Local artist Mark Ciocca draws inspiration from Northeastern Pennsylvania’s architecture, trains, historical sites and deep history.
Pictured is a piece of Mark Ciocca’s artwork. Ciocca will display his work at The Gathering Place, beginning March 24.
Pictured is a piece of Mark Ciocca’s artwork. Ciocca will display his work at The Gathering Place, beginning March 24.
CLARKS SUMMIT — Local artist Mark Ciocca will bring his artwork to The Gathering Place on South Street beginning on March 24.
The exhibit will open with an artist reception, providing area residents with a chance to meet the artist and get to know his work.
Ciocca could not be any happier about showing his works at the Gathering Place.
He points out that not only is the organization a great chance to familiarize people with culture, but also serves as a community hub.
“When I saw The Gathering Place open during the Abington Ice Festival, it was packed,” he said. “Both art rooms were filled with kids.”
Ciocca said that The Gathering Place encourages both creativity and positivity.
Ciocca’s work is inspired by Northeastern Pennsylvania’s architecture, trains, historical sites and deep history.
He specializes in pen and ink illustrations.
“For this exhibition, I’m working on a new body of pen and ink illustrations — all original ideas and compositions,” he said. “And that is going to be supplemented with printmaking, both silk screen and linocut cut prints.”
The new illustrations will center on the theme of “moments.”
“I believe that in our lives, we have pivotal times and moments in which we have to make decisions,” he said.
Ciocca points out that the lives of those viewing his work are different, so everyone will view his work differently.
The central piece of artwork will be a compass with not just four directional arrows, but multiple directional choices.
“Each one has a different decision that we come upon in life to decide what we will do with that theme in each arrow pointing arrows,” he said.
He is often asked his motivation in creating art.
“I believe it is the need to reach beyond the standard forms of thought and communication into the world of concepts and visuals and aesthetics,” Ciocca said. “This creates a unique and personal dialogue between artist and viewer.”
He presently teaches the Cyber Art program at Pocono Mountain School District.
He points out that children generally start out with a passion for art, often starting out simply with stick figures.
Somewhere in elementary school, they lose that passion.
As an art teacher, Ciocca refuels their passion and shares his love for art.
Ciocca holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the State of Pennsylvania, a B.S. in Art Education from Kutztown University and an Associates of Arts Degree from Keystone College.
He has completed additional graduate work at Ohio State University, Moore College of Art, Marywood University and other institutions.
