Kudos go to the Chadds Ford
Elementary School PTO for another successful art show and sale at the school.
This year’s event, held March 23 and 24, grossed $70,000 for the organization’s
educational enrichment program. One third of the proceeds — after expenses — go
to the PTO for educational enrichment and this makes two years in a row that
the net has been $20,000.
There were 70 artists taking
part in this year’s show with many being local, but all professional artists.
The featured artist this year was Paul Scarborough, a local favorite. This was
the sixth or seventh time Mr. Scarborough has been featured, but he’s displayed
in the event even without that honor. He’s been in the show for more than 30
years. He thinks about 35 years.
Another favorite who keeps
coming back is Len Garon who’s been in the show for more than 20 years. Then
there are the returning local artists such as Judy Jarvis, Barbara Tlush and
John Hannafin. Each one loves to show their works, but all have a special feel
for the school’s show.
The tradition is strong, dating
back to 1949 when Betsy Wyeth started it all while her sons Jamie and Nat were
students at the school. Since then, at least one former student at CFES — Karl
Kuerner — has become an artist in his own right and has not only displayed at
the show, but has also been a judge there.
But the most obvious thing
about the annual art show, beyond the hundreds of pieces of art on display, is
the spirit, the community spirit on display. Everyone comes out as was made
obvious by the 1,000 people who attended this year’s show. Even
Unionville-Chadds Ford School District John Sanville showed up, not just to
admire the art on display, but to also don a tuxedo and be a waiter serving
hors d’oeuvres.
It’s the community spirit that
has kept the show going for 63 years. As Scarborough said, it’s a community
school, but even beyond that, the event volunteers extend that sense of
community to the artists.
Quoting Scarborough: “This is a
fabulous show. The volunteers have just done exceptionally well in handling me,
taking care of me. I can’t say enough about the show itself. I’ve been doing it
for almost 35 years…. and every year it just gets better. The volunteers have
made this an exceptional show. They go out of the way to promote it and bring
people in.”
As long as the community
continues to rally around the school, and as long as the event volunteers care
about the community and the artists, the annual Art Sale and Show will last at
least another 63 years.
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