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Art for Everyone

Wash Arts aims to provide instruction in the fine arts to underprivileged youth. The organization also hosts poetry readings, art shows, and performances that are open to the public. In addition, Wash Arts offers adult classes, exhibits, outreach programs, and cultural events in hopes to enrich the artistic experiences of the community. Many of the artistic exhibitions and performances are held at the Inspiration Café. This venue is in partnership with Wash Arts; all proceeds benefit funding for Wash Arts. One of the organization's highlighted programs is the Creative Expressions Program. This opportunity includes classes for women in homeless shelters, blind children, and special courses for at-risk youth.

Wash Arts through the Years

Wash Arts was founded in the fall of 2002. Initially, the center only offered 7 classes to approximately 50 children. In the beginning, money was secured for the organization by State Senator, Tim Murphy, as well as through some local grants from the County Tourism Office. The non-profit organization was founded by Sandee Umbach. Ms. Umbach is a published poet who has received national recognition for her work. At Wash Arts, she acts as the organization's director while she also participates as a poetry instructor, leading teen poetry workshops in the Creative Expressions program.

Since the Fall semester of 2002, the organization has grown significantly. Currently, Wash Arts offers 20-40 classes per quarter. Over 200 adults and children attend classes at the center each quarter. In 2005, Wash Arts was chosen from over 70 applicants in the Pittsburgh area as a recipient for a Community Arts Excellence award. Wash Arts has also been recognized by Citizen's Bank, WPXI-TV, and the Pennsylvania Humanities Council for its community service and cultural efforts.

Bringing the Community Together through Art

Wash Arts is a cultural outlet for the children and adults of the Washington community. A group of student writers had their work published in an anthology entitled "One Poem at a Time." This publication was sponsored by a local bank. Wash Arts provides opportunities for children to attend classes free of charge. Furthermore, Wash Arts is an excellent place for adults to attend art, poetry, and music classes. In addition to providing an artistic education for the community, Wash Arts participates with the Inspiration Café to put on performances on a weekly basis that are open to the public. The Inspiration Café is located on South Main Street. The café is a popular venue for students and community members of Washington county. The Inspiration Café features artwork by the instructors of Wash Arts and affiliated artists to help give the café an artistic ambiance.

In addition to providing programs for children and adults in the community, Wash Arts also offers an Art Outreach Program that assists those who are less fortunate in discovering their self- expressive and creative goals. This program provides a creative outlet to those individuals in the community who are homeless or in drug recovery. Through Wash Arts, these individuals have seen their poetry published and have had the opportunity to present their work to the public.

W&J Volunteer Services and Wash Arts

Washington & Jefferson College has a healthy relationship with Wash Arts and provides support to the organization in a number of ways. The Volunteer Services Office offers positions to students who are interested in volunteering with Wash Arts. Currently, some students, primarily from the Fine Arts Department, volunteer at the organization. Many students help teach classes such as pottery, drawing, and painting. Along with student volunteers, other members of the W&J community such as professors like Dr. Mulvania have participated in events hosted by Wash Arts. Professors have participated in poetry readings and performances at the Inspiration Café. The campus Art Club has also donated proceeds from the 25th Quarter Fundraiser to Wash Arts.

One important aspect of W&J's involvement with Wash Arts is the potential for student volunteers to establish a Service Learning project through their volunteer work for the organization. For example, in the past, students working with other organizations who specialized in pre-medical studies have completed service learning projects while working at local hospitals. Some art students have suggested incorporating a Service Learning project into volunteer services for Wash Arts that would include teaching classes or participating in performances and poetry readings at the Inspiration Café. In doing this, students would have the opportunity to display their artwork while gaining experience working with the community.

Walk Through Wash Arts

Wash Arts is located inside the historic Smith Iron building in downtown Washington. The building offers an atmosphere characterized by its airy, natural, and open feeling created by the large arched windows that let in brilliant sunlight and a picturesque view of the outside skyline. The architecture is that of the 19th century Italian Renaissance, a perfect setting for the developing artist.

When entering the historic building, visitors and artists feel a sense of anticipation as they climb the majestic wooden stairwell highlighted by the organization's hand-crafted banner located on the wall. After entering the second floor classrooms, visitors are overcome with a sense of awe when gazing upon the rows of easels with colorful and creative artwork displayed on each of them. Beams of sunlight coming from the lofty windows light up the artwork and the shining wooden floors throughout the room. Collages of professional photography and an array of painting utensils are strewn throughout the room. The third floor is home to the performing arts and woodworking classes. The sounds of laughter and dramatic outbursts are heard coming from ongoing theatrical performances, while other students silently work on pottery and metal art pieces with looks of creative wonder in their eyes. Each classroom brings a sense of community through art to the Washington area.

Interview with a W&J Art Student

From my first day of volunteering, I felt completely at home at Wash Arts. The children are so sweet and eager to learn. The staff is also always helpful and friendly and extremely passionate about what they do. I really think after volunteering here that more people should know about the impact Wash Arts has had on the community. Wash Arts is constantly searching for volunteers; they are especially in need of volunteers to teach classes for the younger groups of students. I am a fine art major at Washington and Jefferson, but after working so closely with Wash Arts, I am not sure that one needs to be extremely knowledgeable and informed about art to assist with the younger children. However, it does help to have previous experience and an understanding of the concepts and aesthetics of art to help the more advanced classes. I have been working closely with the pottery instructor Judy Hopson to teach children how to throw on the pottery wheel. This is something that takes a good amount of practice to learn. Volunteering is an excellent way to provide community service while gaining art experience for fine arts majors. I love the opportunities that I have been given at Wash Arts. Although I am currently only an art major, I think that I would really like to teach art one day. At Wash Arts I have the chance to interact and teach the children every time I am there. I can already sense that this experience is going to help me in the future and I also really enjoy it. I love watching the children get so excited when they finish a project, knowing that I helped them along the way.

This narrative is based on an interview with W&J Fine Arts student, Emily Sciulli.

How to Find Wash Arts

Start out going North on South Lincoln Street/US-19 N toward East Beau Street/PA-136.
Turn left onto East Beau Street.
Turn left onto South Main Street.
End at 237 South Main Street.

Time it takes to get there (drviving): 1-2 minutes
Time it takes to get there (walking): 5-10 minutes
Distance: 0.53 miles

Where to Start

The Office of Volunteer Services is located on the upper level of the Rossin Campus Center. Students can sign up to volunteer with the director Virginia Beck to volunteer at Wash Arts. The Volunteer Services webpage is located in the Student Life section on the W&J homepage.

Students may want to contact a current volunteer Emily Sciulli if they have any questions about volunteering at Wash Arts. Her email is sciulliec@washjeff.edu

Students may also contact Wash Arts directly by contacting Sandee Umbach at 724 222 1475. She may also be reached by e-mail at sandeeumbach@msn.com

Helpful Links

http://www.washarts.org/