Who we are..
The Portside ArtsMobile Project is an initiative of the Portside Arts Center to bring Arts Integration Programming to schools of the RiverWards. Portside Arts Center is a 501 3-c non profit community arts center located in Port Richmond Philadelphia. Portside provides visual arts, performing arts and music classes for children, teens and adults year round. The arts center impacts the greater North East Philadelphia communities where there are few resources of its caliber.
Our mission is to empower the children and adults of our community with opportunities to develop their artistic abilities, awaken the imagination, and build self-esteem and confidence. Through the Arts we provide a safe haven for our community to nurture creativity, diversity, literacy and health for the betterment of all.
To learn more about Portside Arts Center please visit our website: www.portsideartscenter.org
Our mission is to empower the children and adults of our community with opportunities to develop their artistic abilities, awaken the imagination, and build self-esteem and confidence. Through the Arts we provide a safe haven for our community to nurture creativity, diversity, literacy and health for the betterment of all.
To learn more about Portside Arts Center please visit our website: www.portsideartscenter.org
Our Team..
Kim Creighton, Founding Director of Portside Arts Center
Kim Creighton, the Founder and Executive Director of Portside Arts Center, is a 30 year resident of the River Wards Community. She is a mosaic and metal artist who converted an old warehouse into her current home and studio. Her home was featured on the HGTV’s special on warehouses converted to homes. Kim used her prior renovation experience to transform a 6,000 sq ft Canvas Factory into the Portside Arts Center in 2007. Ms. Creighton received her art instruction at Fleischer Memorial, Cheltenham Arts Center and privately with well-known Artist, Mary Zaccarian. Kim has fulfilled local commissions and received the Best In Show Award at the Cheltenham Florist Show. For over 12 years at United Packaging Supply, several of which she was acknowledged as the highest seller, Kim successfully identified major accounts and prospects, which she had ultimately sold and maintained. Currently as Executive Director of Portside Arts Center Ms. Creighton oversees strategic planning, finances, facility management, and program development. Kim Creighton’s professional and educational experience along with her dedication to the River Wards Community lay the groundwork for her excellent managerial skills and her ability to lead the Portside Arts Center in carrying out its mission.
Role in ArtsMobile Program:
Kim is responsible for establishing and maintaining partnerships with local schools and organizations. Kim also works with the Program Director and Board of Directors to review and finalize budgets and grants, and ensure that program goals fulfill the mission of Portside Arts Center.
Kim Creighton, the Founder and Executive Director of Portside Arts Center, is a 30 year resident of the River Wards Community. She is a mosaic and metal artist who converted an old warehouse into her current home and studio. Her home was featured on the HGTV’s special on warehouses converted to homes. Kim used her prior renovation experience to transform a 6,000 sq ft Canvas Factory into the Portside Arts Center in 2007. Ms. Creighton received her art instruction at Fleischer Memorial, Cheltenham Arts Center and privately with well-known Artist, Mary Zaccarian. Kim has fulfilled local commissions and received the Best In Show Award at the Cheltenham Florist Show. For over 12 years at United Packaging Supply, several of which she was acknowledged as the highest seller, Kim successfully identified major accounts and prospects, which she had ultimately sold and maintained. Currently as Executive Director of Portside Arts Center Ms. Creighton oversees strategic planning, finances, facility management, and program development. Kim Creighton’s professional and educational experience along with her dedication to the River Wards Community lay the groundwork for her excellent managerial skills and her ability to lead the Portside Arts Center in carrying out its mission.
Role in ArtsMobile Program:
Kim is responsible for establishing and maintaining partnerships with local schools and organizations. Kim also works with the Program Director and Board of Directors to review and finalize budgets and grants, and ensure that program goals fulfill the mission of Portside Arts Center.
