Introducing the Westtown Toile collection. This collection features images of iconic buildings on the school’s campus. Using the school’s rich archive of historic photographs, artist Joe Kulesza meticulously interpreted each building in pen and ink. The sketches were then digitized, enhanced with elements of the surrounding natural landscape, and put into repeat. The resulting fabric and wallpaper collection is produced by Adaptive Textiles/Lodestone Collective, a local company with alum and teacher ties to Westtown School. Click here to view the collection. Learn more about the print design here. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of these items support the school.

Looking for spirit gear or gifts? Visit Westtown’s online store here. Did you know you can personalize your gear with your name, graduation year, or more? Watch how easy it is to do here.

In September, Amy Hart, a 90-year-old former ceramics teacher in Swarthmore reached out to Westtown to consider donating a collection of pottery and other materials to the school. Hart is a prolific arts educator in the region and had friendships with major figures in American pottery and pedagogy such as Paulus Berensohn and M.C. Richards. Westtown was suggested as a potential home for these pieces thanks to the suggestion of Hart’s friend, retired Westtown ceramics teacher Joyce Nagata.

In this donation, Hart has gifted Westtown with pieces by Berensohn, Ruth Duckworth, and Karen Karnes. Further, to build on this donation, iconic Philadelphia gallery owners Rick and Ruth Snyderman have also donated a piece by Berensohn to Westtown. Berensohn has direct ties to Westtown, as he was an artist in residence in 1993. He worked with students in all divisions and delivered a lecture on his cutting-edge arts pedagogy.

In addition to the pottery collection, Hart donated a wide variety of classroom and research materials to Westtown. This donation included art books for the Lower School and Upper School libraries, 20 Native American rattles made of various materials, 22 carved spoons made of various materials, six Native American Zuni small stone fetishes, a large collection of minerals, fossils, ivory, shells and a completely intact ostrich egg on a hand-made ceramic base.

This donation comes at a time when Middle School art teacher Cindy Hodgson is conducting a project to consider the history of pottery at Westtown in collaboration with the Archives. Further, an anonymous donor purchased pottery by Joyce Nagata and current ceramics teacher Stephanie Wilhelm for the school’s permanent collection, as well as a ceramic piece by Cara Graver, former longtime Westtown art teacher. The donations honor a history connecting Quakerism and pottery in Chester County, as outlined in the book, The Potters and Potteries of Chester County by Westtown alum Arthur E. James.

“There is a thread connecting Quakerism, American pottery, Chester County, and Westtown School,” reflects Alex Ates, Director of PK-12 Visual and Performing Arts. “For example, Paulus Berensohn—who is widely credited for changing the course of American Ceramics education—was greatly influenced by Quaker mysticism and was a guest artist at Westtown. Amyallery of these wo Hart’s generous donation honors Westtown’s marvelous legacy of encouraging ‘the living arts.’ Indeed, these pieces will now live on campus with us, inspiring and teaching students for generations to come.”

You can explore the gallery of these wonderful donated pieces here.

The annual Alums/Community Basketball Game had a great turnout this year, and we were happy to welcome alums back to campus! Jair Bolden ’16, founder of the Grey Rose Foundation, came back to play in the game, and provided the boys’ varsity team with Grey Rose Foundation T-Shirts for warmups on Saturday. It was great to see so many alums on the court! You can see more photos from the game here!

In September, hundreds campus to join us for FallFest 2022! There were games, activities, and food trucks, but most of all — FUN! We offer special thanks to our community of volunteers who helped make it all possible, and to event planner extraordinaire Megan Schlickmann!

Enjoy the gallery of photos here! 

In November, we hosted the Second Annual Campus Nature Walk.  The nature walk was led and curated by Chris Costa, Director of Outdoor Education, and Marta Willgoose Salo, Middle School faculty member and naturalist. Participants got the opportunity to learn more about the flora and fauna of our campus, and simply enjoy being together in nature. Thanks to all who joined us for this educational, community-building event! You can enjoy photos from the nature walk here. 

Westtown School has proudly partnered with the Lodestone Collective to offer a special collection of textile products. Inspiration for these products came from items in Westtown School’s Archives, which holds an impressive collection of manuscripts, photographs, rare books, maps and plans, artwork and furniture, and important artifacts —  including textiles — from its earliest days. See these samples below, and visit their website to order! A portion of the proceeds of the sale of these items support Westtown School’s programs.

Each year, we invite the entire Westtown community, faculty and staff, Board of Trustees, current parents, alums, parents of alums, grandparents, and friends, to invest in the transformative experience that a Westtown education offers by making a gift to the Westtown Fund. The Westtown Fund supports the school’s daily operations, and the money is spent in its entirety in the year that it is received. Donors can designate their gifts to areas of their choice including the arts, athletics, building an anti-bias, anti-racist community, faculty support, and financial aid, among others.

Director of Annual Giving, Courtnay Tyus, parent of MJ, Class of ’30, says, “Gifts to the Westtown Fund provide resources to address Westtown’s most urgent needs. We are very fortunate to have thoughtful donors who understand the importance of annual giving and the impact of essential unrestricted income on our operating budget. Thank you to all of our Westtown Fund donors — we could not do what we do without your generous support!”

For more information about the Westtown Fund, please click here.