Tis the Season to be Meeting

The Pocono Arts Council held their Annual Business Meeting for 2015 on Friday December 4^th at The PoconoArts Cultural Center in Stroudsburg, PA. The meeting proved to be an opportune time for the creative community to come together to share and explore their mutual love for the art as well as to learn what the 40 year plus organization is doing to promote the arts throughout the Pocono region. A sizable gathering attended the meeting which included representatives from various art related groups and organization, State Legislators and/or members of their staff, Members of the Pocono Arts Council's Board of Directors, and several inquisitive art lovers.

The evening began with some members of the gathering leaving the room where the meeting was being held in order to have a group picture taken. These individuals were among the recipients of the PA Partner in the Arts' Project Stream Grants distributed to those who consistently endeavor to enhance the creative nature of the area and its people. The Grants recipients returned to the meeting room after their images were recorded for prosperity. Once there, secretary for the Pocono Arts Council, Tassy Gilbert, welcomed the gathering to the meeting and officially distributed the grants to those recipients in attendance. Many shared their grateful words to the arts' council along with news of their endeavors.

This was followed by the official commencement of the Annual Business Meeting in which was brought to order by Board of Directors' President, Jeffrey Kash. A number of reports regarding the group's financial, out reach, and membership situation were given. Elections were held in order to select individuals from a list of candidates who desired to serve the Pocono Arts Council as new members of their Board of Directors. This was followed by some sentiments relating to the arts and the work of the group shared by President Kash and the Pocono Arts Council's Executive Director, Laura Goss.

It was soon after this that the meeting was adjourned. This provided an opportunity for the gathering to share congratulatory conversations with those who receive their grants and to learn more about the inspiring endeavors they mentioned. A great deal of food catered by The Thai Orchard Restaurant www.thaiorchidtakeout.com and other culinary delight provided by friends of the arts council were available which added spicy flavor to some of these conversations. An energy filled each voice as words embraced one another with the arms of love.

In addition to all this, The PoconoArts Cultural Center's Artspace Gallery housed the Pocono Arts Council's Annual Holiday Store which had on display a wide variety of arts and crafts items available for purchase with assurances their presence in the buyer's life will make any holiday a special one. These items included Medusa Pots www.medusapots.com created by Larry E. Buss, Photography by Ron Ford, Paintings by Jim Smeltz www.etsy.com/shop/jimsmeltzgallery, Bags and Scarves created by Joanies Creations www.facebook.com/Joanies-Creations-232925090055524, Wood Carved figures created by Claire Marcus www.clairemarcusfinearts.com, and Jewelry along with other adornments created by Mira's Baubles, Bangles, and Beads www.facebook.com/pages/Miras-Baubles-Bangles-and-Beads/221087701287897. The quality and beauty of the work proved to be stunning and will be available for purchase until January 2^nd. You'll find more images taken during the Pocono Arts Council's Annual Meeting and Holiday Store in the Tis the Season to be Meeting Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154393734578761.1073741929.91146283760&type=3.

The PoconoArts Council 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 PoconoArts Cultural 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. Their next exhibition will be their June in January Exhibition featuring Floral and Botanical Art created by local artists. The exhibit will be on display from January 8^th to the 30^th with an Artists' Reception scheduled for Saturday January 9^th beginning at 1pm. The exhibit is an open one and welcomes all artists to participate. The Drop Off Date is Monday January 4^th. You’ll be able to learn more about The PoconoArts Community Cultural Center and all it has to offer the creative community by exploring The PoconoArts Council Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/poconoartscouncil or their Website at www.poconoarts.org.

Photography by Paparazzi Paul.