Walking the April Art

On a brisk and breezy afternoon, the town of Stroudsburg, PA held the first of it's monthly Art Walks for 2016 on Saturday April 2^nd. A number of the local galleries were open for the day offering a variety of artistic treats to those who came to visit. These galleries were DR's Custom Framing, The Pocono Arts Cultural and Community Center, and The Origins Gallery.

The first gallery I visited was DR's Custom Framing and Art Gallery who held an Artist's Reception for their exhibit featuring the sculpted and painted works of Sean Turrell. The carven wood figures that greeted one upon entering the shop transfixed the eye as each curvature of the work created a flowing sensation within the minds of those who followed its trails. A number of paintings created by Mr. Turrell were also present throughout the gallery and their scratched surfaces manifested a depth embodied in each images that was depicted on canvas. You can learn more about Sean Turrell and his work by exploring his Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/SEANTURRELLartist/?fref=ts or his Website at www.seanturrell.com.

DR's Custom Framing and Art Gallery is located at 730 Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA. The establishment recently completed a remodeling project which expanded their gallery space. In addition to presenting art within their new gallery area, the shop offers a variety of framing options for artists who seek to present their visual works in an enhancing manner. They also offer a number of gift items including artist note cards, greeting cards, jewelry, baskets, posters, and prints. The exhibition featuring the work of Sean Turrell will continue to be on display until May 31^st. The featured artist for their next exhibition is 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 visited was The Pocono Arts Cultural and Community Center who had just completed hanging the work that will be shown during their Earth Speaks II Exhibition which features art relating to the Environmental Crisis. It was a treat to experience the freshly hung work on a day when so few were present in the gallery. This afforded time to commune with each piece and to learn from the lessons it held. An Artists' Reception for The Earth Speaks II Exhibition is scheduled for Saturday April 16^th beginning at 5pm. The day will also include musical entertainment and the creation of street art throughout the town. The work within The Pocono Arts Cultural and Community Center from the exhibition will continue to be on display until April 23^rd.

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 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.

The next and final gallery I visited was the Origins Gallery. They were in the midst of holding an Open House event in which those who arrived were given an opportunity to share their talents in drawing, painting, music, poetry, or however the creative spirit of the venue moved one. I was inspired to move among the artwork of their current Figurative Art Exhibition which was on display until April 4^th. Their next exhibition is titled, “Voice For The Earth II” featuring the work of Adia Gibbs along with pieces created out of Recycled and Found Objects by local artists. All artists are invited to participate. The drop off dates are April 6^th and 7^th. The Artists' Reception is scheduled for Saturday April 9^th beginning at 6pm.

The Origins Gallery is located on the lower level of The Gamers Edge Comics and Games Store www.facebook.com/TheGamersEdgeStroudsburg?fref=ts which can be found at 580 Main St. in Stroudsburg, PA. The Origins Gallery is a contemporary arts gallery within the Pocono Art District having one of the highest and fastest sales records in the Stroudsburg area, provides a space to those who teach the arts to those who would like to learn from them, and continues to do everything with the local community in mind. You can learn more about The Origins Gallery and view images and videos of the event taken by members of their staff and others by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/OriginsGalleryStroudsburg or their Website at www.originsgallery.org.

After leaving the Origins Gallery, my traveling companions and I felt the pangs of hunger within our beings. It was then we decided to go off the beaten path of the Art Walk to enjoy a meal at the newly opened AC's Diner, Cafe, and Arcade. It was to our pleasant surprise the venue had some entertainment for the evening. The Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe impersonators were present to provide music for the ears and candy for the eyes. A great deal of excitement emanated from the establishment's patrons as the performances were accompanied with their dancing and rhythmic clapping. It was during this melange of joy did we end our day.

AC's Diner, Cafe, and Arcade is located at 564 Main St. in Stroudsburg, PA and is owned by Craig Deboer and A. J. Hiller. The establishment opened on Thursday February 11^th, 2016 and is part of a Main Street Plaza which will house a MMA gym, a church, a juice bar, and a dance studio. The plaza was scheduled to be fully open to the public by Friday April 1^st, but it appears to be currently under construction. In the meantime, AC's is open and serves meals at reasonable prices reflecting a simple cuisine and features an Ice Cream Soda Fountain along with a variety of baked goods. AC's also offers a variety of activities which includes a Trivia Night on every Monday beginning at 7pm, a Family Movie Double Feature Night every Tuesday beginning at 6pm, a Karaoke Night every Thursday beginning at 7pm, and entertainment every weekend with live music and DJ Augie. In addition to all this, a prominent Arcade is available to enjoy. You can learn more about AC's Diner, Cafe, and Arcade by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/ACs-Diner-1677574639193749.

The 1^st Art Walk of 2016 proved to be an enjoyable one. The chilled breezes of the day did little to quell the warmth of the art I've seen during my travels to have its welcomed effect. The next Art Walk is scheduled to take place on Saturday May 7^th. The series are scheduled to conclude on Saturday September 3^rd. I hope to see you at many of them as I enjoy sharing the art and the conversations it inspires with you. In the meantime, you can view the photographs I took during my Art Walk Adventure in the Walking with the April Art Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154749864803761.1073741959.91146283760&type=3.

The first Saturday Art Walks are presented by The Pocono Arts District which is comprised of a small group of artists and art lovers who has a desire to enhance the local artistic community. In addition to the art walks, The Pocono Arts District will also present the Annual Art on Main Festival which takes place throughout Stroudsburg, PA on Saturday May 14^th. The day will be filled with performing and visual arts on the streets and in venues such as the Origins Gallery, the Soho In The 'Burg Gallery www.facebook.com/Soho-In-The-Burg-Gallery-871129779587964, and the Pocono Arts Cultural and Community Center. The day will also begin The Forwardian Film Festival www.forwardianarts.org to be held at the Origins Gallery beginning at 6pm and will continue in the following day beginning at 1pm. You can learn more about The Pocono Arts District who are always searching for new ideas which you can share with them through their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/ThePoconoArtsDistrict.

Photography by Paparazzi Paul.