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I never have been very good with Arts and Crafts, but I’m always willing to try something new for fun. Last week I went into Downtown Lancaster to “Building Character” on a Saturday Afternoon.

“Building Character” is a salvage, crafts, and homemade jewelery shop… located near Queen street. They recently just expanded.

Its of many stores in the area that either have an arts and crafts, fashion or bohemian theme on Queen st., Lancaster.
“Building Character”  and thee other shops fit nicely into Lancasters Art hub Atmosphere.

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The day I was there  the folks who run the shop had a free tutorial: making homemade wrapping paper. The creative wrapping paper above is not my work. It was cleverly made with inks, tongue and grove boards salvaged from chairs, keys, buttons and an assortment of inks and paints.

My wrapping paper is the First picture with the smiley face. Mt teachers and fellow pupils kindly did not mock my lack of artistic ability. it was alot of fun, the free pizza was cool, and I got ink all over my hands.

Building Character has hosted many free events and even concerts.
for info and art and salvage purchases  their Web site: www.buildingcharacter..biz
I’m going to go wash my hands now.

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Art has had a influence on my hometown of Lancaster, Pa for a long time. One can see it the affect of the “artist” in the cities Architecture and downtown bohemian shops. Today Lancaster is home to the Pennsylvania School of Art. down town Lancaster is dotted with small galleries.

Lancaster  has been the home of many Artists, The most famous in the world of Art was  percisionist and American Cubist, Charles Demuth. (His most Famous work: I saw the number five in gold.)

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Today, once a month, Lancaster holds a community event dubbed “First Fridays“. Every First Friday of the month  the many small galleries open their  doors and  wave admission prices. The event is held in the evening and many of the coffee house cafe’s stay open late in Downtown Lancaster.

A “first Friday” Art event is held in many cities today, however here in Lancaster its become a huge community outing. It draws thousands of people  Downtown once a month.

This First Friday I chose to spend most of my time at the
Red Raven

A Blues trio dubbed  “the Willie Marble Experience” was Rocking the small Art gallery. I can say its the first time I  enjoying Watercolor painting, post modernist Sculpture and A raunchy delta Blues cover of “Mustang Sally” all at the same time.

.The Willie Marble Xperience is touring to raise grant money for “Music for Everyone“  They are definitely worth checking out for Blues Fan in Central Pennsylvania. No admission was asked for my Blues and Art hang out, However I did by a couple CDs…. So i  also did some Xmas Shopping as well on Friday nite…of course there was plenty of art to by.

It seems the arts will continue to have along history with the Community of Lancaster.

The art pictured in this post is available for purchase at the Red Raven Art Company:
*www.redravenartcompany.com*
A full list and map of the Lancaster galleries is at   *www.lancasterarts.com* .

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This Weekend saw the The tree lighting ceremony in Downtown Lancaster…
A nice way to kick off the Holiday season.

(unfortunately I still have difficulty with night photos… The Christmas tree at Penn Square looks alot nicer than my photo to the Left)
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For the past thirty years, the celebration has included Tuba Christmas… A gathering of more than thirty Tuba and Sousaphone players…

Playing Christmas Carols.

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I love the crowds and the Buzz during this time of year, everyone seems so Lively. I don’t like to post photographs of people on this site without permission, However several thousand people of all types were scattered downtown.. you’ll just have to take my word on it.
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We seem to light up everything this time of year with a prism of effects.

Perhaps all the lights are as much to escape the darkness the North Easts Winter….
as it is to remain festive…
In any case this is my favorite time of the year here.

Lancaster County is predominately Protestant Christian with many denomination close to one and other. This is an important religious holiday for many. Although I do not follow organized religion, I’ve never felt excluded here.

Its a great time to get lost in the lights, crowd and seasonal atmosphere…
with a camera of course

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I love the idea of taking sky line pictures here in Lancaster.

This town’s colonial heritages and need for progress have often been at odds in my minds of its citizens and politicians in the past. They are more at peacefully state of  co-existing today.

Just the same, Lancaster abundance of trees have co-existed

with its asphalt and brick architectural changes.
Some the Architechure of Lancaster is older than the age of the U.S. Lancasterians have always some nature integrated in it.

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Along The Brick and occasionally slate sidewalks of Downtown

Plan and trees peacefully coexist.
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(Left) is out side the Lancaster County Court House.

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(right) is near The Central Market.

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(Below) A Tree has lived its life on Duke St.

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(below) the new convention center sneaks out

of the Shadows of a Church Steeple.

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The R.R.T.A terminal from above. I think thank could use a little more landscaping.

Cheers!

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Going up!
This is a picture i took this morning from the Top of Cabbage Hill. It is the Lancaster Convention Center, still under construction. The progress, thus far, is impressive.

This the video from advanced media group:

Is a promotion that shows what, we hope, our completed convention center will look like.

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Senator Barack Obama held a rally yesterday at the Lancaster Train Station. With The Pennsylvania Primaries coming on Tuesday, Lots of supporters came out.

This is not a political website. But this is where I was Yesterday, with several thousand other Lancasterians.

Sen. Hillary Clinton was campaigning in York, Pa. Mean while Sen. Obama was here in Lancaster, with friend and respected Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey.
The weather was beautiful and the air was thick was excitement. and I kinda chuckled when a few young girls nearly swooned beside me. The Political issues are always the most important thing, however you cant underestimate the charisma of Obama, admits the very festive atmosphere.

The Rally included a local, proud veteran, some fine Lancaster Rock bands. Senator Bob Casey (middle right  second pane) talked briefly and stood in support of Obama.
Hootenanny singer Earl Pickens received a couple humorous Jeers for mispronouncing Lancaster (its pronounced LANG-kist-er). his performance was fun and engaging he is definitely worth checking out at is site: myspace/earlpickens.

the Senator from Illinois did pronounce “Lancaster” correctly and that is the most important thing (hehe).

Some overtime for these two fellows.
The Primary is on Tuesday Aprill 22nd. Vote early and vote often!

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