Awarding a Creative Journey

The PoconoArts Community Cultural Center in Stroudsburg, PA held an Artists’ Reception on Friday March 7th for their 21st Annual Juried Student Art Show in its main Artspace Gallery featuring the works of students who are enrolled in the school systems scattered around the Monroe County, PA area. These schools included The East Stroudsburg High School - South and North, The Pleasant Valley High School, The Pocono Mountain High School - East and West, and The Stroudsburg High School. The exhibition also included a space for Art Educators Nancy Bohm, Mark Ciocca, and Kris Miele-Beatty while the work of member artists of The Pocono Arts Council were presented in the center’s Studio Gallery and the Morris Berman Collection which was donated by his daughter, Ilona Marmer, was displayed in the center’s Hall Gallery.

One could not escape the captivating effects of the colors and imagery adorning the walls of the main gallery had on the imagination upon those entering the center. The youthful perceptions of the artists created a vibrancy in the work which proved to be infectious to those who peered into the frames encircling many of the pieces. The aesthetic excitement the exhibit inspired the heart of those who have seen a number of years to embark upon a race whose goal was to recapture the youth one remembered having. However, the qualities of the work also had it effects upon the artists’ contemporaries as they recognized their internal and external presence reflected in each piece allowing them a deeper understanding and camaraderie to be shared with each image they embraced.

As indicated earlier, the exhibition is a juried one with Professor Darlene Farris-LaBar of The East Stroudsburg University of PA Art Department, Dr. Yi-hui Huang of The East Stroudsburg University of PA Media Communication and Technology Department, and Suzanne Wefelman serving as jurors. The Award Sponsors were The Monroe County Bar Association, The Pocono Chapter, PA Guild of Craftsmen, and The Pocono Arts Council. A great deal of excitement engulfed the room as PoconoArts Coordinator, Laura Goss, took her place among the multitude of attendees to share her welcoming remarks along with news relating to the organization prior to presenting the winners with their gifts.

In the category featuring Two Dimensional work, the award for third place went to Justin Archbald, second place went to Narissa Hajratalli, first place went to Lisa Marie Asaro, and Allan Gonzales received Honorable Mentioned. In the category featuring Fine Crafts (Functional), the award for third place went to Chris Lee, second place went to Kira Flaherty, first place went to Melissa Tarhovicky, and Mary Cerbone received Honorable Mentioned. In the category featuring Third Dimension Works (Sculpture/Non-Functional), the award for third place went to Sofia Janak, second place went to Katie Corrao, first place went to Britany Corrao, and Agostina Gho received Honorable Mentioned. In the category featuring Photographic works, the award for third place went to Nicholas Cobb, second place went to Kira Warner, first place went to Carlee Haase, and Andrew Krug received Honorable Mentioned. The Best of Show Award was presented to Jordan Couttien for her work titled, “A Mother’s Touch.”

The Artists’ Reception for the Pocono Arts Council’s 21st Annual Juried Student Art Show at The PoconoArts Community Cultural Center in Stroudsburg, PA proved to be an exciting one filled with a great deal of wonderful art allowing one to glimpse into the future of artistic expression of which many of the students participating in the exhibit will play an intricate part in its manifestations. The conversations I shared with many of the artists revealed a depth and insight into the essentials of creativity which allowed my imagination to form a landscape which they will mold as their considerable talents will become refined and redefined as they continue their lifelong creative journeys. You’ll find more photographs taken during the Artists’ Reception in The PoconoArts Community Cultural Center 2014 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152285998065421.1073741882.636000420&type=1.

The Pocono Arts Council’s 21st Annual Juried Student Art Show at The PoconoArts Community Cultural Center in Stroudsburg, PA will continue to be on display in its Artspace Gallery until March 26th. The next exhibits to be presented in the Center’s ArtSpace and Studio Galleries will be The Pocono Arts Council’s Member Exhibition that will begin on Saturday May 3rd with an Artists’ Reception scheduled for Saturday May 17th as part of the town’s Art on Main event. The exhibition will continue to be on display until May 25th.

The PoconoArts Community Cultural Center is part of The PoconoArts Council which is an organization designed to build the communities in which it serves artistically and culturally by providing leadership, service, and education. It does so by offering avenues for artists to display their work through the center and other galleries, educational opportunities for those who would like to explore and/or enhance their creative natures, and encouragement to those who seek to express and/or support the arts. You’ll be able to learn more about The PoconoArts Council, The PoconoArts Community Cultural Center, and all they offer the creative community at www.facebook.com/poconoartscouncil.