Artist Spotlight: Josh Simpson

This month, Phoenixville’s Barnstone Gallery has had the chance to host an art exhibit that is out of this world. Space shuttles and astronauts were not on location, but miniature representations of our massive galaxy have made an appearance, brought to the gallery by Western Massachusetts artist Josh Simpson, whose handcrafted glass “planets” have made a safe landing in Phoenixville.

Like most space discoveries, Josh’s ultimate profession as a glass artist was not something planned. As a psychology major at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, Josh took art classes, but did not specialize in art. When an opportunity occurred to take classes in a field he was interested in, Josh transferred for a semester to Goddard College in Vermont to study glassblowing, only to discover their glass studio had been dismantled. With the help of another student, Josh used the materials on the premises to make “the most rudimentary glass furnace imaginable,” he recalled, “but it worked!”

Since then, Josh’s glassblowing equipment has advanced to a more professional level, as he has made is profession from selling his handmade glass pieces. One of his most popular and favorite things to create are what he calls “planets,” small glass structures that recreate what the globe, or other planets, may look like from a distance. “Imagine you are an astronaut flying around one of these little glass globes,” Josh said, “and you can see enormous oceans and continents and mountain ranges. Imagine that it’s populated with some sort of intelligent life.”

Like the hypothetical astronaut flying around one of Josh’s “planets,” Josh himself has had the opportunity to fly around the globe, bringing his artwork to places far and wide. This past year, Josh and his artwork have made appearances in New Zealand at the Chronicle Gallery in Wanganui, where he gave a lecture and taught glassblowing at the Sarjeant Arts Museum. “Ten years ago, I went to New Zealand for the first time and I taught there…and had a fantastic time.” Josh said, “It was particularly nice to go back to Wanganui because a lot of the students I had ten years ago came back to study again.” More recently, Josh visited Prague where he completed a 2-person exhibit at the historic Prague Castle.

Although many of Josh’s pieces come from his personal inspiration, some of it has received cosmic assistance from beyond our atmosphere. Josh’s wife, NASA astronaut Cady Coleman has returned from two separate space launches with images that Josh has used for inspiration in his own work. Using “incredibly beautiful images of black holes and neutron stars,” Josh has recreated these images into small glass objects that can be experienced by anyone, not just astronauts.

As a continuation on his work with “planets,” Josh’s Infinity Project has also gained popularity. “I take little planets and hide them around the world,” he said, “They’re not signed; it just has an infinity symbol on the bottom. They’re little glass spheres. If left undisturbed a planet can be in the ground for hundreds or even thousands of years.” Over 1,700 participants have hid these globes all over the world since 2000.

Josh’s Infinity Project may stand the test of time across deserts and oceans around the world, but his Megaplanet project has conquered more than just the globe. In 2005, Josh was commissioned by the Corning Museum of Glass in New York to help with a project. Upon realizing they had 999 paperweights in their collection, the Museum approached Josh to make the 1,000^th paperweight to make it “something really, really special. There was a catch to it—that paperweight had to be the biggest one ever made.” The largest one previously made weighed 26 pounds, also made by Josh. Within the next 18 months, through a series of trial and error, Josh and his team constructed this paperweight. “I made 14 of them before I got one that was successful.” Josh said, “And that planet is in the permanent collection of the museum.” Clocking in at a massive 100 pounds, it is believed to be the world’s largest paperweight.

The level of success was also met with a lot of hassle and danger. “(The glass) is a liquid and it doesn’t care about you, the artist, at all. It just wants to drip on the floor. If I made a mistake, it was possible that someone could get really injured. That much weight of that much liquid molten glass is really a force to reckon with.” Josh recalled, “It was really a challenge for me.”

Josh’s exhibit can be seen at the Barnstone Gallery from October through December and all pieces will be available for purchase.

