Making It in the SVPA Art Market

The School of Visual and Performing Arts (SVPA) in Stroudsburg, PA held their first Maker’s Market on the weekend of November 8th and 9th. The two day event filled the school with eye catching art, delicately crafted pieces, alluring jewelry to adorn the physical form, beautification products designed to assure a healthier texture to the body and soul of those who purchased them, and some really good samplings of cookies. All of the items presented were created and/or sold by artists and other individuals who made a home in the area.

Artists who presented their work included Josue Guardia www.facebook.com/josue.guardia, Cara Parmagiani of Near Enemy Comics www.facebook.com/nearenemy, Ashley Fontones of BeastyFeast www.facebook.com/AshleyFontones, Shane Izykowski www.facebook.com/shaneizykowskiartist, and Marty Carr www.facebook.com/marty.carr.313 with her daughter Emma Wirth serving at her business manager. The high caliber of quality embodied in the work presented among the varied artists represented the zenith of the creativity that has come to the fore throughout the area in recent years. Some images presented brought a heartwarming smile to the soul while others inspired insightful contemplations of the meaningful messages they conveyed through their visions. Yet, there were also some images that shocked the senses through their horrific depictions while deftly maintaining a great degree of beauty and awe which was reflected in the countenance of all who experienced them.

Crafters who presented their work included Bonnie O’Fee of Bonnies Salves and Ointments www.frombonnieskitchen.com who has been making great smelling and healing salves, ointments, natural healing remedies, and aromatherapies for many years, Mary Elizabeth Ranieri-Fontones of Once Upon a Fairy www.facebook.com/onceuponafairy who offered glamorous Fairy houses and their furnishings that lights up every room with sparkle and magic, Melissa Benzinger of Dancing Vulture Designs www.facebook.com/dancingvulturedesigns who harnesses the natural spirit of playfulness and the joy of wildlife through her meticulous needle felt, sculpture, jewelry, and more, Carol Petrucci of Metaphysically Speaking www.facebook.com/pages/Metaphysically-Speaking who offered an assortment of holistically inspired jewelry containing energies designed to heal the soul, and Camille Theresa who, along with her daughter, offered a delightful assortment of palm trees and other delicately made items that brought a smile to all who visited their table. A delicious assortment of cookie samplings were provided by Flying Merswine www.facebook.com/flyingmerswine whose creative menus and tasty dishes from a family run catering company truly compliments any event.

It is often a challenge among artists whose creative nature seldom embraces the intricate complexities of marketing their endeavors to partake of any initiative to do so. It can almost be said there is something in the genome of the artistic temperament that prohibits this metaphysical mergence from taking place. However, the combination of the items and the manner in which they were presented throughout the day at the School of Visual and Performing Arts proved to be a wonderful mixture of creativity and marketing combined to create a satisfying cuisine that gently bridged the dichotomic gap between the two concepts for all who participated along with the modest number of art lovers who came to explore the offerings. You’ll find more photographs taken during the Makers’ Market of  November 8th and 9th in The SVPA 2014 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152519973960421.1073741905.636000420&type=1.

The Maker’s Market presented at the School of Visual and Performing Arts (SVPA) in Stroudsburg, PA continued it’s weekend of opportunities for its participants to offer their endeavors for purchase until Sunday November 9th. The event proved to be a wonderful respite where one can casually view some wonderful work and engage in some thoughtful conversations with the vendors who are present. In other words, it was a great place to do some early Christmas Shopping for the unordinary items that would make the holiday an unique one.

In addition to the Maker’s Market, the School of Visual and Performing Arts (SVPA) in Stroudsburg, PA presently houses its exhibition titled, “Beyond The Harvest” which will be on display until December 15th. Their next exhibit is titled, “Winter’s Wishes” with an Artists’ Reception scheduled for Saturday December 20th beginning at 6pm. The date upon which the exhibit will continue to be on display is yet to be announced. All area artists are welcomed to participate by placing their work related to the theme in the exhibit. The drop off dates are December 18th and 19th. Please contact Jody Singer at mountainsidearts@hotmail.com for more information.

Also, a full performance of “The Nutcracker” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky will be presented at The Notre Dame High School in East Stroudsburg, PA December 6th and 7th as performed by The Northeast Ballet Ensemble. In addition to preparing for “The Nutcracker” performance, Ms. Verdi shares her extensive knowledge of the art form of dance through the classes she conducts at the school. You can learn more information about them, how to reserve your place by registering for them, and learn how to obtain tickets to attend the performance of “The Nutcracker” by calling 570-619-4113 or by emailing her at D1108@ptd.net.

The School of Visual and Performing Arts is located in Stroudsburg, PA and has been instrumental in the creative development of its students for over 20 years. The facility holds classes in dance, ballet, and movement led by Diane Verdi, Paula Heeschen, and Kathy Kroll as well as classes in the theater arts led by Jazmin Ospa and Shellie Bransford. The school also offers a number of workshops with each focusing on a variety of creative disciplines. You can learn more about The School of Visual and Performing Arts by exploring their Website at www.schoolofvisualandperformingarts.org or their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/schoolofvisualandperformingarts.

Photography by Paparazzi Paul.