Art-Environment Initiative

24/02/2026

What fun to be included in this new podcast- Meadville in the making. Here’s the link: https://meadvillecrc.org/meadville-in-the-making/

Part Two of our interview with modern maker, Amara Geffen, is live! Amara's story expands from studio walls into the streets, parks, waterways, and gateways of our region.

In this episode, Amara Geffen shares how her work with Allegheny College’s Center for Economic and Environmental Development (CEED) reshaped her artistic trajectory. What began as engaging students in conversations about art, sustainability, and economic development evolved into a decades-long commitment to collaborative public art and placemaking. The shift proved transformative: from gallery-based practice to work that lives in public space—work that belongs to the community and brings it together.

We walk through the projects that have quietly and boldly changed Meadville’s landscape. The revitalization of Market Alley. Shadybrook Park’s renewal. Mill Run’s emergence as a visible and celebrated asset flowing through—and under—our city.

The Arc Community Greenspace, recognized with a Great Places Award by the PA Chapter of the American Planning Association.
The 960 Parklet, made possible through the T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program (awarded to only 25 cities across the country) and the Crawford Heritage Community Foundation.

And the PennDOT “Signs & Flowers” and Road Sign Art installation that thousands drive past daily—arguably the most recognizable public artwork associated with Meadville.

She also reveals the surprising story behind a little-known installation at the I-79 interchange. (Go to the comments for a link to a full list or her work.)

Looking forward, Amara outlines her vision as part of the Meadville Community Revitalization Corporation the Meadville Community: advancing updates to Market Alley, greening parts of North and Water Streets, and softening the Arch Street/French Creek Parkway through landscaping that reshapes first impressions of downtown.

We close, as always, with a spirited round of Echo vs. Sound Offs—where Ron gets a schooled by Amara.

Most of us have never consciously thought about how art intersects with economic development, environmental stewardship, and civic identity, but this episode brings it all together with clarity and inspiration. After listening, you’ll be saying “Are you Geffen kidding me,” as you Meadville a little differently.

You can find Episode 9 on all your favorite podcast providers at the link here - https://meadvillecrc.org/meadville-in-the-making/ (Part 1 can also be found there too.)

15/09/2025

Join us this coming Sunday September 21st 1 - 3pm!

Join us September 21st from 1 - 3pm for SUN DAY, a clean energy fair that's part of a nationwide day celebrating solar and renewable energy and their use in our community. Featuring: electric vehicles, clean energy resources, live music (Paul Groh and Vanilla Bean), and children’s activities that Celebrate the Sun! Mayor Jamie Kinder will present a proclamation making September 21 “Sun Day” in Meadville, and attendees can help create a map of where clean energy is being used in the community. Sponsored by The City of Meadville, the UU Church and Third Act-PA. Rain location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville (346 Chestnut St.)

08/08/2025

Meadville Community Revitalization Corporation is seeking volunteers with a range of experience to help us build and raise a unique, hand-crafted shelter for the 960 Park Ave Parklet.

The project is being implemented through the Timber Framer Guild's 40 x 40 initiative which celebrates their 40th anniversary. Visit https://www.tfguild.org/40-frames-for-40-years to learn more, but the gist is that 40 TFG members each will design and lead one local project resulting in a hand-crafted timber structure in their home community (hence 40 frames for 40 years).

Volunteers will work with local timber framer David Yasenchack over the course of two long weekends in September (9/12 (F), 9/13 (Sa), 9/14 (Sun) and 9/26 (F), 9/27 (S), 9/28 (Sun). Current plans are to work 9 - 5 at a studio near Cambridge Springs; lunch will be provided. We hope to do the raising in October.

All relevant details are included in the volunteer sign up form that we recently helped craft. https://forms.gle/9MnLkbn3mXa1g21f8

Please help spread the word and consider signing up!

08/08/2025

3D Renderings of the 960 Park Ave Parklet! We've helped Meadville Community Revitalization Corporation (MCRC) create an online fundraising campaign to help us get to the finish line. Here's a link....we encourage our friends and supporters of our work to visit our campaign: https://meadvillecommunityrevitalizati.betterworld.org/campaigns/960-park-ave-parklet

08/08/2025

Sharing old but still exciting news! We've been working with the Meadville Community Revitalization Corporation and the Meadville Redevelopment Authority on design and development of a new Parklet adjacent to The Arc Community Greenspace. In June MCRC announced that we received a TMobile Hometown Community grant and additional support from the Crawford Heritage Community Foundation. The new 960 Park Ave Parklet, designed with community input and assistance from Landscape Architect Alessandra Galetti, will beautify this important Gateway into downtown Meadville, expand access to greenspace in downtown, and collaborate with The Arc Community Greenspace on programming family friendly community events. Gotta love teamwork in Meadville. Big shout out to everyone who offered suggestions on site design. We'll be posting updates here and on MCRC's website and social media once work gets underway. Stay tuned!

24/06/2025

This article shows how cities can make good choices that lead to both/and solutions. Why force a choice between affordable housing and saving a community art garden when you can get both? Both are valuable. Both are essential to quality of life. When communities work together good things happen!

After fighting for years against a proposal to flatten the garden to build affordable housing, advocates welcome a new deal with the city that spares the beloved green space.

09/06/2025

Highly recommend this. Jan Van Boeckel's talks are always so inspiring!

Promoting scholarly dialogue about transformational approaches that facilitate opportunities for profound change in education & research.

07/06/2025

Such a cool idea!

☀️ Summer's here — let’s code!

We’re so excited to announce TWO June programs, both perfect for beginners ages 7-11! Foundational coding skills and fun, creative projects = a summer well spent. 😎

Micro:bit Series: Signals and Stillness
📅 June 17–20 | 9–11 AM
💡 A hands-on intro to coding with the micro:bit mini computer!

Series 01: Discovering Code and Calm
📅 June 23–28 | 9–11 AM
🧘 Code with calm, creativity, and purpose. Great for brand-new coders!

📍 Both at Meadville Public Library
🔗 Check out all the details + register now: https://codebloomlabs.com/programs.php

02/03/2025

March kicked off with last night's fantastic Poetic Evenings event. We look forward to hosting more in the future!

Our calendar is jam packed this month with tons of great workshops, classes, meetups, and events... including our upcoming Red Eye Theater Project and our Membership Kickoff Event!!

Registration forms...
Sip N Stab: https://forms.gle/7SKLaF12zzeKDkWD9
Goauche Illustration: https://forms.gle/dcwxoVtkCA7jDU4E6
Red Eye Project: https://forms.gle/8kPvEbREfZG8zq5s5