Previously published at www.phoenixvillenews.com

Phoenixville Library honors former children's librarian Joan McIntyre

On Saturday, September 26, 2009, the Phoenixville Public Library held a dedication ceremony to celebrate the work of former Children’s Librarian, Joan McIntyre who worked at the library for 17 years. The brief ceremony allowed members of the community to honor the memory of their beloved librarian and introduce the McIntyre Outreach Program, a plan to help bring literacy to young children all across Phoenixville.

The heartwarming tribute brought friends, family and people in the community, many of whom, at one point or another, attended one of Joan’s frequent and very popular book readings. After earning two Masters Degrees, Joan began to work at the library in 1980 and remained there through 1997. It was one of her goals to see every child in the area have the opportunity to understand about the importance of reading and to have the necessary tools in order to facilitate learning. According to Susan Mostek, Director of Development at the library, the program focuses on early literacy within preschools around the area, especially those with “limited funding or access to professional storytellers.”

Included in the ceremony was the dedication of a plaque, set to hang inside the library. On it reads a quotation from Joan herself: “The expression of love in a child’s face is its own reward.” And, according to those who knew her the best, this was Joan’s approach throughout her many years at the Phoenixville Library. According to the Library’s Executive Director, John Kelley, who worked with Joan, “Joan looked for goodness in every child. Our job was to find that goodness and let it shine.”

Guests who attended the event had the pleasure of hearing the Owen J. Roberts concert choir sing “Homeward Bound.” Shelia McIntyre, director of the choir and Joan’s daughter, led the small group on piano. Included in the attendees were Eileen and Jerry Spinelli, writers who knew Joan very well. In Eileen’s children’s book When Mama Comes Home Tonight, the dedication reads, “To Joan McIntyre and the staff and friends of Phoenixville Library.” “She was great for kids,” Eileen says, “She was supportive of the young writers in the community.”

The McIntyre Outreach Program includes different ways to get young children excited about reading. Over the last few months, the program has received $800 in donations from the community and a $500 mini-grant from the Phoenixville Community Education Foundation. The Library was also the winner of the Kiwanis Youth Service Award in the form of a $1000 donation. With the help of these donations, the Library already has plans underway, including a library cart filed with hardcover children’s books and puppets that will travel to local preschools and daycares. It is what current Children’s Librarian Sandra Giannella calls a “traveling show.” The program also funds and includes book “sacks” that contain CDs, books and instructions on how to further the program. They are available to check out at the library and can be checked out for a whole month.

“This is exactly what my mom was trying to work for,” says Joan’s daughter, Kathleen McIntyre, who attended the event. Andrew McIntyre, Joan’s only son was greatly honored to see Joan’s program come together with so much support, “I’d like to thank the Library and city of Phoenixville who made an effort to keep her memory going. My mother dedicated 17 years to the children of Phoenixville and it’s nice to see it keep going.”

Might Mighty Bosstones "skank" their way into the new decade

When one of my favorite bands releases a new CD, it almost feels like Christmas Day—with the exception of obscure relatives, A Christmas Story on an endless loop, and flannel footy pajamas. My anticipation is palpable as I excitedly peel the plastic from the CD case, curse at the packaging and as a result, cut my finger on the case. It has been over 5 years since the Mighty Mighty Bosstones have released a new album, so this experience was intensely heightened as I waited for the CD to arrive in my mailbox. When the day came and my wait was finally over, I couldn’t wait another minute to put the CD on my computer and have a listen.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have been around for years—since 1983, to be exact. These Boston-area musicians have spent many years on the ska-punk circuit, performing shows worldwide with bands like Dropkick Murphys and Aerosmith. The band’s claim to fame, however, occurred in 1995 when the band made an appearance in the beloved Valley Girl comedy, Clueless, playing their tracks “Where Did You Go?” and “Someday I Suppose.”

Their newest album, “Pin Points and Gin Joints,” showcases the band’s talents as a ska band, while perpetually reassuring fans that they have something to prove after all these years. The album’s 14 tracks are laden with saxophone and trumpet pieces, truly solidifying the upbeat, dance-worthy sentiments behind the ska genre. Singer Dicky Barrett’s liquor-soaked voice, to this day, still defies definition.

