As I entered the gallery a few minutes before the receptions were scheduled to begin, a number of art lovers were already inside exploring the images it contained. I first began to wonder if I’ve actually arrived late but was soon assured I was indeed early. It was nice to witness such enthusiasm centered upon the little Gallery located within The Pocono Community Theater for these remarkable exhibitions as quite a number of earlier shows were met with little interest by the community.
The calming sensations of the shorelines of the Mediterranean found in the watercolor depictions captured by Mr. Augusta and the photographic works of Mr. Chesnick depicting leisurely lakeside retreats recalling desires among attendees to visit the artists’ beach like scenes just to enjoy the serenity of the view. There are few among us who would not love to go to the beach and enjoy all the amenities such environments have to offer. However, the work presented by Mr. Kopp encourages a slightly different journey toward our inward characteristics defining and redefining our realities through a photographic process known as Chemigrams.
Chemigrams are created through a process which utilizes materials and chemical elements related to photography to manifest images without the use of a camera. This process relies upon the movement of the chemical solutions upon the paper and the light which touches them to create a stain from which an image (in many cases) unforeseen by the photographic artist emerges. The symmetrical beauty contained in the pieces created by Mr. Kopp illustrates the magical properties of the process and proves to be quite intricate in their composition.
As I’ve experienced many retreated events throughout the years, I’ve met with many artists and art lovers who narrowly define what the characteristics of any particular medium should be before it’s considered a legitimate representation of the form. So, I’m sure there are many in the photographic community who feels this process isn’t really a photographic one as it lacks the approach they feel essential to the craft. In other words, there is something lacking in the procedure so it isn’t really photography. However, the Chemigrams which Mr. Kopp creates are images allowed to exist without the interfering recognition of what is lacking in the procedure.
There is also a sense of lack in the images created by Mr. Augusta and Mr. Chesnick. Their depictions of beautiful place seem out of reach for many of us as we are lacking in the funds to partake of their rejuvenating amenities. However, if we really think about it, there are many who do visit such areas and enjoy the sounds of the surf, the hustle and bustle of fellow vacationers, and the calm serenity of a salty breeze upon their faces who have less financial resources than we. So, just as the Chemigram images shouldn’t exist because a camera wasn’t used or people can’t go on vacation if they don’t have “enough” money, perhaps the underlying connection between the entirety of the works presented at The Pocono Community Theater is they allow us to realize there are so many things we can experience if only we just endeavor to do them.
The Exhibitions continues until October 21st. As mentioned earlier, the sizable number of those gathered for the August 25th Artists’ Receptions was an encouraging improvement over the meager attendance encountered during previous ones and it’s hope this phenomenon will begin encouraging more individuals to attend future events related to the visual arts held at the theatre. The dates for their next exhibition is yet to be announced. You’ll find more photographs taken during the receptions in The Pocono Community Theater 2012 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150717369405421.457049.636000420&type=3&l=9cf034d51b.
Thomas Augusta’s exhibition titled, “Mediterrania” is from a collection of paintings created while visiting the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Some of the images were painted on location utilizing the plein-air technique while some were created in the studio from photographic references. Thomas Augusta lives in Portland, PA and paints in his “Crow’s Nest Studios” located in his home. Mr. Augusta is a member several art related organizations and his work has been shown in various galleries in which he received a number of awards for his considerable skills. You can learn more about Thomas Augusta by Exploring his website at www.thomasaugusta.com
John Kopp is a retired commercial photographer and teacher which allowed him to become an active artist/photographer exhibiting his work in various galleries throughout the United States. Locally, he has exhibited at The PoconoArts Cultural Center’s ArtSpace Gallery for which he is currently curating Altered States 2 exhibition and Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg, PA. He is a board member at the Pocono Arts Council. You’ll be able to learn more about John Kopp by exploring his Website at www.johnkopp.com.
James Chesnick has been a resident of East Stroudsburg for the last seven years and attended H.B. studios in NYC to study acting and modeling. He found he liked being behind the lens of a camera just as well. His work has appeared in several galleries in the Monroe County area including The Forwardian Arts Society “Cover to Cover” Exhibition which he was awarded with the appearance of his work on the third issue cover of the groups’ literary and arts magazine titled, “Forwardian.” You can learn more about James Chesnick by exploring his facebook profile at www.facebook.com/james.chesnick.
In addition to hosting art exhibits, The Pocono Community Theater presents a variety of films both popularly current as well revivals of those films released in the past. They also host special events such as their Book Club which explore novels that have been adapted to the screen and are currently being shown. Please Explore The Pocono Community Theater Website www.poconocommunitytheater.org for more information.
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