Arts on Main 2012

The Jacob Stroud Corporation presented their annual Arts on Main event throughout the town of Stroudsburg, PA on Saturday May 19th. The event provides an opportunity for its creative citizens to share their talents with the rest of the community who support their endeavors. The streets and galleries located within the town were filled with music, art, dance, and good company. The beautiful weather proved to be an extra attraction to the festivities as its warmth and radiance enhanced the day greatly.

There were a great number activities and showings scheduled for the day and, like many, I could only partake of so many and did not have the opportunity to see everything. But, what I did experience created some very wonderful memories coupled with an eager anticipation to see what the event will offer next year. I hope to be there as I relish my experiences that took place on the 19th.

These experiences began with a visit to The Backstreet Studio located on North 6th Street. Since its Grand Opening on Saturday April 14th, Andrea Robbins-Rimberg has welcomed many art lovers to her little spot with walls filled with her many creative endeavors. She eagerly showed those who came to visit her during the Arts on Main event the expansions she is making to her Studios and the wonderful visions she has for its future including polka dotted restrooms. Andrea is well known for her exuberant effervescent personality often attracting many who wishes to partake of the positive effects of her energies.

She is also know for her generosity as she has donated her time to numerous art related and other worthy enterprises. These include serving as President of The Pocono Arts Council’s Board of Directors and the Art and Photography Editor of The Forwardian Arts Society Literary and Arts Magazine, “Forwardian.” In honor of the day, she shared her side walk with fellow photographers James Chesnick and Joyce Bambach who presented some truly beautiful work which was available for purchase. You can learn more about The Backstreet Studio and all it has to offer the community from its facebook page at www.facebook.com/BackstreetstudioN6th.

While conversing with my friends at The Backstreet Studio, I paid a visit to Andrei Protsouk whose Art Gallery is right next door. The work Andrei is well known for surrounded us as I chatted with him and another well known local artist Shawn Queenan who also came by for a visit. As one can imagine, the conversation touched on many topics which included everyting from the finer points of blending colors to the sexual appetites of Parisian women. I came away from these sharings inspired me to learn more. You can learn more about Andrei’s artistic endeavors at www.andreiart.com and Shawn’s at www.shawnqueenanart.com.

As I continued my travels, I came across many friends whom I’ve met throughout the years. Two of these were Marlana Holsten and Susan Fields who were busy taking photographs of the displays of decorated bags which were placed upon the parking meters around the town. These meter adornments have become a well loved and appreciated addition to the Art on Main event over the years and it was an added thrill for me as I watched the childlike excitement of these two adults photographing them. I’m sure their excitement was mostly generated because one of them designed a bag, but styles ranging from the profound to the just plain cuteness of the entire bag collection elicited a sense of excitement as well.

I reluctantly left my two friends as they continued taking picture while avoiding being run over by drivers in the process of parking their cars to continue my explorations. I visited Josephine’s Fleur-de-lis who was having a special Trunk Show featuring the work of Karen Laposh. The work shown in Josephine’s consisted of turnabouts (aka Lazy Susans) upon which the artist has painted some very stunning floral images. You’ll be able to learn more about Karen LaPosh and all Josephine’s Fleur-de-lis has to offer by exploring their website at www.josephinesonmain.com.

I then traveled to The Driebe Freight Station Art Galley who held an Artist’s Reception for their exhibition titled, “Dark Landscapes” featuring the work of Don Manza. As one comes to expect from Mr. Manza’s work, the images’ contrasting shapes and shadows demonstrates the refined beauty and skill inherent in the art of black and white photography. The exhibition continues until May 31st and more information can be gained by visiting the Jacob Stroud Corporation’s Website listed later in this article. You can learn more about Don Manza and his work by Exploring his Website at www.deepviewstudio.net.

I left The Driebe Freight Station Art Galley to continue my explorations and was soon led to the sound of music. There was a band playing in front of The Shoppes on Main who held their grand opening last February. The music they performed moved each passersby to stay to listen as their feet continued to move to the beat of they rhythmic drums and chords the keyboardist and bassist played. I was soon inspired to enter the Shoppes to meet with the many vendors I’ve come to know since their opening.

Upon entering, I immediately felt a buzz of excitement throughout the shopping complex as both customers and vendors exchanged friendships as well as merchandize with one another. This combined with an artists’ reception featuring the works of Clavertis Miller of the Miller Fine Arts Gallery, Brigida Persia, James Chesnick, Ka-Son Reese, and many more created an atmosphere that transcended it’s grand opening and it felt nice to see signs that the establishment thriving. I was pleased to meet up with new friends as well as those I made when I first visited such as Scarlet Ice Jewels and Annie’s Unique Jewelry.

I was also pleased to enter the department known as “The Cellar” which was added to the complex since my first visit. It serves as home to Rudy’s Timeless Treasures, Wildrick's World of Treasures, and held a Grand Opening Celebration for their new arrival named, “Photography by Stephanie” who offers portrait photography of infants. The new addition to The Cellar celebrated the day by offering face painting to the many children who visited with their parents and music by guitarist Jonathan Warner. You may learn more about The Shoppes on Main and The Cellar and all it has to offer by visiting their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Shoppes-on-Main-and-The-Cellar/141088652666366.

