Silly Artists. Living Rooms Are For Kids

The Living Room Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA held an Artists’ Reception for their December Exhibition on Saturday December 7th featuring the work of Jennifer Amazon, Emilio Arostegui, Nova Chan, and Jody Singer. Along with the art work that was on display, the event served as a fund raiser for a non profit group known as “Lizzie’s Circle” while music for the evening was provided by The Pennsylvania Sunland Singers. The reception proved to be another example of what occurs when excellent art, great music, and a desire to redefine how much fun an gallery exhibition could be combines to enhance the experience of the arts in the local community.

Upon entering the gallery, one could not help but notice the sizable population of balloons who gathered themselves together in groups as they awaited the expected youthful visitors to the venue to arrive. They seemed to be in the process of plotting their buoyant escapades as they knew the children associated Lizzie’s Circle would be quick to utilize their aerodynamic qualities to express their playful nature. It wasn’t long after the arrival of the first groupings of the children before their potential was realized as one after another was grabbed and slapped in order to be transported from one hand motivated by gleeful delight to another.

This activity was merely observed by the “Adults” who accompanied the children through their aloof maturity until the dynamics of the fun filled antics overpowered their intimidations and encouraged many to join in. Balloons flying back and forth filled the air bouncing off surfaces until the penetrating nature of their essence made all forms of boundaries obsolete. Eventually, the distinction between child and adult blurred to the point of obscurity as the laughter embodying the room could only distinguished the ages of the participants through their degrees of vocal pitch. And, even then…..

The fun continued as the children were provided with an opportunity to finish drawings of some seasonal characters begun by a number of notable artist in the area who also assisted them in their creative endeavors. The heads of Reindeers, Elves, and Snowmen quickly became embodied with forms enabling them to move about in the imagination of all who saw the completed anatomy. Colors of all sorts were added which enhanced the imagination even more especially since some of the choice of hues weren’t normally associated with the subjects. But, such are the blessings of creativity and a joyous sound filled the air as each colorful alternative to what was expected became discovered.

It was during this time that the band known as The Pennsylvania Sunland Singers took the stage to perform their melee of joyous tunes. The fun folksy tunes touched each heart who heard it with a smile that reflects the divine essence of the soul and fills it with a laughter realizing the eternal beauty of its nature. The group consisted of Songwriter Eric Funn on guitar and vocals, Kathleen Freeman on Ukulele, Zeke Cats on Violin, Trumpet and an assortment of other instruments, Christopher Cicala on Guitar, and Renee De Moonunit on Percussion who had to eventually go home to care for her child which led to Jerry Fels and Vid Ryan to take her place. Another guitarist joined the group later in the evening but I, unfortunately, neglected to get his name.

A break in the music ensued as the results of the creative endeavors of the children could be recognized. An overwhelming show of appreciation for their imaginative talents where enhanced by the sums of money spent upon the pieces in a special auction held to benefit both The Living Room and the work of Lizzie’s Circle. Well deserved pride filled the faces of the children who saw their work being a part of financial competition as one enthusiastic bidder sought to outdo the other. The amount raised through the auction was over $750 with over $350 going to help continue the work of both groups.

The auction was followed by a raffle in which attendees of the Artists’ Reception could win a piece created by one of the featured artists. The excitement felt during previous occasions when the moment to check whether the numbers upon the ticket one purchased matched that of the ticket being drawn filled many with the familiar pangs of anticipation. The frequent burst of achievement sounded throughout the room as one item was claimed after another.

It was during this time when the gallery’s curator, Shane Izykowski, shared his welcoming remarks and news relating to the gallery and its endeavors to enhance the arts in the area. The winners of the Sky Gallery Competition were announced. The competition was sponsored by Adams Outdoor Advertising www.facebook.com/pages/Adams-Outdoor-Advertising/109436519613 and gave area artists an opportunity to present their work on billboards aligning the highways of Northeast PA allowing motorists to experience their creativity. They selected artists were Airbrush Artist Peter Ambush www.peterambushart.com, Painter John Kolbek www.facebook.com/pages/The-Art-of-John-Kolbek/282847935078689, and Photographer Marty Klotz. Congratulations to all the recipients of this great opportunity.

The lateness of the hour led many who had brought their children to the event to take them home so they could begin dreaming of the adventures they had at The Living Room. It was about this time when The Pennsylvania Sunland Singers retook the stage to continue their performance. The absence of a great number of children allowed the group to perform several pieces some may deem inappropriate for tender ears to hear outside the home. However, the charm inherent in the musicality of the group persisted creating more smiles among the audience who reveled in the more adult (even to the point of being shirtless) oriented performance. You can learn more about The Pennsylvania Sunland Singers and their music by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/sunlandsingers.

As the final notes of The Pennsylvania Sunland Singers echoed throughout the room, the remainder of the crowd began to end their adventures at The Living Room by going home. This left many who had not yet explored the art upon the walls of the gallery with an ample opportunity to do so. One can not help but to be overwhelmingly impressed by the creative power possessed by Jennifer Amazon, Emilio Arostegui, Nova Chan, and Jody Singer as their combined work reached off the wall and found a home within the confines of the soul.

Unlike previous Living Room exhibits whose individual approaches and styles toward the endeavors of each featured artists differed from their fellow presenters creating a clearly definable contrast between each grouping of work, the December exhibit presented artists whose creative similarities created a flow allowing each visitor to gently move from one piece to another while embracing an imaginative narrative inspired by the images. Although the work of each artist embodied a distinctive style unique to its creator, the distinguishing qualities did not impose themselves upon the viewer as they sought to almost consciously compliment each other through their subtleties.

