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WHEREAS, Polish Hill is a vibrant Pittsburgh neighborhood, rich in history; and
WHEREAS, art is a critical form of human expression and a creative way to bring people together, strengthening existing community ties and building new ones; and
WHEREAS, Art What You Got is the groundbreaking arts festival in Polish Hill. With its goal of showcasing local artists, Art What You Got will provide the first venue of its kind for residents to both present their art and to see what is being created in their neighborhood. The Festival will showcase both visual art, with more than 30 artists displaying their work, and performances, with 6 musical ensembles playing concerts throughout the day; and
WHEREAS, the festival is also reaching out beyond the neighborhood by inviting artists from outside Polish Hill to participate and by involving art organizations, including the Andy Warhol Museum, the Mattress Factory, and the Society for Contemporary Crafts, as well as the Sprout Fund, a non-profit organization working on grassroots community building in Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, Art What You Got is truly a collaborative community effort, made possible entirely through donations of goods and services from local organizations, businesses, and individuals. The Polish Hill Civic Association, and particularly Colleen Helwich, Susan Constance, and Terry Doloughty, have spearheaded the organizational effort, while the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church is providing amenities; and
WHEREAS, the Polish Hill Civic Association's motto is "We are the Community, We are One Voice" and in the spirit of this motto, the Art What You Got Festival is an important event that brings people together and creates community ties; and
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize Art What You Got as the first arts festival in Polish Hill and hopes that the festival will become a tradition for years to come; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Sunday, July 20, 2008, "Art What You Got Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.