Photos of Art in the Bar by Todd Spitler |
The CHL Creates Opportunity
By Madeline Masters
It’s not enough just to talk about being an artist. We all need to get out there and be artists. With this in mind, the CHL has found ways to promote their members’ productivity and creativity. By working together, sharing information, and using each others’ connections and services, the CHL has done a lot to give their artists opportunities to create.
CHL leaders worked together to set up Art in the Bar at The Alley Kat last year. This promotion provided a new gallery space in an existing establishment for CHL members and other interested artists. By having their work displayed in a popular Lancaster venue, participating artists greatly increased their visibility and chances of selling their work. Josh Horn, an illustrator living in the downtown area, said participating in Art in the Bar gave him a chance to display his work “in unique locations throughout Lancaster.” The group plans to hold similar events at other venues in the near future.
CHL members are definitely benefiting from meeting other artists and professionals from the area.
“I entered a five-minute film festival with some other CHL members. It was a fun project, and I would never have done it without meeting people from the CHL,” said Derek Lau, a videographer who splits his time between Marietta and Philadelphia. “I also feel strongly enough about the group to bring others into it,” he added. For example, Lau invited a friend of his, Chris Haus, to perform at the CHL Christmas party.
The CHL of course encouraged other members and friends of the organization to help with the festivities. Allen Clements oversaw the video coverage for the event, and Jennifer McMorris captured several golden moments in photographs.
Also during the Christmas season, CHL members were given the chance to run a booth at the Community Art Martket at Eastern Market. For two weekends, one in late November, the other in early December, artists and craftspeople could display and sell their work, from paintings to photographs to jewelry and holiday cards.
Even this very publication is an opportunity for CHL members. Writers can get articles published in the e-zine. The site always needs good photos and illustrations to go with the stories. And any member who is the subject of an article receives international exposure (the CHL serves subscribers as far as China!).
The entire CHL organization is set up to provide opportunities for Lancaster citizens to grow as artists and practice their craft. So far, the team has been quite successful. As the CHL progresses, we can be sure we will all receive more chances to share our talents and ourselves with the Lancaster community and the world around us.