Chrysalis Art Center
We strive for community gathering and a space to foster creative thought.
About
We are a local group of artists, located in the Downingtown area with a passion for creativity and education. Our space is all-inclusive and welcoming to all, garnering a safe-space to produce artworks of all types.
Year-round studio time, workshops, parties, events etc. for all ages of emerging artists! Now open! Handicap accessible.
We also offer grad project volunteer hours for high school students! Please email Chrysalisartcenter@gmail.com.
To sign up for current available classes, go to our Registration and Products page or:
http://downingtownpa.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30357
Welcome To Chrysalis Art Center!
This has been a passion project many years in the making. I began giving art classes at the age of 9 in my backyard, gathering any neighbors that would enjoy making art with me! My mother provided me with the materials and any instructions that I needed and we were off to a great summer at the picnic table.
From there, we started our own Art division of a 4-H Club and began competing in the fair and giving speeches. As I went off to college in the sciences at Rutgers nearby, I came back for 4-H meetings, continuing as the club’s adult leader. Eventually, I went for my teacher certification in Art K-12 in NJ along with my Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers Main Campus. Having substitute taught during my junior and senior years, and student teaching K-12 th grade, I was hired right away in NJ for two years in public school as well as picking up several private recreation classes whenever possible.
I moved to PA in my mid 20’s and have been here ever since teaching in both public and private venues. PA Certified me Art K-12 and later with a Master’s Equivalency for Art Ed. Most of my PA years were spent in DASD, but also in CASD & GVSD. I also trained for Gifted Education and practiced teaching Gifted Enrichment in both DASD and WCASD at all levels K-12 loving the ability to be creative in delivering services to students in their area of strength such as art, creative dramatics, robotics, science research, Shakespeare and Model United Nations.
Having completed 40+ years in Education, I have retired from WCASD to develop programs at Chrysalis Art Center that allow for individuality and focus by interest, complex needs of children and hopefully reach out into the community to provide a place for emerging artists of all ages to find support. I have been part of a team developing this model with two young artists Jesse Best and Michael Gornee and the SBA mentoring program (SCORE) each bringing their own expertise and perspective to the project.
The center was planned to serve the community in several ways: Offer workshops for teens and adults, camps and classes for both Pre-K and elementary students, offer educational seminars in the evening, display art, frame art, consign and commission pieces. We will add more classes and activities as we fill our new space at the barn.
I hope you thoroughly enjoy your experience at our art center and share your unique perspective with us so that we can continue to grow and learn!
Sincerely,
Beth Walton Valitski
AKA Beth Walton Best
AKA Beth Walton
Hours & Location
Address
138 Moore RD.
Downingtown, PA 19335
Walk in Hours
Tuesday-Friday
12:00PM-6:00PM
Saturday
10:00AM-5:00PM
Sunday
12:00-5:00PM
Contact
