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Chester County Press

West Chester & Chadds Ford Life Spring/Summer 2017 issue

05/23/2017 12:37PM ● By J. Chambless

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There are riches throughout West Chester and Chadds Ford, and in this issue, we uncover some people and places you might not know about.

At the Chester County Historical Society, visitors can delve into some rare documents and handle objects that lead back in time. Riches of the scenic kind are overseen by the Natural Lands Trust, which we profile in this issue. With roots that stretch back to 1953, it is the oldest and largest land conservation organization in the area. 

When it comes to the arts, Alexander Claffy is making his mark on the jazz world. He grew up in Pocopson, graduated from Unionville High School, and currently lives in Harlem. In this issue, he talks about his roots and his plans for the future. And speaking of the arts, six years ago, putting a theater in the middle of West Chester seemed like a great idea, but not really possible. But during a tour of the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, we found everything a performing arts organization could need.

In this issue, we meet industrial designer Bri Brant, of Arden + James, who has used her intuition and understanding of historic local materials to build functional art – the beautiful, end result of blending industrial and craft-based designs with the finest natural materials.

We also meet local activist Carol Metzker, who is a peaceable Quaker by faith, but who has devoted herself to battling the horror of human trafficking, both locally and worldwide. We take you to the Darlington Arts Center, which brings together music, dance, visual arts, and drama in one facility with an emphasis on multi-disciplinary programming. And in business, we look at what drew home organizer Mary Williams-Veale and fine art photographer Alessandra Manzotti together to form Spotlight, a local home staging company.  

Photo by Arhscana Images Professional dancers will perform as part of the debut show by Nickerson-Rossi Dance on June 2 3 and 4

A thriving home for all the arts

The Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center opens its first year of diverse programming Read More » 

 

Fine art photographer Alessandra Manzotti and interior space designer Mary Williams-Veale have combined their skills to form Spotlight a staging company that adds zest spark and inspiration to the products and services being offered by their clients

Get in the Spotlight 

Spotlight, a photography and visual styling service for businesses and artists in the West Chester-Chadds Ford area, is the merging together of two creative minds Read More » 

 

Photo by Jarrod Shull A double rainbow at Stroud Preserve

Standing with nature

Since the 1950s, nature has had a best friend in Natural Lands Trust. Today, the organization manages 43 nature preserves totaling 22,000 acres, and the effort to protect and preserve our... Read More » 

 

Photo archivist Pamela Powell examines some slides using a photographers loupe Powell said the CCHS is now seeing more donations of color slides Photo by Natalie Smith

Personal history questions? The CCHS Library can help

Historical Society facility is a source for all things Chester County Read More » 

 

Students get to work closely with their teachers or instructors and receive individualized attention when needed

Education, exploration and inspiration

At the Darlington Arts Center, children or adults can enjoy music, dance, art, and drama lessons and programs Read More » 

 

Carol Metzker is an activist writer and public speaker whose goal is to eradicate human trafficking and sex trafficking Photo by Natalie Smith

‘Facing the monster’ is mission of West Chester’s Carol Metzker

Activist and author endeavors to stop human trafficking Read More » 

 

QA Alexander Claffy - 05162017 1037AM

Q&A: Alexander Claffy

Playing music from the soul Read More »