; glass artist, Simone Crestani, from Vicenza, Italy; and fine furniture-maker, Craig V. Stevens, whose work has been exhibiting throughout the United States and Japan. GoggleWorks’ campus, which includes six teaching studios--ceramics, hot and warm glass, woodworking, metalsmithing and photography--is a vibrant and communal atmosphere. Each summer visiting artists, working in a variety of mediums, are invited to teach over a dozen intensive workshops, exhibit their work in an annual exhibition Ways of Making, and educate the public about their process through a series of public lectures and demonstrations. Located just across the Penn Street bridge in downtown Reading, GoggleWorks’ building originally opened its doors in 1871 as the world’s first factory to manufacture optical glass for lenses and reading glasses. Renovated and reopened in 2005, much of the original industrial charm remains a backdrop to a vibrant community of 35 juried artists’ studios, several gallery spaces, a movie theatre showing art house films daily, and a cafe. The community arts center is like no other in the country, offering arts education, exhibitions, special events, and public programming year round.
GoggleWorks 201 Washington St, Reading, PA goggleworks.org