In 2013 the Collegeville Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) spearheaded a Play Me Piano project in conjunction with local artists who decorate the piano with a theme. Pianos are then installed in places around the Borough of Collegeville.
CEDC Board member Karen McCaslin oversees this project, and has now decorated, tuned and installed playable pianos at the Ursinus College campus, in Forno Antico Pizza Napolitana Restaurant and in Shagun Fine Indian Restaurant.
With the addition of a Play Me piano at Troubles End Brewing, we have now created five community pianos that can be found at four locations. All are available for anyone to play. Sadly our first piano — kept outdoors — didn’t survive the weather.
See our Facebook posts for photos of the Ursinus College, Forno Antico and Shagun pianos, and the piano that started it all.
The program to provide public pianos began in the UK in 2008 with Luke Jerram’s Play Me, I’m Yours project. Since then, many thousands of pianos have been donated and installed in towns around the world to encourage residents to engage in music and interact with their communities.
Collegeville’s Latest Play Me Piano
Our fifth piano was donated by Trinity UCC‘s Pastor Suzanne and Peg Schwarz-Green, transported from their home to Troubles End by local residents Fred Schuetz and Larry DiPiano, and tuned by The Music Depot.
Local Collegeville artist Patricia Keeney painted the piano — the artistic theme, a collaboration between Pat and Trouble’s End Brewing owner Dave Bellenzini. The painting features the entrance to Collegeville Station on the bottom most section of the piano, which then morphs into an ode to Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night and then his classic sunflowers painting. Classic pub fare is featured on the piano bench painted in the pointillism style of Impressionist painter Georges Seurat.
Stop by Troubles End Brewing to enjoy their great food and beverages and, while there, try out their striking new art piano!