Good Work!
May 2024
Greetings!
Whether you are new to The Novelty Collective, or you have been a part of our shared creative journey for some time, we want to remind you that this organization is for you. All of our programs & events exist to support & connect people in the context of community. We believe the perfect vehicle for that is art. Creativity & an appreciation for beauty are two things every human being has in common. Though it may come in very different forms from person to person, creativity is a gift inherent to mankind because we are all made in the image of a wonderful Creator.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
- Ephesians 2:10
Therefore, I say again: The Novelty Collective is for you! If you are reading this & get the sense that you’d like to be more connected to our community, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We want to hear your story & find the right way to plug you in. There are plenty of opportunities available already, & there are endless possibilities for those willing to invest their time & talent to further the mission.
Mother’s Day Art Market - Recap
This past Saturday, The Novelty Collective held its first-ever Mother’s Day Art Market. We are so pleased with the success of this event, & we are praying we can do it again next year. There are few things we love more than to see The COVE Art Center filled with vibrant colors, fragrant aromas, & smiling faces. Each of our eleven vendors had something unique & special to offer, from delicious home-baked treats to captivating floral arrangements, paintings, photography, & much more. Two of our artists taught workshops for mothers attending the event. There were so many beautiful interactions between artists & patrons, we couldn’t possibly tell the full story in one newsletter! If you were unable to make it, we encourage you to look out for our big NoCo Fest announcement this summer. For now, enjoy these amazing photos— & there are lots more on our social media!
Photos: Tosin Abedayo - Good Sabbath Studios
The CoVE: Afterschool
Summer Break
It’s almost time for us to say goodbye to our students once again. The COVE: Aftershool will officially end for the summer on May 30th. It has been another awesome year of growth in the arts & in Bible study. Though our team of volunteers is the smallest it has ever been, God has been faithful to sustain us & provide what we need to give our students the time & attention they deserve. As our journey through the Psalms of David concludes, our students will go home equipped with & their own book of Psalms, as well as the knowledge to keep studying the scriptures on their own! Please join us in praying for them: that each student would learn to listen to the voice of the Shepherd, develop an unshakeable relationship with their Creator, & choose to live in close fellowship with Jesus.
Surf City
Before programming resumes in the fall, we have an opportunity to take several of our students to a full week of summer camp at Grace Adventures near Silver Lake, Michigan! Surf City is a the ultimate camp experience, made possible by the Pittsburgh Kids Foundation (PKF). We have been taking students to Surf City for years, & it has always proven to be the highlight of their summer. Each day of camp is full of excitement with activities that include wacky team competitions, water sports, rock-climbing, zip-lining, & laser tag. But the most impactful side of the camp experience happens when everyone gathers in the evening to learn about God & sing songs of worship together.
The COVE: Afterschool will be at Surf City from August 4th - 9th. Please be praying for our students & our leaders as we prepare. If introducing kids to Jesus is something that gets you excited, we invite you to consider donating towards our trip. There are a lot of expenses to cover, & we do not want finances to bar any parent from sending their child with us on this life-changing trip. You can tap on the link below to visit our new fundraiser campaign page. Thank you!
Until Next Time
Thank you for reading, & again: please feel free to reach out & ask how you can be more involved in The NoCo community. We are here to make art accessible & affordable, illuminate the intrinsic value of art, & empower artists (like you) to create. Whether you are interested in our student program, our events, or simply a “third space” to work on a personal project, we would love to talk. If you are not looking to participate, but you would like to support what we do, we would love to share more about our story & how you can invest in changing lives. We hope you have been blessed & encouraged by this latest article of the NoCo Newsletter!
In His Service,
The NoCo Team
Article written by Jordan A. King
