Cover to Cover II

The Forwardian Arts Society held an Artists’ Reception on Wednesday May 16th for their Cover to Cover II Juried Exhibition which was hosted by The Sarah Street Grill (upstairs) Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA. The exhibition served to select what images would appear on the front and back covers of the upcoming issue of their online literary and arts magazine titled, “Forwardian.” Besides an opportunity to meet the artists and photographers participating in the exhibition, the reception offered those who attended a chance to hear poetry read by those who are being considered for inclusion in the upcoming issue as well as being entertained by a musical performance by Emmitt Henry Derrick.

The visual work submitted for the exhibition were judged by James Chesnick, Kim Pollard, and Christa Connolly. James Chesnick’s photographic piece titled, “Spring Tulip” was chosen during the first Cover to Cover Exhibition to appear on the front cover of the 3rd issue of “Forwardian” which was presented online in December 2011 while Kim Pollard’s photographic piece titled, “Night and Day” was chosen to appear on the back cover of the same issue. Christa Connolly is currently employed as the bar manager of The Sarah Street Grill and serves as curator of their gallery.

The work chosen to appear on Forwardian’s Front Cover of its 4th issue is titled, “Signs in the Sky” created in acrylic and ink by Clarissa Jan Ward while the work chosen to appear on the issue’s Back Cover is titled, “Passion” created photographically by Laurinda Faye Rubin. The magazine is scheduled to be available online in June 2012. Other participants in the exhibition included Francine Douaihy, Heather Wojcik, Laurie A. Guzda, Heather McGinley, Kari Nespola, and Marlana Holsten. All those pieces not selected to appear in the front and back covers of the upcoming issue were given honorable mentioned status and will be considered for publication in the 5th issue of Forwardian which is scheduled to be published in December 2012. It was a challenge for the jurors to select the winning pieces as all of the work proved to be beyond outstanding.

The poets who presented their work during the reception were among those who are being considered for inclusion in the upcoming 4th issue of Forwardian. They included Patty the Poet, David Messineo, and Alexa Carpenter who also serves as the magazine’s Poetry and Literary Editor. The event experienced a very modest attendance along with some unexpected adversities experienced throughout the evening. However, the quality of the art and poetry associated with the magazine became quite evident to all who sought to experience it. The exhibition began on Saturday May 5th and will continue being presented at The Sarah Street Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA until July 1st. You’ll be able to see more photographs taken during the Cover to Cover II Artists’ Reception in The Forwardian Arts Society 2012 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150731816120421.459040.636000420&type=1.

The Forwardian Arts Society is a fellowship of people who love the arts seeking to support and encourage creative individuals and groups as they go forward toward their dreams. They do this through their website and popular social networks by posting articles and images of the art related events they experience, sharing information about art related events, opportunities, and educational experiences with the public, and inviting art lovers to participate in events they create such as their Forwardian Film Festival, Forwardian Music and Art festivals, and their literary and arts magazine titled, “Forwardian.”

“Forwardian” was created with the desire to provide artists, photographers, writers, and poets an avenue to express their creativity. Since its debut publication in May 2010, it has gained a reputation for presenting meaningful poetry, engaging stories, and captivating images of the highest caliber. The managerial staff includes Alexa Carpenter (as mentioned earlier) who serves as the magazine’s Poetry and Literary Editor, Chris Sullivan who serves as the magazine’s Assistant Poetry and Literary Editor, Andrea Robbins-Rimberg who serves as the magazine’s Art and Photography Editor, and Paul Adam Smeltz who serves as the magazine’s Publisher. You can learn more about The Forwardian Arts Society, it’s literary and arts magazine, and all they offer to the creative community by exploring their website at www.theforwardianartssociety.com.