Reflections, Abstractions and Making Connections at Second Saturday

Early showers couldn't dampen spirits of Second Saturday-goers, who soaked up the sights and sounds of the local artists and musicians that put on a proud display in downtown Collingswood.

At the , dozens flocked to the gallery opening of "," a showcase of the wide-ranging work of three different artists.  

“A lot of it is exposure for the artists and bringing in the community and to make them become more familiar for the arts,” said Philip J. Carroll, Perkins' associate curator of exhibitions.

“Having an exhibition space is really fun for the community," he said. "They love the exhibitions and the variety. It’s a lot of fun.”

Although Philadelphia residents Deborah Imler and Allen Spencer have shown their work at the Perkins Moorestown location, "Abstractions" represents the debut of their work in Collingswood. The couple contributed 11 pieces to the exhibit.

“We enjoy when somebody else likes our paintings and talks about them with us,” explained Imler. “I love to hear the questions people have about it and what they see in it.”

“It’s nice for our resume,” Spencer added.

The launch party featured entertainment by Jennifer Fritz, who mixed jazz, blues and pop music, but outside on Haddon Avenue, singer Alexis Moldonado drew perhaps the largest crowd of the night. Moldonado wowed listeners, stringing together hits from Adele, including "Someone Like You" and "Set Fire to Rain."

From the families of rowers who shuttled in from Cooper River Park to the locals who braved the dissipating gloom of an overcast summer evening that finally broke, everyone seemed to be having a good time.

At Eric Wolff's Mud and Fire stand, the eight-year potter encapsulated the evening in one brief statement.

“It’s about making connections,” he said.