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Those of you who know me might be shocked to know that I was not good at making friends in high school (just kidding, I know you aren’t shocked). I kept to myself, I didn’t engage in casual conversation with many people, and I didn’t love sports, or any group activity for that matter.  Not much has changed about my personality, but I’m much better at making small talk, and generally I have found life to be way easier since those hormonal teenage years.

I had a few good friends, and that was generally enough for me. Sure, I got lonely sometimes, or wished I had a larger group to reach out to when I was bored –but for the most part, I was OK with being a loner.

Looking back on high school, I realize I could have tried harder and ended up with some pretty great lifelong friends. But for me, that’s where college came in. That’s where I met my life long people. 

Anyway, when I reflect on high school, I can identify several people who I know now would have been wonderful friends. I know because I stalk them on Facebook. Haha. (I’m only half kidding).

Just the other day I sat next to someone in my son’s karate class who I went to high school with, and talked to her for longer in that half hour than during the entirety  of our four years of high school together. She’s lovely. Hi, Erica!

One of the people I really regret not trying harder to get to know is Eric Carter-Thompson. Eric was always a fun and friendly guy in high school, and if he talked to me during our stage crew time together, I didn’t exactly ignore him. However, I would not have started a conversation on my own; people probably thought I thought I was too cool, but I was just too reserved to come out of my shell. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Then, one night several years ago, I ran into Eric in the neighborhood. He acted like we were life-long friends. He came over, hugged me, and asked me how I was doing. It was then that I realized how much I regretted not trying to get to know people better, especially Eric!

Eric and I are friends on Facebook, which affords me the opportunity to see all the great things he is doing with his life. One of those things is serving as the Executive Director of The Darlington Arts Center in Garnet Valley, Pa.

If there is one thing that I have learned through my reflections on high school, and through endeavoring to create a successful blog that is interesting and (eventually will be) lucrative, it’s that in order to grow, you have to get a little uncomfortable. You have to push yourself to do things that don’t come naturally to you. Like talk to people – eek!

I think the difference now is that my world will not collapse if I get a negative response. I can move forward. But, if you don’t ask the question, you don’t get the answer.

All of this backstory to tell you – I reached out to Eric, because I knew that what he is doing at Darlington is something fantastic. Something that people need to know about. As the motto for Darlington goes, they are allowing a space for ‘every art for every one’.

As I expected (hoped for), Eric was very welcoming and eager to share with me about Darlington.

So, I planned a visit out to the center, and spent some time learning about all the wonderful things that The Darlington Art Center has to offer.

I live in Delaware County, Pa – where Darlington resides. But, until I started seeing Eric post about it, I didn’t even know that it existed. I want to help change that, and bring to light how people can engage with this community space.

Darlington was the first community arts center in the state of Pennsylvania to incorporate the four art disciplines – music, visual arts, dance, and drama- under one roof. It is a one stop shop for exposing yourself and your children to all sorts of creative outlets.

One program that appealed to me in particular, was the preschool arts program. From their website, the preschool program is “…a special arts-integrated curriculum! Arts-based learning emphasizes creativity, imagination, exploration, and active participation. The arts add depth to fundamental concepts, reinforcing comprehension and memory.” This would definitely be a preschool to consider if you live close to the center.

I also loved that they have Silver Sneakers programming Wednesday-Friday for the senior crowd. I know that having ways to help seniors remain engaged in the community is essential to their wellbeing and overall life satisfaction.  Eric told me that the Silver Sneakers participants also frequent the monthly coffee houses that Darlington hosts. Adorbs.

Darlington offers summer arts camp, school holiday workshops, kindergarten enrichment, after school busing from Garnet Valley School District, and outreach programs offering violin, literacy through the arts, and improv and hip hop.

There really is so much going on, too much to include in one blog post!

I’ve always enjoyed an older crowd, so maybe that is why I am intrigued by the coffee houses frequented by the Silver Sneakers. Open to the public for a nominal fee ($15), the coffee houses are held once a month in the facilities performance space, feature various music artists ranging in genre from blue grass to jazz to Irish folk and more, and are BYOB. Corkscrews and glasses provided – as well as snacks. They had me at snacks.

If formal events are your thing, keep an eye out for the big fundraiser of the year – a Toast to the Arts. Stay tuned for 2019 information.

Darlington displays the work of local artists Monday – Friday 9a to 9p and Saturdays 9a-5p.

Here are the next two artists who will be featured:

Saturday December 8^th – T. J, Walsh 

Saturday January 12^th – David Katz 

This coming Saturday (December 8^th), Darlington will host a holiday event – the Holiday Jam – which will coincide with the opening for T.J. Walsh. There will be a fun creative activity – attendees can make their own instrument – which they will then play in the music jam at the end of the day! So fun! My kids would love it, but, alas, we are previously engaged. You should definitely go, though!

In the spring, aside from the annual fundraiser, there will be an Arts Festival showcasing the creative works of the Darlington students. Students will perform; there will be off site recitals, and a student gallery on May 18^th.

If I’ve inspired you to head over and see what Darlington can offer your family, that’s amazing!

If you go, you’ll want to note the mural above the entrance, and the totem pole in the back of the property – both examples of the types of creative outlet that Darlington inspires.

Planned for the near future, there will be a walking trail around the property, with the totem pole – which commemorates the last big anniversary for Darlington – as the centerpiece.

There are so many things going on at Darlington. Please stop in and check it out, and don’t be like I was in high school – say hello to Eric!

And finally, do not miss this work of art, documenting the progress of Darlington’s fundraising efforts. Help them put the next note up! 

-Kristin

Stay tuned for my next post about Chadds Cafe and Store, only a stone’s throw away from Darlington. Make it a day and check both places out!