Jenna Wilchinsky, Program Director at Portside Arts Center
Program Director of the Portside Art Center, Jenna is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of Art's four year certificate program in the Fine Arts; and, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Since 2010, Jenna has worked with board and staff members to develop core programs, organize community events and help with fundraising efforts. During her first five years at the Center, Jenna volunteered her time instructing Portside’s teen visual art classes and assisted students with their portfolios and applications to art high school and colleges. Prior to coming to the Portside Jenna worked for the Barnes Foundation and Free Library of Philadelphia. Jenna founded and curated VWVOFFKA contemporary interactive art gallery which was featured in the Inquirer and the Art Blog. Jenna co-curated and exhibited in, One and Two and, at the Little Berlin Collective with featured artists Dan Murphy from MegaWords Magazine. Jenna’s work was exhibited at the James Oliver Gallery and is now part of the John Wind collection. Currently, Jenna is attending the Arts Administration Master's program at Drexel University.
Role in ArtsMobile Program:
Jenna is responsible for ensuring that program goals work in tatem with other core programs to fulfill Portside’s mission and long term goals. She also supports the Portside ArtsMobile Director in managing budgets, writing curriculum, providing support to teachers and artists in residence, as well as, writing grants and raising funds.
Program Director of the Portside Art Center, Jenna is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of Art's four year certificate program in the Fine Arts; and, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Since 2010, Jenna has worked with board and staff members to develop core programs, organize community events and help with fundraising efforts. During her first five years at the Center, Jenna volunteered her time instructing Portside’s teen visual art classes and assisted students with their portfolios and applications to art high school and colleges. Prior to coming to the Portside Jenna worked for the Barnes Foundation and Free Library of Philadelphia. Jenna founded and curated VWVOFFKA contemporary interactive art gallery which was featured in the Inquirer and the Art Blog. Jenna co-curated and exhibited in, One and Two and, at the Little Berlin Collective with featured artists Dan Murphy from MegaWords Magazine. Jenna’s work was exhibited at the James Oliver Gallery and is now part of the John Wind collection. Currently, Jenna is attending the Arts Administration Master's program at Drexel University.
Role in ArtsMobile Program:
Jenna is responsible for ensuring that program goals work in tatem with other core programs to fulfill Portside’s mission and long term goals. She also supports the Portside ArtsMobile Director in managing budgets, writing curriculum, providing support to teachers and artists in residence, as well as, writing grants and raising funds.
Sarah Damiano, ArtsMobile Director
Sarah directs Portside Arts Center’s Outbound Programming Initiative The Portside Arts Mobile Project. Sarah holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA) and a Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). She is a Pennsylvania certified art teacher and has worked with children 3-18 in classroom and after-school settings. Sarah has been involved with Portside Arts Center since 2012 and has since fulfilled roles as a board member, volunteer, and teacher. She served as a teaching artist with many Philadelphia non-profits including the Mural Arts Program and Artwell before becoming full-time at Portside Arts Center. Sarah has spoken at National and Regional Art Education Conferences and was the co-recipient of the 2012 National Art Education Association (NAEA) Higher Education Student Achievement Award. As a result she was invited to be a guest author for the NAEA Monthly Mentor Blog in April of 2012. Sarah believes in the power of art and its ability to bring a community together.
Role in the ArtsMobile Project
Sarah is in charge of managing budgets, writing curriculum, providing support to teachers and artists in residence, as well as, working with the program director to write grants and raise funds, and reporting to Executive Director and Board of Directors for review and final approval. Sarah is currently serving as the lead Artist In Residence in order to lay a foundation for our six month residency program.
Sarah directs Portside Arts Center’s Outbound Programming Initiative The Portside Arts Mobile Project. Sarah holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA) and a Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). She is a Pennsylvania certified art teacher and has worked with children 3-18 in classroom and after-school settings. Sarah has been involved with Portside Arts Center since 2012 and has since fulfilled roles as a board member, volunteer, and teacher. She served as a teaching artist with many Philadelphia non-profits including the Mural Arts Program and Artwell before becoming full-time at Portside Arts Center. Sarah has spoken at National and Regional Art Education Conferences and was the co-recipient of the 2012 National Art Education Association (NAEA) Higher Education Student Achievement Award. As a result she was invited to be a guest author for the NAEA Monthly Mentor Blog in April of 2012. Sarah believes in the power of art and its ability to bring a community together.
Role in the ArtsMobile Project
Sarah is in charge of managing budgets, writing curriculum, providing support to teachers and artists in residence, as well as, working with the program director to write grants and raise funds, and reporting to Executive Director and Board of Directors for review and final approval. Sarah is currently serving as the lead Artist In Residence in order to lay a foundation for our six month residency program.