Put simply, the album radiates nostalgia. The Bosstones’ new CD takes few chances—but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Many of the songs are very reminiscent of their last album “A Jackknife To A Swan,” with quick beats and sing-along choruses. The first track, “Graffiti Worth Reading,” starts the album off on an upbeat note, followed quickly by a personal favorite, eloquently titled, “Nah, Nah, Nah, Nah, Nah.” The song is filled with catchy hooks and simple lyrics—the perfect song to blast in the car on a hot summer day.

Though the album starts out strong, I have a few qualms regarding a few middle tracks, including “I Wrote It” and “Sister Mary.” I can’t quite put my finger on it, but as a fan of mosh-inducing, fast-paced music, the slower tracks don’t catch my attention when skipping around the album on my computer. Suffice it to say, I guess a little variety is often necessary, and these songs are far from horrible.

Saving the best for last, the Bosstones finish the album with three horn-laden tracks, ending their newest release on a memorable note. “The Bricklayer’s Story” features a highly addicting chorus, proving Barrett has one of the most dynamic voices in the ska world.

Time to bring out the lighters for the final song. “A Pretty Sad Excuse,” takes the intensity down a notch, but not the excitement. Though it starts out with a slow tempo, it picks up for the last half. The change-up is completely surprising and is probably one of the standout tracks on the album.

Since its release, “Pin Points and Gin Joints” has been on a constant loop, both in my head and on my iPod. And the five-year wait has been well worth it.

Final Grade: A-

Bouncing Souls celebrate 20 years

For most Americans, 20^th birthday celebrations are fairly uneventful. You’ve already gained the right to vote and buy cigarettes. Twenty-one is within reach, but not yet, meaning there will be no (legal) alcohol-fueled celebrations. It is the unfortunate limbo between finally escaping those awkward teenage years and becoming what most consider a “real” adult. For the Bouncing Souls, punk rock veterans and East Coast enthusiasts, this milestone didn’t have to wait another year.

Throughout 2009, the Bouncing Souls celebrated twenty years together, inviting fans worldwide to join the party—and they weren’t checking IDs at the door. For the past year, the Souls released a new downloadable track on the first of every month, ultimately compiling these songs on to a CD that dropped in January. The CD, titled Ghosts on the Boardwalk, is an homage to what the band has stood for over the span of two decades—good times, great music, and an even greater sense of pride in what they do.

It’s easy for a band to record music for twenty years—some of them should have called it quits years ago. Celebrating the Souls’ twenty years in the business is unique—they have been D.I.Y. from the start, recording, touring, and promoting their music without the help of major labels or MTV. Bryan, Greg, Michael and “The Pete” have spent years on the road and have met thousands of fans, but their Jersey pride always brings them home at least once a year. Since 2007, the band has been recognizing their roots with their “Home for the Holidays” concerts, held in Asbury Park after Christmas. Fans near and far make the pilgrimage to a days-long nonstop celebration featuring after parties and meet and greets. Over the years, the show openers have varied from rap to “circus punk”—but there is always something for everyone. And fans never go home disappointed.

Souls devotees defy any specific demographic. “Tweens” and senior punkers alike have spent years debating with friends about their favorite songs, concerts and memories. At the age of twelve, after (legally) downloading “Gone” from their 2001 album How I Spent My Summer Vacation, I was instantly hooked. In the decade since, four additional CDs have been released, proving it is possible to successfully do what you love without the politics of major labels. The Ghosts on the Boardwalk is the crowning achievement of this—a dozen tracks that show listeners where the band has been and where they plan to go in the future.

The album bleeds passion, with every song serving as a reminder that the Souls show no signs of slowing down. Tracks like “Gasoline,” “We All Sing Along,” and “Boogie Woogie Downtown,” provide listeners with heartfelt, thought-invoking lyrics and plenty of “whoas” and “ohhs.” “I Think That the World,” and “Mental Bits” are lighthearted and optimistic songs with infectious beats that make you want to, well, just dance. Or push your way to the moshpit .

