A Review of the Arts at ESU

The East Stroudsburg University (ESU) of PA Art Department held an Artists’ Reception on Wednesday December 1st to showcase the works created by those students who attended their Fall 2010 Fine Arts and Art and Design Classes. The reception featured a gallery talk by Joseph Castronuova who shared the many influences which could be discovered in is work. The reception also served as an opportunity to present scholarships awarded by The ESU Society of the Arts to students who not only excelled in the visual arts, but those who do so in the performing (such as Music, Dance, and Theatre) as well.

A variety of styles and approaches were represented throughout the Madelon Powers Gallery which is located in The Fine and Performing Arts Building on the ESU Campus. The students’ youthful excitement of discovering new techniques to express their creativity was not only seen in their works but also permeated the fascinated smiles of those among the many attendees who experienced them. It was an enjoyable evening filled with wonderful art, conversation, and food.

Along with Joseph Castronuova who gave the gallery talk, other equally talented artists participating in the exhibition in the main gallery included Maria Sorrentino, Jacqueline Barainyak, Samantha Dalton, Ben Koch, Greg Sims, Jessica Van Orden, Heather DeMeglio, Shanaya Williams, Agnetta Krechner, Jessica Moran, Nick Gemenek, Matthew Zullo, Kathleen Muir, Brandon Key, Alyssa Kopf, Issain Alachem, Lauriel Gingrich, Nicholas Nieves, Kelly Barrieres, Alma Barrantes, Abby Oxford, John Grima, Michael Marshall, Nicole Thomas, Amy Cummiskey, Dominick Frabizio, Shanna Bridglal, Erinn Gittens, Austin Baxter, Megan Dimler, Eric Cuevas, Samm Garcia, Chris Delturrondo, Drew Dvorsky, John Carroll, Jackie Eichelberger, Lindsay Godin, Kyle Petzoldt, Janelle, Roache, Paulette Nelson, Kelsey Sutliff, Monicaq Gombita, and Cassie Kleppinger. Additional work were also on display on the upper level of the gallery. The Artists presented included Ebony Fenstermaker, Bethany Wert, Jason Dolinsky, Kari Fish, Meghan Ragard, Kaylee Nayman, Angelina Fregoni, Yash Rao, Steve Mack, Emily Lesoine, Meg Nicholson, Gavin Macrine, Dillion Geer, Erika Erdmann, and Gina Castianni.

As mentioned earlier, the reception provided an opportunity to award students for their contribution to the arts through their talents. These included Maria Sorrentino for her accomplishments in the Visual Arts, Jessica Davis for her accomplishments in the art of Dance, Noam Frishman for his accomplishments in the art of Music, and Erin Lanza for her accomplishments in the Theatrical Arts. The faculty members who presented the awards were Betsy Buzzelli-Clark of the ESU Department of Music, Stephanie Davertry-French of the ESU Theatre Department, Darlene Farris-LaBar of the ESU Art Department, and Elizabeth Gibbons of the ESU Dance Department. Some special remarks were made by Miharu Lane, Margaret Ball, Susan O'Hearn, and University President Robert J. Dillman. You’ll find more photographs taken during the reception in The Forwardian Arts Society Visual Arts 2010 Gallery at www.myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

The exhibition continues until December 10th. Future exhibitions presented by The East Stroudsburg University (ESU) of PA Art Department will include “Images” featuring the works of Sharon Bartman and David Coulter February 1st - March 4th, The Art Association All University Student Juried Art Exhibit March 17th - April 12th, and The Senior Seminar and Portfolio in Art Student Exhibition April 20th - May 4th. Please contact The East Stroudsburg University (ESU) Art Department at 570-422-3695 for more information.