After I left The Shoppes on Main, I went to the neighboring Galleria which also held its grand opening last February. It’s a space shared by Bridget William, The Gigi and Company Dance Studio, and Sara Smith-Katz who is the founding Director of “For ArtzSake” and curates the art gallery aspect of the space. An Artist’s Reception was held for their exhibition titled, “The Possibility of Nothing” featuring the work of Jase Clark.

The work mostly consisted of prints presented on wood depicting images which were contained some elements of  familiarity while simultaneously allowing themselves to maintain a freedom found in being beyond what is recognizable to our ordinary ability to perceive. This contradiction encouraged the viewer to question what is and what is not real in the every day perceptions of their experiences. While each piece had its own ability to call our reasonings into question, the entirety of the work presented a stream-of-conscious sensation which asked even deeper question only the individual viewer can pose and attempt an answer. The Exhibition Continues Until June 30th. You can learn more about Jase Clark and his work by Exploring his Website at www.jaseclark.com. You can learn more about The Galleria by calling them at 570-580-0996.

After leaving the gallery, I soon arrived at The Pocono Community Arts Center where The Pocono Arts Council held an Artists’ Reception for their Annual Members' Exhibition for 2012. Nearly 100 pieces were on displayed which were created by some of the best known and most talented artists in the area. The exhibition was a juried show and was judged by Christine Medley of Marywood University along with Dixie Rich and Audrey Lanham who are co-chairs of the Milford Art Alliance.

I have always appreciated how difficult it is to select a piece worthy enough to be a recipient of an award when there are so many high quality works to choose from but it wasn’t until I served as one of the judges in a show at East Stroudsburg University did I truly come to appreciate how difficult the process is. As a result of my experiences, the quality and enormity of the work left me in awe of the judges’ ability to perform their task. If I wore a hat, I would had taken it off for them. In any case, here are those they selected.

In the Fine Crafts (Functional) Category, Ralph White received the award for Third Place, Leslie Mulliken received the award for Second Place, and April Field received the award for First Place. In the Mixed Media Category, Reva Levy received the award for Third Place, Heidi Hooper received the award for Second Place, and Lenore Fiore Mills received the award for First Place. In the Photography Category, Vinzon Lee received Honorable Mentioned, John Kopp received the award for Third Place, Alice Prall received the award for Second Place, and Marlana Holsten received the award for First Place. In the 3-D Work (Sculpture and Non-Functional) Category, Jorge Cruz received the award for Third Place, Leah Gottlieb received the award for Second Place, and Heather McGinley received the award for First Place. In the Works on Paper Category, Linda Mann received Honorable Mentioned, Barbara Dachowski received the award for Third Place, Mark Ciocca received the award for Second Place, and Nobert Scanlan received the award for First Place. In the Watercolor Category, Thomas Augusta received the award for Third Place, Will Daskel received the award for Second Place, and Jan Swift received the award for First Place. In the Acrylics Category, Debra Frantz receive Honorable Mentioned, Mary Samet received the award for Third Place, Joe Mooney received the award for Second Place, and Doug Gilbert received the award for First Place. In the Oils Category, Carol Pooley received Honorable Mentioned, Tricia Lowry Lippert received the award for Third Place, Jill Swersie received the award for Second Place, and David Cook received the award for First Place. The Award for Best of Show went to Susan Marie David for her work titled, “Ziegfield Girl.” The Exhibition Continues Until May 29th. 

The PoconoArts Council’s member’s show is an annual event and participation is open to all members of the organization which is designed to build the communities in which it serves artistically and culturally by providing leadership, service, and education. It does so by offering avenues for artists to display their work through the center and other galleries, educational opportunities for those who would like to explore and/or enhance their creative natures, and encouragement to those who seek to express and/or support the arts. The Annual Members and other exhibitions are held in The PoconoArts Community Cultural Center. You’ll be able to learn more about The PoconoArts Council, The PoconoArts Community Cultural Center, and all they offer the creative community at www.poconoarts.org.

Although many consider The PoconoArts Council’s Members Exhibition to be the climax of the Arts on Main Event, it simply isn’t true. There were still a lot going on. A newly formed DanceWalk/FlashMob moved along the streets of Stroudsburg gathering dancers and walkers throughout the day. The Folk Band “The Lost Ramblers” were also strolling from place to place entertaining everyone they met. In addition to this, there were individual artists and artisans like Pottery by Evelyn, Tanisha Parker, and Thrush who presented their work upon the many sidewalks attendees of the event spied and visited while exploring the many artistic venues offered that day. It was a great day and I look forward to experiencing it again next year as I’m sure many are, too. You’ll find more photograph taken during the day in the Arts in Main 2012 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150988641705421.480789.636000420&type=1.

The Arts on Main event was presented by The Jacob Stroud Corporation which was formed in 1995 in order to revitalize the downtown historical heritage. They continue to establish a healthy downtown environment for residents and visitors to the area. In addition to Arts on Main, The Jacob Stroud Corporation also presents their Annual “Stroudfest” event in September featuring entertainment throughout the day along with opportunities to explore and purchase works created by artists, artisans, and crafters living in and around the Stroudsburg, PA area. To gain more information about The Jacob Stroud Corporation and all they have to offer the community as well as its visitors, Please Explore their Website at www.stroudsburg.net.