Many early era Bouncing Souls songs were all about having fun, going to shows, and doing what you love. Their song “Badass” harkens back to these times, citing all sorts of “badass stuff,” including Kung Fu, broken bones, and Harley Davidsons. The Bouncing Souls may have been around for a while, but they definitely have not lost their sense of humor.

The album’s last track “Never Say Die/When You’re Young,” leaves listeners with sage advice—to pursue your dreams and to always have a positive outlook along the way. I had intended for this to be a CD review. What resulted was an experience review. The Bouncing Souls cannot truly be experienced through a YouTube video or illegally downloaded track. Buy the CD, see them live. They have made it a lifelong point to care for their fans—and it shows. They’ve come a long way in the past twenty years, proving not only that punk still thrives, but that life can be a party at any age.

The Great Debate: Amazon's Kindle versus traditional text

These days, carrying around 160 gigs of music and movies on a device smaller than a cell phone is old news. Updating my Facebook status and creating an iTunes playlist while I sit in Wismer with my iPhone has become routine. With technology always changing, it is not surprising that even literature would be on the short list to catch the technology bug.

Every year, students at Ursinus make their semiannual pilgrimage to the campus bookstore, equipped with class schedules and credit cards to invest in their education. The line wraps around the store; students carry stacks of books to the register, holding their breath as the final price tag shows up on the register, delivering a serious blow to many. The last thing students want is to drop several hundred dollars on books, when that money could go toward many other perfectly good uses. Little has been done in changing this routine, but with technology taking over in several other aspects of our lives, it is about time for the well-worn textbooks and anthologies to meet their technological match.

As one of the most popular electronic reading devices on the market, Amazon.com’s Kindle got a makeover last spring when the website released Kindle DX, a more powerful and much larger version than the original, which sold thousands due to its inexpensive bestseller and publication lists and easy usage. With just a few clicks, the user can have access to thousands of books, newspapers, and magazines, all at discounted prices. The DX, with its 9.7” diagonal screen display, is close to four inches larger than its original counterpart, and costs almost twice as much, weighing in at a hefty $489, excluding online book purchases. The product aims to rectify what we as college students deplore the most: expensive prices and bulky textbooks that only return a fraction of the cost at the end of the semester. But the benefits of a paperless classroom are simultaneously met with problems.

With technology clearly an integral part of our lives, it seems like all our free cash goes straight toward some flashy gadget or entertainment device. iTunes has made a fortune from selling expensive iPods and cheap downloads to those who refuse to spend more money on another CD, but love the status that comes from owning a small, sleek, high-powered machine. Amazon.com is using the same platform: people are willing to drop the cash on an expensive device if the products they can buy are sold at reduced costs. At $489, this device is not accessible to everyone, but when you look at the logistics, the device will eventually pay for itself. Amazon.com prides itself on their huge e-book collection with over 350,000 at the ready. Most bestsellers and fiction books are priced at only $9.99, much less than a hardcover new release from Barnes & Noble.

Even textbooks are seeing the same drop in prices. For example, a hardcover geology textbook on Amazon.com priced at $312 sells for $249.60 as the Kindle version. Over several semesters of receiving discounts like that, a student could see a lot more money in his wallet each year. Of course, not all classroom texts are that expensive, but if English majors could purchase an entire semester’s worth of novels and essays online, the returns could become just as great. There is an unfortunate drawback to this, however. Kindle versions cannot be returned for cash at the end of the semester, which means with each new edition, students are forced to pay high prices still.

Aside from the financial benefits of using Kindle textbooks, colleges can also become more active in the fight against global warming. A paperless college is something that many schools aim for, including Ursinus. Most documents are sent via email and many professors stress sending assignments via email or Blackboard to reduce the amount of paper used. There is a massive environmental benefit to doing this: less paper is used, which means that there is less damage done to the planet. According to an article published in a September issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education, it is important to realize “how many printed textbooks become obsolete each year when publishers put out new versions.” Think of all the books you’ve returned for cash over the years. Now multiply that by every college student in the United States alone. It’s a massive number.

