The Treasures Found in Trash and Flash

Since it’s first group exhibition was presented in May 2012, The Living Room Art Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA has become a haven for all who seek to explore the myriad dimensions of the arts not commonly found in conventional “community minded” galleries. Artists whose work is deemed “unacceptable” or “unmarketable” in an afore mentioned venue can share their creative voice in The Living Room. Those who seek to hear that creative voice are able to listen so its perceptions can inspire them. This proved to be the case as The Living Room Art Gallery held an Artists’ Reception for their exhibition titled, “One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure” on Saturday July 7th.

The reception was scheduled to begin at 6pm and I arrived only minutes later. But, already, the gallery was teaming with people eager to partake of the work on display as well as the other events scheduled to take place. Along with the 70 pieces of art hung upon its walls, the evening offered a “Trashion Show” consisting of clothing created out of material many would consider trash, an art raffle to raise funds so The Living Room can remain an independent venue for the arts, and music presented both on turntables and live. To say the place was popping with excitement and anticipation would be a gross understatement as the atmosphere of the whole town seemed to acknowledge The Living Room is the best thing to happen to Main Street Stroudsburg in regard to welcoming modernized visitors to the town since the street itself was first paved to accommodate automobiles.

The work presented was both stunning and decrepit as befitting the theme of the exhibition. Like most who attended the reception, I began forming opinion which of the varied pieces I liked and those I weren’t too enamored with based upon their qualities. However, as the evening went on, I engaged in conversations which allowed me to see the qualities I didn’t like in any particular piece were the exact same qualities another person saw that encouraged them to fall in love with it. In other words, “One Man’s Trash is…..” When I realized the theme of the show was being verbally expressed among those who attended the show, I thought, “Cool.”

As the reception progressed, the exhibition’s curator, Shane Izykowski, took to the runway to announce the beginning of the much awaited “Trashion show.” Included in his introduction was an invitation to photographers to share their images with the galley so they may be hung at a special place in which visitors to the establishment can view their work. Rich Berkowitz of The Sherman theater also received special recognition as The Living Room is part of the venue. As the models who were inspired by their coach Cristen Elmore took their first steps upon the catwalk, the sounds of cameras clicking and flashes going off assured many photographs will be seen by The Living Room’s many visitors.

The clothing designed for the “Trashion show” consisted mostly of newspapers, plastics, and other material which find their way to landfills even though a majority of it is suitable for recycling. One can speculate this was intended as a means to encourage recycling among those who attended the show. In any case, DJs Sean Bennett and Jafeezy began to spin their discs exciting the gathering as the fast paced “Trashion show” proved to be fun to watch as Mr. Izykowski gave a description of each piece that were worn.

Some of the clothing was created by a designer and worn by models while some models designed their own clothing. Hair designers from Blondie Salon and makeup artists Vanessa Kresge, Kathy Grebenchinko, Laura Frazier, Keyaira Lynn Von Dred, and Andrew Ozkenel were utilized to enhance the effects of the garments. Unfortunately, I am unable to recall all of the names of the participants who partook of the Trashion Show but I invite those of you whom I neglected to mention to make a comment to this article in order to let yourself be known. Smiles.

As the “Trashion show” concluded, the raffle tickets attendees of the exhibition purchased were pulled and their winning numbers were read aloud. Those who held the winning ticket was presented with the artwork they went for. Congratulations to all who won something wonderful to add to their homes and to all who participated in the raffle as their historic purchase of a single ticket includes them among those who helped to assure The Living Room Gallery remains an independent home for the arts.

After the raffle was completed, the specially constructed runway was torn down to create more mobility in the moderately sized gallery. Although the experience of the “Trashion show” and all its exhilarations were welcomed, so was the opportunity to catch one’s breath and regain one’s composure to continue enjoying the remainder of the evening. And, there was a lot more to enjoy.

A live band consisting of members of the very popular local band named, “Dreams of Fire” took their place to perform on instruments created from everyday materials commonly considered trash. The musicians were Kevin Vanderhoof on cigar box guitar and conventional bass guitar played with a bow, Will McGrath on guitar, and Charlie Abriel on a set of drums consisting of a suitcase with cymbals attached. Their performance proved great creative ability transcends the condition of any medium one is presented with as they filled the room with an auditory treasure emanating from their trash inspired instruments.

As their performance came to its conclusion, conversations remained filled with the excitement of the reception. The Gallery once again earned its denotation of being a “Living” room as the life and liveliness it generated animated all who came to visit with a spark and inspired understanding of how the arts can transform all we are when it is set free from the boundaries some aspects of society seek to infringe upon it. Unlike it’s “Community Minded” counterparts, The Living Room remembers those artists their conventional counterparts reject are part of the community too and they deserve to be heard just as those who wish to hear deserve to do so as well.

The artists who presented their work at The Living Room Art Gallery for their “One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure” Exhibition included James Silverthorne, Marlana Holsten, Amanda Hayes, Abigail Braman, Andrew Ozkenel, Keyaira Daniel, Courtney Jaggers, Toby Sabatine, Martelle, Patty the Poet, Susan and April Field, Vanessa Kresge, Amber Trunfio, Nara Strete, Mary Fontones, A. A. Kresge, John Knapp, Heidi Hooper, Erik and Lisa Diemer, Kayla O’ Connor, Girl From Mars Photography, Christen Elmore, Laura Frazier, Paul Alexander Lijewski, Julie Landgraf, Brother Mark Stephen, Donavan O’ Brien, Jimmy Viola, Alex Quiles, Gregory Montagnino, Jesslynn McCauley, and me. You’ll be able to find more photograph taken during “One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure” Artists’ Reception in The Living Room 2012 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150907955845421.475868.636000420&type=1.

The current “One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure” Exhibition will continue until July 31st. Their August exhibition will feature a selected group of artists and will be followed in September by another exhibition in which artists will be invited to participate. Information on the August and September exhibition is yet to be revealed. In addition to their exhibitions, The Living Room presents a weekly Open Mic Nites occurs every Sunday Evening beginning at 6pm which Musicians, Poets, Writers, and anyone who would like to share their talents with an eagerly accepting audience are welcomed to participate. The Living Room also presents a concert series which includes Edelweiss on Saturday July 14th beginning at 6pm.

The Living Room opened in April of 2012 and is located on Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA next to The Sherman Theater who owns the building. The Art Gallery is organized by members of The Living Room Art  community who include Shane Izykowski, Martelle Jones, Elisa Byrne, Tom LeFevre, Darlene Farris Labar, Sarah Bouma, Toby Sabatine, and Billy Mack. Please Explore The Living Room Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Living-Room/123978921059378 for more information.