TUNKHANNOCK — The exhibit, “Disabilities Didn’t Get Us Down” is a “celebration of art and working artists,” according to Erica Rogler, Dietrich Theater director.
Rogler said the artists’ show is a collaborative effort of the Dietrich Theater and ArtWorks Tunkhannock, a program offered by Keystone Community Resources, a private organization that originated in Scranton and provides a variety of programs to individuals with special needs.
“Currently, our big push is to get folks working in the community,” said Kristie Baker, Keystone Community Resources program manager. “This is the artists’ first professional exhibition and our goal is to have as many exhibitions as possible in the future.”
A meet-the-artists reception was held on Nov. 22 in the Dietrich Theater’s gallery at 60 E. Tioga St., showcasing the art of Anna Witkoski, A.J. Weidner, Brenda Hunting, Carol Fulkersin, Dean Search, Jeremy Dickinson, Joey Pallando, Karen Frey, Mary Rose Dzursin, Stephen Fronczek, Monica Wilde, Steven Vitale, and William Moore. Mixed media, acrylic and watercolor paintings, drawings and print making were among the mediums represented and available for purchase. Refreshments were provided by Keystone Konfections, the onsite bakery at Keystone Community Resources.
Weidner, an artist from Centermoreland, said he realized his love for art when he was 13 or 14 years old.
“I love art because it gets my mind off everything,” Weidner said.
He learned about ArtWorks while he was enrolled in another program and currently practices “a little bit of everything” on Monday and Tuesday at the ArtWorks studio.
Seven of his pieces are hanging in the exhibit at the Dietrich and among the mediums are mixed media, print making and paintings.
“Cupcake” is the title of Karen Frey’s acrylic painting on canvas. Frey, a Tunkhannock resident, likes being an artist because art allows her to relax. While working on the painting, Frey said, “I felt really good because I work in a bakery I wanted to do a cupcake picture.”
“I love Kaitlin as my art teacher because when I first started, I didn’t like it, but I started enjoying myself and just being with Kaitlin (Bobrovcan, ArtWorks instructor for the award-winning art program),” she added.
Rogler said this won’t be the last exhibit from the program.
“We are thrilled to host the exhibit and we plan to do it again in 2016,” she said. “We’ve extended the (current) show from the end of November through the end of December.”