Just sitting at my computer desk, I’m inundated with technological clutter: music is playing from my portable USB speakers, Panasonic headphones hang from my desk lamp and the newest addition to my technological family, a 1 terabyte external hard drive, hides under cables snaking in every direction. Technology has taken over every other aspect of my life, why should I add one more product to my arsenal of beeping, flashing, devices? What can I say, I’m a literature purist. I adore my paperbacks. I love going home and looking at the stacks of books I’ve collected over the years, from Dr. Seuss to Dr. Zhivago. I’ve come to the realization that the last thing I want to do is stare at another screen. Although I’d like to hang on to my paperback copies forever, I feel the transition is ultimately inevitable. One day, and probably soon, my stacks of books may meet their untimely fate as the Kindle becomes introduced to my technological repertoire.

CD Review: Chuck Ragan, "Gold Country"

A few weeks ago, I bought tickets to see the Revival Tour in Philadelphia. No, it was not a religious event fueled by prayers, hymns, and “Amens!” Rather, former Hot Water Music frontman Chuck Ragan and several other artists collaborated for what was a unique and rare opportunity to see several musicians in popular punk and indie bands shed their rock roots and focus on an entirely different genre—folk music, while playing only acoustic instruments and harmonicas.
Together with his wife Jill Ragan, guitarist and harmonica player Chuck Ragan brought the second revival of the Revival Tour to the area. The show was a perfect venue for Chuck Ragan to perform and promote songs off his newest acoustic folk CD, Gold Country, which dropped this past September.
This is not the first time fans of Chuck Ragan have seen his talented mastery of the folk genre. With three other acoustic albums under his belt and several more available only on vinyl or iTunes, Ragan has certainly spent a great deal of time focusing on his post-Hot Water Music solo project, showing fans the diversity of his musical talents. Ragan’s music is not just for fans of his old band, however. His folk projects and CDs would easily fit anywhere in the CD collection of fans of Johnny Cash, for example.
Gold Country is a 13-song compilation of some of Ragan’s most passionate music to date. Every song, in one way or another, radiates a passion for the simpler things in life. “Call me crazy, but all these old ways of living simple are simply fading,” Ragan croons in the album’s first song “For Goodness Sake.”
Rather than traveling down major highways, moving at an ultra high speed to get to the end result as quickly as possible, Gold Country takes the back roads—taking its time and carrying on at a much slower, more purposeful and meaningful pace. Every song bleeds of heartfelt feeling and emotion—Ragan’s raspy voice is in perfect harmony with his acoustic strumming and Jon Gaunt’s breathtaking skills on the violin. The wail of Ragan’s harmonica is something rarely seen in today’s music, but he plays it perfectly—adding it when necessary and never letting it take away from the meaning of the song. Fellow musicians, many of whom were with Ragan on the Revival tour, join in here and there, adding backing vocals and instrumental talents that give the album great variation to Ragan’s acoustic guitar and harmonica.
Like any journey through winding roads and uncharted territory, Ragan’s album almost stays the full course—but gets slightly off track toward the middle of the track list. “Don’t Say a Word,” isn’t necessarily a bad song, but for my personal tastes, moves at an almost painfully slow pace, standing out from the rest of the tracks in a lackluster way.
Gold Country takes listeners back to the roots of folk—presenting a distinct alternative to what is popular on the airwaves these days. “It definitely feels like a progression to me and I love it; it feels good and it feels natural,” Ragan tells interviewer Jonah Bayer in the Revival Tour’s playbill. Ragan has done more than just bring the Revival Tour back to Philadelphia—he has sparked a new revival of folk music for a younger generation.


Standout Tracks: “Let It Rain,” “Ole Diesel,” “10 West”
Sounds like: Tim Barry – Rivanna Junction, Tom Gabel – Heart Burns, Frank Turner – Love, Ire & Song