A June Day with The Arts

On a beautiful pre Summer day, the town of Stroudsburg, PA offered an opportunity for art lovers to spend the afternoon and evening pursuing the galleries that line its Main Street area during an Art Walk held on Saturday June 6^th. These galleries included DR's Custom Framing and Art Gallery, The SOHO in the Burg Gallery, The Origins Gallery, and The Sherman Theater's Living Room Gallery. Each establishment had its own flavor extending a variety of welcoming images to those who ventured into town that day.

The first gallery I visited in my travels was DR's Custom Framing and Art Gallery who featured the work of Jim Hannan. A collection of Charcoals depicting a variety of images filled the wall capturing the essence of the subject through the contrasts and shadings the artists deftly employed. A large number of people attended the Artist's Reception and many became spellbound by the shadows found in each piece. The exhibition continues until June 30^th and I recommend stopping in to view the work of Jim Hannan along with numerous pieces created by other highly skilled artists that are on display throughout the shop.

DR's Custom Framing and Art Gallery is located at 730 Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA. In addition to presenting art upon their walls, the shop offers a variety of framing options for artists who seek to present their visual work in an enhancing manner. They also offer  a number of gift items including artist note cards, greeting cards, jewelry, baskets,  posters, and prints. Their next featured exhibition will take place in July with an artist yet to be announced. You can learn more about DR's Custom Framing and Art Gallery by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/D-Rs-Custom-FramingArt-Gallery/115617568553944?fref=ts or their Website at www.drsgallery.com.

The next gallery I traveled to was The SOHO in the Burg Gallery who held an Artists' Reception for their exhibition titled, “Eye Candy.” I was greeted by the gallery's owner, Andrea Robbins-Rimberg, who stood beside a beautiful array of flowers which were arranged outside at the venue's entrance way. Both were pleasant spectacles to behold and served quite well as a preparation to the sights I would see within the gallery.

Intriguing images enticed the eye filled the enormous gallery space as a sizable gathering took in the magical elements embodied in each piece. A number of artists shared their works for the exhibit and their varied approach to the show's theme added to its colorful properties. This inspired a great deal of thoughtfully enjoyable conversation while the delicious victuals prepared and served by Chef G (aka Guarino Cortese) chefIIgo@yahoo.com added their own flavor to every word that was uttered.

The SOHO in the BURG Gallery is located on the corner of 6^th and Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA which was the location of the J. J. Newberry’s store. The Eye Candy exhibition will on display until July 30^th. The next exhibit will take begin in August and details regarding it will be announced in the future. In addition to the art exhibitions, the gallery holds a number of workshops and special art related events. You can learn more about The SOHO in the BURG Gallery and all it has to offer the creative community by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/sohointheburg or from their Website at www.sohointheburg.com.

The next gallery I visited was The Origins Gallery who held an artists' Reception for their exhibition titled, “Napkin Shmapkin - Whatever Happened to Saturday Morning Cartoons?” The work created by local artists consisted of drawings on napkins which were framed and hung throughout the gallery. The napkins displayed depicted a variety of images ranging from simple etchings to complex compositions. Both approaches revealed the talent and imagination of the artists which the large number of attendees to the reception found pleasing and intriguing. The exhibit also featured cells from cartoons that were on loan to the gallery for that evening. These images of Bugs Bunny, Tom and Jerry, Felix the Cat, and other characters brought a wonder to the smiles of many whose memories of their enchantments filled the soul of everlasting childhoods. In addition to the work being displayed, Artist Ted Michelowski shared his talents throughout the evening by drawing caricatures of those who attended the event.

The music for the evening was performed by Adam Bailey www.facebook.com/baileyadam92 which proved to be hypnotic as the musician played upon his guitar accompanied by an array of electronic musical voices who lent their chorus to each excellent piece he skillfully played. A number of announcements were made reflecting the scope of not only the gallery's endeavors but those of the local creative community as well. The evening ended at the venue with their well loved art raffle that inspired a great deal of excitement as prizes were given to those holding the fortunate numbers that were called.

The Origins Gallery is located at 580 Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA. The Napkin Shmapkin - Whatever Happened to Saturday Morning Cartoons? Exhibition ran until June 21^st. Their next exhibition is titled, “Papers, Prints and Frames” and will feature selected printed artworks from decades ago along with a selection of interesting frames and documents of interest. The Artists Reception is scheduled for Saturday June 27^th beginning at 6pm and the exhibit will be on display until July 12^th. In addition to the art exhibitions, the gallery holds a number of workshops and special art related events. You can learn more about The Origins Gallery and how it serves the community by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/OriginsGalleryStroudsburg or their Website at www.originsgallery.org.

The final gallery I visited was The Sherman Theater's Living Room Gallery who held an Artists' Reception for their group exhibition titled, “Music: My Universal Language” which featured the work of Steve Truglio. I arrived rather late to the event but the images which were on display had no less impact on me as their depth and insightful compositions moved the imagination of those who peered into their wonderments. A variety of delicious cupcakes provided by Kitchen Chemistry www.facebook.com/pages/kitchen-chemistry/245276232196?fref=ts sweetened the conversation the artwork inspired.

Unfortunately, my late arrival didn't afford me the opportunity to partake of the musical performance of EvaMarie Swartout www.facebook.com/evamarie.swartout?fref=ts. However, I did experience a mind blowing performance by a band known as Cascavel www.facebook.com/cascaveltheband?fref=ts who consists of Elizabeth on vocals, Kevin on guitar, Rich on guitar, Richard on bass, and Steve on drums. Their psychedelic sounds pierced the the reality of dreams with music that flowed that flowed from one subconscious plateau to another while the solid, kick ass voice of Ms. Elizabeth casted its subliminal spell leading all who were touched by it to the darkest domain within until they rediscovered their bliss. In other words, it was wow.

The Sherman Theater's Living Room is located 522 Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA. The Music: My Universal Language Exhibition continues to be on display until June 28^th. Their next exhibition is yet to be announced. In addition to the art exhibitions, the gallery holds a number of concerts and a weekly Open Mic Series www.facebook.com/OpenMicAtTheLivingRoom?fref=ts that occurs every Sunday evening beginning at 6pm. You can learn more about The Sherman's Theater Living Room and how it serves the community by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/shermanlivingroom?fref=ts.

My day walking with the arts proved to be an enjoyable one filled with wonderful images, music, and conversations that served to enhance my appreciation for the talent I experienced. This was shared by all who came out to partake of the day. Yet, there was tint of sadness among a number of us who remembered the grandeur of Art Walks in the past when the whole community cooperated with one another and it attracted a great number of people who were eager to come to town in order to experience something truly remarkable. The June 6^th 2015 Art Walk was a great one to be a part of, but remembering the past makes one realize it could be so much more.

Luckily, there are members of the creative community who are endeavoring to enhance the events to regain their former glory. This group is known at The Pocono Art District and you can learn more about them and how to become involved by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/ThePoconoArtsDistrict?fref=ts or by contacting them at jackswer@ptd.net. The next Art Walk will take place Saturday July 11^th. I hope to see you there. In the meantime, you'll find more Photographs taken during A June Day with The Arts at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153925098273761.1073741856.91146283760&type=1.

 

Photography by Paparazzi Paul.