However, the fact that this subtlety exists, the viewer of the work in its entirety becomes encouraged to explore each piece more deeply in order to discover the nuanced qualities of the individual artist. The facets of creativity they encounter through their expeditions enhances not only the art but the viewer as well as the nuanced qualities of their own essence is revealed through their heightened perception of the work’s. The subtle shifts we employ so frequently as we meet one situation and/or person after another until we jadedly fail to recognize their distinguishing characteristics becomes more apparent as we reflect upon the work presented in The Living Room exhibition more closely as its soul begins to create a mirror for our soul to see itself more clearly.

Besides being an extremely gifted artists whose images challenge the imagination to surpass those she creates on canvas, Nova Chan has shared her talents in the education of others so they may realize their own creative potential. These educational venues include The Peter’s Valley Craft Center which is located in Layton, NJ along with numerous private or group classes in Therapeutic Art. Her work can be seen in several venues in the Monroe County area and beyond including having a table at The Castle Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA where she displays her art, jewelry, and magnetic pieces during their Indie First Friday event. You can learn more about Nova Chan by exploring her website at www.novachan.blogspot.com.

Jody Singer is mostly a self-taught artist who has worked in several mediums including pen and ink, clay, fiber arts, painting, photography, and mixed media receiving several awards for his endeavors. Mr. Singer has created classes and workshops for adults and children for various art related organizations and created The Hands In Art Community Arts Center in East Stroudsburg, PA. He also became The Cultural Arts Director for Hemlock Farms Community Association for which he served for several years. Mr. Singer recently created Mountainside Arts which offers a holistic mind, body, and spiritual approach to art education. You can learn more about Mountainside Arts by exploring its website at www.mountainsidearts.com.

Jennifer Amazon is the Director and Educator for the Amazon ArtEd program and is well known for creating art related programs and opportunities for children and adults to transform their creative desires into tangible pieces of art. Being an icon in Art Education, Ms. Amazon’s influence in the lives of those she teaches will assuredly be experienced by art lovers who seek out meaningful expressions for some time to come. She also runs the monthly Amazon Art Party which is the first Drink and Draw in the Poconos. You can learn more about Jennifer Amazon and all she offers the creative community by exploring her Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/Iamazon.

Emilio Arostegui utilizes a variety of mediums as he seeks to create an emotional dynamism through his work. These include paintings and photography whose effects upon the individual who views the work becomes uncannily haunting as it summons the spirit of the innermost realms of his/her nature to make itself known. Mr. Arostegui has presented his work in numerous exhibitions and received several awards for his endeavors. The most recent was receiving Third Place for his work titled, “Looking Around,” at the Prime Photography Gallery located in Stroudsburg, PA during their Reflections Exhibitions which continues to be on display until December 24th at The Stroudsburg Studios in Stroudsburg, PA. You can learn more about Emilio Arostegui by exploring his Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Judasfxcom/67771745591.

As mentioned earlier, in addition to the music and art presented throughout the event, the Artists’ Reception served to be a fund raiser for Lizzie’s Circle which is a non-profit organization who strives to help families of pediatric cancer patients residing in Monroe County, PA to receive active treatment for their illness. They work with these families by assisting them with finances and other specific needs as they arise. You can learn more about Lizzie’s Circle, what they offer the community, and how you can be a part of their worthwhile endeavors by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Lizzies-Circle/215418481867482.

The Artists’ Reception held at The Living Room Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA for their December show featuring the work of Jennifer Amazon, Emilio Arostegui, Nova Chan, and Jody Singer proved to be a fun evening filled with childlike enthusiasm, enriching conversation, life affirming opportunities to help those in need, joyous music, mesmerizing art, and some really delicious food including some eternally yummy Lasagna provided by Vinny D’s www.facebook.com/VinnyDsDeliCatering. In other words, it was a great evening creating many wonderful memories as each attendee took home an anticipation to relive the experience the following month when another Artists’ Reception at The Living Room Gallery will take place. I hope to see you there. In the meantime, you’ll be able to find more photograph taken during the December Artists’ Reception in The Living Room 2013 Gallery Part 5 at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152011186945421.1073741872.636000420&type=1.

The Living Room Gallery December exhibition featuring the work of Jennifer Amazon, Emilio Arostegui, Nova Chan, and Jody Singer will be on display until December 30th, 2013. Their next exhibit which will be a group show inviting local artists to participate utilizing any medium, topic, and/or style they wish to explore and present. The Artists’ Reception will be held on Saturday January 4th, 2014 beginning at 6pm. The work will continue to be on display until January 30th, 2014. Submissions of work will be accepted on Friday January 3rd, 2014 from 6 until 9pm. Please contact the gallery’s curator, Shane Izykowski, at 570-856-1001 for more information.

The Living Room is located on Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA next to The Sherman Theater who owns the building. The Art Gallery is curated by Shane Izykowski. Please Explore The Living Room Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Living-Room/123978921059378 for more information about the venue, what it offers to the community, and how to participate and become involved with the art related work it does.

In addition to their exhibitions, The Living Room presents a weekly Open Mic Nite which occurs every Sunday Evening beginning at 7pm. Musicians, Poets, Writers, and anyone who would like to share their talents with an eagerly accepting audience are welcomed to participate. There is occasionally a featured band or performer scheduled each week that enhances the enjoyment of the event. You can learn more about The Living Room Open Mic Nite Series at it’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/OpenMicAtTheLivingRoom?ref=ts&fref=ts.