The Chester Education Foundation recently relocated to the Crozer Building at 419 Avenue of the States, in the heart of overtown Chester. The surrounding area is filled with some of the community’s best entrepreneurs and artists. To coincide with CEF’s move into the area, a tour was in order.
On Friday October 6th, the staff of CEF and building neighbor Entrepreneur Works went on a tour of Avenue of the States. First, the group had breakfast at Brothers’ Restaurant and Juice Bar, located on Fifth Street. The restaurant is owned and operated by Devon Walls, an entrepreneur who was born and raised in Chester. Walls is perfect example of the talent within the Chester community. In addition to being a local entrepreneur, Walls is also a painter, sculptor, photographer, videographer, designer, and furniture maker.
Following breakfast, the tour group was escorted to “Art on the Avenue of the States,” a local art gallery operated by Linda Braceland and partners. Next, the tour visited the Abstract Reality Art Gallery, owned and operated by the group’s tour guide, Kenneth “Picasso” Hunt and his business partner Damon Parson. The tour continued along the Avenue of the States, visiting both MJ Freed Theater and the Delaware County Historical Museum along with several other galleries and clothing stores.
Gerald Rocha Sr., a program director at CEF who was in attendance on the tour commented, “It was exciting to witness the transformation of this street in the city of Chester. Revitalization through the arts, is taking place right before our eyes--Very inspiring!”
This article was written by Tejya Johnson.