WMAN Reviving Mt. Airy Arts Alliance and Directory

by Josephine G. Winter, Executive Director, West Mt. Airy Neighbors

One of West mt airy neighbors’ most imaginative efforts began in November 1988, when the Mt. Airy Arts Alliance was formed. The initial purpose of the core group of 10 was to identify those living in and around the neighborhood who were professionally or personally involved in the arts.

The arts alliance’s first directory was published in October 1989 in the Mt. Airy Express and included over 150 talented individuals. The artists listed on those pages “provided countless opportunities for persons young and old to see the world differently, to hear new sounds, to laugh and to cry, to feel something for the very first time, to reach new personal heights,” wrote Nancy Goldenberg, former chairperson of the arts and cultural alliance. Unfortunately, programmatic shifts and changes in personnel led to the dissolution of the alliance in 2008, along with the directory.

During these post-COVID times, providing community-based opportunities for people to gather for joyous occasions and creative inspiration is critical for healing and rebuilding bonds that were weakened during the past few years of fear and isolation. Since we all know that Mt. Airy is buzzing with creativity, this seems like the perfect time to revive the alliance and directory. So that we can include all creative people in our community, our alliance advisory board has recommended renaming this effort Mt. Airy Creative Alliance.

WMAN has launched an online enrollment form and invites visual artists, musicians, culinary artists, makers, performers, builders, craftspeople, landscape architects, lighting designers — truly anyone in a creative field who could benefit from being connected in this way — to join or rejoin the Creative Alliance.

Find out more about this FREE community building effort TODAY by visiting bit.ly/3reLfQp or scanning the QR code (right).

Our goal is to include at least 200 names, along with contact information and samples of work in both print and online formats, and release the directory at the Mt. Airy Arts Festival at Allens Lane Art Center on Sept. 9. We would love help in further shaping and executing this vision. If you would like to get involved, please email me at josephine.g.winter@gmail.com.