Cat Shuron ‘22 recently displayed her eagerness to make a difference by establishing a “community fridge” at Weavers Way Co-op grocery store in Ambler. She was able to bring this creative idea to life through cooperatively working with the art department and its Art Across the Academy Organization, CSO, and the team at Weavers Way.
While scrolling through her Instagram discovery page earlier this year, Cat noticed an account titled Germantown Community Fridge. It immediately caught her eye and before she knew it, she found herself talking to Upper School 3-D art teacher Mrs. Ritz about it. Mrs. Ritz loved the idea and thought it would be amazing for GA to participate. GA soon approved of the idea, and Cat began sending emails to teachers, students, and organizations inside and outside of school. Because Art Across the Academy had leftover funds from last year, they were able to sponsor the project by buying the fridge, paints, magnets, and other supplies.
At the start of the pandemic, community fridges started popping up around Philadelphia but not particularly close to GA. Cat changed this by creating a fridge that will live locally at Weavers Way in Ambler and will be painted bright colors to draw the attention of people passing by. CSO will help maintain the fridge by keeping it stocked and clean, while Art Across the Academy will provide, design, and make sure the art on the fridge stays intact. All students and faculty at GA created magnets to decorate the fridge and as people come to take or donate food, they can take a magnet too. The hope for this fridge is to help people in our community in a time of need, both nourishing their body with food while also nourishing their mind with art.
During the creation of her community fridge, Cat faced the challenges of location in Ambler for the fridge and deciding what type of fridge to install. Cat began by emailing many different local businesses and townships, including She Smiled Ambler, Whitpain, Norristown, and others; however each organization rejected her proposal because they did not have room for it. As her last resort, Cat recalled an organization that she had already worked with in the past: Weavers Way. She decided to contact the owner, Kathleen Casey, who graciously approved of her request.
Another challenge Cat faced was deciding if she wanted the fridge to pose as an art installation or a functioning fridge that would use electricity. In order for it to be a functioning fridge, there needed to be outlets available for use at the location of the fridge. Weavers Way was able to fund the 15 dollar fee per month for electricity: this transformed a simple art installation into a functioning fridge.
Not only does Cat love art making as a hobby, she also appreciates how art can bring a deeper and more significant meaning to ordinary objects. When Cat first saw the other fridges in Germantown and Philly, she loved them because of their bright decorations and explained that they were “eye-grabbing.” When choosing the colors and designs for her fridge, Cat considered how bright colors boost people’s spirits. The fridge will be in a bright yellow house with colorful geometric shapes painted on it by students and faculty in the art program. Cat believes that the colors she chose will fit very well into Ambler and Weavers Way, which is painted green and orange, like the colors of the geometric shapes on the fridge. Cat hopes for the community fridge to be a positive place for people to use when in a time of need or when doing an act of kindness by donating food.
Recently, Cat united the GA community through her project. During a flex period, the Upper School devoted time to learn about the Community Fridge Movement in the Philadelphia area and how GA will be implementing their very own in Ambler. Then, each advisory joined together to design and color magnets that will be placed on the Community Fridge. The Middle and Lower School also contributed their uplifting artwork to the Fridge, therefore each person in the GA community will have left their own mark on the fridge.
Cat hopes her community fridge will last for years to come. Although GA, Weavers Way, CSO, and Art Across the Academy only have a one-year contract together, Cat hopes that even after she graduates, another willing student will continue her legacy. The GA community thanks Cat and appreciates her eagerness to make a difference for so many!