The Center for Emerging Visual Artists is presenting Philadelphia Open Studio Tours.  It’s the largest tour of artist studios and creative spaces in the Philadelphia region and will feature Globe Dye Works artists and artisans.  The tour for studios east of Broad Street will take place Saturday and Sunday, October 15th and 16th.

Several artists with studios in the Globe Dye Works will open their studios for display.  Along with them, the Philadelphia Wooden Boat Company, which according to their website:

Operating out of a newly renovated light industrial site in the heart of Frankford, our boatbuilding and sailing programs – which include school day, afterschool, and summer sessions — help middle and high school age students develop self-esteem, improve academically, and learn valuable real life lessons.

 

Research shows that kids learn best by doing. When they have meaningful opportunities to make vital connections between what they learn in the classroom and what happens in the real world, they become more engaged and successful students.

Also included will be metalworker Jason Robert‘s new digs down at Duncan and Melrose inside the Bermuda Triangle that I call Frankford Valley.  His work includes Silk City’s Beer Garden and Northern Liberties’ Community Center.  His work is second to none and he’s settled his trade in Frankford.  It’s a must see.

The one downer is that the studio tour’s website calls both Jason Robert’s shop and the Dye Works Port Richmond.  boo.

[link] Post Studio Tours

Brett Hart

The Inquirer today features Brett Hart and the Philadelphia Wooden Boat Factory.  We covered this back in January of 2010 but its great to see it make the news citywide.  Brett is a native of this area and a graduate of Frankford Friends.  Follow this link to see the Inquirer’s coverage.

A few weeks ago, Jim noted that Google is now showing businesses on Google maps.  One of businesses that turned up in frankford was the Philadelphia Wooden Boat Factory.  That sounded interesting and I looked up their web site to see what I could find out about them.  They have recently moved into the Globe from their original location in South Philly.  It became obvious that there would be no ship construction going on in Frankford.  This turns out to be an educational/youth development program.  I emailed to find out if anybody would like to talk about it.

A couple of days later got a call from a guy named Brett who said he would be happy to give me the story and we could meet at the Globe over on Worth Street.  I met with him last Wednesday and got a better story than I had bargained for.

Brett Hart is thirty something and lived on Hawthorne Street and attended Frankford Friends.  He is the Executive director of the Philadelphia Wooden boat Factory.

They have a canoe building program that is up and running now.

PWBF Canoe Program is a long-term boat building program that is available free to eligible Philadelphia area schools.  Taking place typically over a 12-week period during either the fall or spring academic semester, Philadelphia area students (14-18 years old) work three hours a week to complete a 15-foot canoe.  Participating students become proficient with academic fundamentals and practical application of skills such as reading blueprints, understanding and using scale, linear measurement, applying material properties, applying trigonometric/geometric principle, safe tool use/care, and fine woodworking.  Additionally, in a group setting, students further develop critical/analytical thinking, problem solving, conflict resolution, responsibility, and self-reliance skills.  PWBF’s unique educational philosophy, in conjunction with the canoe project, enables students to creatively develop and apply academic, personal, and interpersonal skills in a practical hands-on environment.

In addition they are looking to start a new after school boat building program.  This pilot program is slated to begin for a group of twelve 8th grade students on January 25^th with a five-month restoration project that will lead into a competitive sailing program by June.  The restoration will entail rebuilding a boat called a Lightning.  One was in the shop the day I visited and Brett was going to pick up the second this past weekend.

I had fairly simple questions.  Safety with kids around wood working equipment is important.  The shop is equipped with a table saw that will stop if it is touched by any part of the body.  I had heard of them but never saw one in person.  The dust collection system looks up to the job.  They are partnering with the Broad Street Y for swimming lessons to make sure all the kids who go out on the water can swim. 

Anyone having an interest in this program can contact Brett Hart via email at Brett@woodenboatfactory.org.  Visit their web site for a good look at the philosophy and more pictures.

This is another of the interesting things going on over at the Globe in historic East Frankford.