Vision Thru Art is proudly supported by The Philadelphia Foundation's Esther and Sidney Kulick Memorial Fund. For more than a quarter century, Sidney and Esther Kulick were permanent fixtures at Allens Lane Art Center and lent their talents and voices to help make this organization what it is today.  Mr. Kulick served in a variety of roles and even served as the President of the organization (1976-78) while Mrs. Kulick participated in a number of committees, edited the center’s newsletter, worked with the summer camp for kids and even found time to take sculpture classes as a student. After their years of service, both Kulicks lent their names as honorary trustees which helped generate additional connections and good-will toward the center. In 2010, The Philadelphia Foundation's Esther and Sidney Kulick Memorial Fund reaffirmed their support for Allens Lane Art Center by funding a multi-year grant to help support the organization's Vision Thru Art program that produces sculpture classes for blind and visually-impaired students.  This program has called Allens Lane Art Center it’s home for more that 20 years and with the support from this grant, we hope to work together to provide a foundation for the program’s next 20.

A Sculpture Class for the Blind and Visually Impared

The Vision Thru Art class is a weekly sculpture class that has been running at Allens Lane since 1988. This class is specifically designed for people who are vision-impaired or blind. The work generated by the class has been accepted into numerous juried exhibits, often winning awards. Our dedicated staff and volunteers help students learn how to express their inner vision through a variety of media including clay, wood, mosaic, stone and mixed materials. The class is instructed by Carol Konopinski, who volunteered under long-time teacher Robert Fluhr until his passing in April, 2011. Ms. Konopinski learned many of Mr. Fluhr's techniques under his guidance and brings her own flair for design and structure to the class. More than just a sculpture class, the participants feel well connected to each other and have said that it's also the social aspect that has created bonds between them all that keeps them coming back again and again.

Location: The Fluhr Studio - (downstairs back studio accessible by rear enterance). Many of the students use Paratransit to get to the class. Service dogs are of course welcome.

Time/Date: Wednesdays from 10am - noon. Classes start in mid-September and run until early June.

Fees: Class fees are charged on a monthly basis of $30 per month plus a $15 materials fee ($45 total per month). Class fee can be paid through our site or given to the instructor on the first day of class each month.

Registration: To learn more about the program and register for this class, please contact us at 215-248-0546. New students are requested to meet with Ms. Konopinski before signing up for the class so that we she can give you a tour of the facility, answer your questions about the class, and learn about your interests and experiences.

Artist, teacher, volunteer and Honarary Board Member Robert Fluer at work with his students.

In 2004, twelve pieces by Vision Thru Art students were included in the National Exhibit of Blind Artists that travelled from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to the Main Line Unitarian Church and finally the Free Library.  Student Ron Bryant won First Award in Sculpture for "St. Gabriel," and Kathy Faul won Recognition Awards for "Bride of the North Wind" and "Babette." 

"My art creations through the Vision Thu Art program are a source of pride for me and my familiy and friends."
- Jane Kohn, artist/student

"If I didn't become blind, I never would have been an artist."
- Don Lorah, artist/student

"The Vision Thru Art program has changed my life. I never thought I had the ability to be an artist."
- Frank Madison, aritst/student

To learn more about the program and register for this class, please contact us at 215-248-0546.