Kelsie Lilly, Assistant Artist in Residence
Kelsie Lilly is the Lead Sharks (7-12 yr old) After School Arts Program Teacher at Portside Arts Center. She holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree from West Virginia University. Kelsie studied printmaking and sculpture where she explored art in both 2D and 3D forms. During her time at West Virginia University Kelsie founded the Printmaking Club and participated in a print exchange with Zayed University of Dubai. This experience inspired her to coordinate Portside Art Centers 1st Annual Student Print Exchange in 2016. Kelsie continues to create and exhibit work. Most recently she was an exhibiting artist for the Interactive Music and Art Organization Bangarang. Kelsie enjoys challenging the students of Portside to create with non traditional art materials, work effectively as a team, and explore big ideas.
Role in the Arts Mobile Project
Kelsie is currently serving as an Assistant Artist in Residence at Horatio B. Hackett School. Kelisie is responsible in collaborating with the lead Artist in Residence and the Classroom teacher to design and implement arts integration curriculum. This is Kelsie’s second year of involvement in the project. During the pilot program Kelsie assisted in implementing and refining Portside ArtsMobile’s pilot curriculum.
Kelsie Lilly is the Lead Sharks (7-12 yr old) After School Arts Program Teacher at Portside Arts Center. She holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree from West Virginia University. Kelsie studied printmaking and sculpture where she explored art in both 2D and 3D forms. During her time at West Virginia University Kelsie founded the Printmaking Club and participated in a print exchange with Zayed University of Dubai. This experience inspired her to coordinate Portside Art Centers 1st Annual Student Print Exchange in 2016. Kelsie continues to create and exhibit work. Most recently she was an exhibiting artist for the Interactive Music and Art Organization Bangarang. Kelsie enjoys challenging the students of Portside to create with non traditional art materials, work effectively as a team, and explore big ideas.
Role in the Arts Mobile Project
Kelsie is currently serving as an Assistant Artist in Residence at Horatio B. Hackett School. Kelisie is responsible in collaborating with the lead Artist in Residence and the Classroom teacher to design and implement arts integration curriculum. This is Kelsie’s second year of involvement in the project. During the pilot program Kelsie assisted in implementing and refining Portside ArtsMobile’s pilot curriculum.
Shannon Brooks, Assistant Artist In Residence
Shannon Brooks is the Assistant Minnows (4 - 6 yr old) After School Arts Program Teacher at Portside Arts Center. Shannon holds a double Bachelors of Arts degree from Purchase College in Film and Media Studies and Art History. Artistically, Shannon practices in areas of video, performance, and installation which often employ a diverse range of materials. Currently Shannon is directing music videos for artists Thelma and Nine of Swords. She has also recently acted in the TV Series The Blue Rider and the short film Apple. Shannon believes the creative intellect of children to be, without a doubt, boundless, and considers artistic exploration crucial in developing intelligences in empathy, community, and individual tenacity.
Role in the Arts Mobile Project
Shannon is currently serving as an Assistant Artist in Residence at Alexander Adaire School.. Shannon is responsible in collaborating with the lead Artist in Residence and the Classroom teacher to design and implement arts integration curriculum.
Shannon Brooks is the Assistant Minnows (4 - 6 yr old) After School Arts Program Teacher at Portside Arts Center. Shannon holds a double Bachelors of Arts degree from Purchase College in Film and Media Studies and Art History. Artistically, Shannon practices in areas of video, performance, and installation which often employ a diverse range of materials. Currently Shannon is directing music videos for artists Thelma and Nine of Swords. She has also recently acted in the TV Series The Blue Rider and the short film Apple. Shannon believes the creative intellect of children to be, without a doubt, boundless, and considers artistic exploration crucial in developing intelligences in empathy, community, and individual tenacity.
Role in the Arts Mobile Project
Shannon is currently serving as an Assistant Artist in Residence at Alexander Adaire School.. Shannon is responsible in collaborating with the lead Artist in Residence and the Classroom teacher to design and implement arts integration curriculum.