Beginning today, artists representing a variety of talents will come together in Pottsville for the seventh annual Block of Art.
The festival will be held in various locations in the downtown district through Sunday. A wide range of galleries are planned to appeal to all types of artistic aesthetics, including painting, photography and music.
This year's Block of Art will act as a homecoming for pianist John Kline. The Pottsville native is scheduled to perform at 2 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church, Third and West Market streets.
"I am very excited to be performing again in my hometown. Although it feels great to perform for an audience anywhere, I always have a special relationship with the people of Schuylkill County," Kline said.
A senior piano performance major at West Chester University, Kline, 22, said he has been playing piano for 17 years. He has played recitals in Fort Worth, Texas, New Orleans and Guiyang, China. He has also performed at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia twice, in addition to many recitals at West Chester and with the West Chester Symphony Orchestra.
Locally, Kline performed with the Schuylkill Symphony Orchestra when he was a senior at Pottsville Area High School.
On Sunday, he will perform pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach, Frederic Chopin, Ludwig van Beethoven, Maurice Ravel and Sergei Prokofiev.
"Most of the music will be quite foreign to people not familiar with classical music, but due to its timelessness, it always finds a way to relate to any and all listeners," Kline said.
He said he first became acquainted with the Block of Art after his sister, Julia, had work displayed in exhibitions while in high school. He even provided music from some exhibits at the Art and Ethnic Center on Mahantongo Street.
"In that way, I suppose, I am very familiar with Block of Art and what it accomplishes," Kline said.
The festival continues to grow every year, according to Kay Jones, executive director of Schuylkill County's VISION, a partner of Block of Art.
She said 127 pieces were submitted by artists this year, up from about 85 in 2012. Visitors will be able to experience the art at the festival's two main galleries, Studio L on South Centre Street and the gallery at 205 W. Market St.
A new addition to the Block of Art weekend will be an art auction at 7:30 p.m. today at Sovereign Majestic Theater, 209 N. Centre St. The event will give visitors a chance to purchase fine local art at reasonable prices. Admission is free but there is a $5 bidder fee.
A special program will be held at 123 Mahantongo St. featuring Francisco Poblet. The artist, who was mentored by influential 20th century artist Salvador Dali, will be on hand previewing his newest show beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Also at 123 Mahantongo St., poets will be holding a reading at 3 p.m. Sunday. The event was a hit at last year's event so organizer decided to bring it back.
"We learn from each year previously what will have appeal by the audience," Jones said.
Another popular exhibit is the Art Mart, which allows visitors to purchase pieces by local artists. The mart will be held at 108 N. Centre St. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Activities and other exhibits will be held throughout Pottsville in accordance with the Block of Art. It is a sign of how the community has embraced the event over the last seven years.
"There will be lots of other wonderful things other groups are doing, too," Jones said.
For more information on the Block of Art, visit www.block-of-art.org.