August Artists in a Living Room

As the sweltering heat made steamier by an inconclusive touch of rain on a hot Summer day occupied the minds of many who walked the streets of Stroudsburg, PA, an oasis of creative coolness awaited those whose caravanned travels led them to The Living Room Art Gallery to partake of an Artists’ Reception which occurred on Saturday August 4th. The event celebrated the works of Melissa Benzinger, Marlana Holsten, Melody Rivera, and Jill Swersie whose approach to the visual arts proved to be very different to one another’s in some respects while a certain commonality seemed to weave a thread throughout the entire exhibition. This thread may have been spun from their collective love for the visual arts, which by the evidence of the skill and care they took to create their pieces was amply demonstrated, but there was something even more intangible involved. I may write more on this later.

In the meantime, I would like to take note of how, in spite of the meteorological conditions,  a crowd had gathered outside the gallery waiting for its doors to open. This, unfortunately, has become a rare phenomenon in the local art scene but has become a welcomed expectation in regards to what one would encounter when arriving at a reception held at The Living Room Art Gallery. There are many factors involved in this remarkable enthusiasm among those who regularly support the venue. They include the music, the friends they discover, the art, etcetera but the main magnetic property of these receptions is the sense of freedom of expression that permeates throughout the gallery infecting the life course of all who delve into it’s essence. This atmospheric condition is sadly lacking in the tepid climate prevalent in galleries who depend upon “community support” and shy away from anything that might offend segments of the local population. But, since I’ve written about this in previous articles, I’ll cease my potentially  overstated explications which may well lead to inflicting some post mortem abuse of an equine creature.

Anyways, once one entered the gallery, the variety of the work immediately captures the imagination. It was a mixture of the primitive to the refined along with everything in between. The work of Melissa Benzinger and Melody Rivera reached into our natural instincts with some pieces resembling those pictographs created the Aztec and Mayan priesthood depicting the characteristics of the primal soup we had become spooned from whose dominance in our behavioral existence seems to give us little choice in our societal interactions beyond whether our placement should be in a cup or a bowl. Meanwhile, the cultivated beauty of the images shared by Marlana Holsten and Jill Swersie allows the human soul to explore its myriad of higher dimensions leading us to a sophisticated comprehension of our unknowable knowledge that is common in each of us. The primal screams are quelled but still remain to be called upon whenever we desire to utilize them when the beauty we perceive fails to be enough to validate us.

The music for the reception was presented by Fred O Domus. Fred has become well known for his existential instrumentals and mind bending lyrics. None were disappointed on this account but were, instead, intrigued by an added dimension to his performance. Dressed in what many may consider priestly garb, Fred touched a series of singing bowls which created vibrations echoing not only throughout the room but scored the inner orchestration of each soul who heard them. This sensation combined with guiding words manifested a flow between worlds few knew existed but soon recognized to be their home. It felt like the intangible thread I wrote about earlier in this article for which the words to describe it in more concrete language still eludes me. Perhaps I’ll discover them later.

For now, I can only say Fred completed his mesmeric incantations and later performed what many perceived as a more conventional set which was welcomed by those who sought to leave their uncharted territories in order to return to a more familiar domain. However, Fred’s later performance continued the journey in a more clandestine manner making returning to the ordinary world a bit more challenging.

The reception drew to a close with the drawing of pieces donated by the artists who were featured in the exhibition. The proceeds gained through the raffle benefited the work of The Living Room Gallery as the seek to continue to support and encourage local artists to share their talents in a free and open environment void of any unwarranted influence from society or its obtuse minions. The work presented in this exhibit reflects the gallery’s sentiments and ambitions who, as an art lover, feel privileged to experience.

Marlana Holsten is from Hudson County, NJ but currently lives in PA. Her love for photography began as a child and soon combined with a fascination for nature. Much of her work explores the mysteries of the world around us as her images allows us to rediscover the world and its denizens with every passing glance. You’ll be able to learn more about Marlana Holsten and her work by exploring her Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/marlana.holsten.

Melissa Benzinger (aka Tattooed Heart) is currently a freelance artist whose inspirations derive from her “vivid dream-world and her wildlife-heavy physical location.” In addition to her visually creative endeavors, Melissa is working on a novel and lives in a PA swamp with her fiancée and her cat. You can learn more about Melissa Benzinger and her work by exploring her website at www.tattooedheart.wix.com/tattooedheart.

Jill Swersie has painted professionally for 25 years with her work presented at a variety of galleries ranging from the 1199SEIU Gallery in New York City to The Antoine Dutot Museum and Gallery in Delaware Water Gap, PA. Her experience and talents has also inspire her to share them through art education which she has continually offered both children and adults. You’ll be able to learn more about Jill Swersie and her work by exploring her Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Oil-Painter-Jill-Swersie/106588052759854.

Melody Rivera is majoring in art and de sign at East Stroudsburg University of PA and is in her junior year. I’m afraid I could not ascertain any further biographical information on Ms. Rivera and any additions from anyone who is reading this article would be welcomed. However, a little mystery isn’t a bad thing, either. Smiles.

The current Exhibition featuring the works of Melissa Benzinger, Marlana Holsten, Melody Rivera, and Jill Swersie will continue to be on display until August 30th. The month of September will feature the works of local artists for their group exhibition titled, “Identity.” Artists living in Monroe County, PA and surrounding areas are invited to present their work in the show and are encouraged to drop off their piece at the Gallery on Friday August 31st. The Artists’ Reception will be held on Saturday September 1st and will include Music, an Art Raffle, and a Masquerade Ball. The Exhibition continues until September 30th. You’ll be able to find more photographs taken during the August Artists’ Reception in The Living Room 2012 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150907955845421.475868.636000420&type=1.

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. 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 Find Vienna and many more  to be performing on Tuesday August 14th beginning at 8pm. Please Explore The Living Room Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Living-Room/123978921059378 for more information.