CLARKS SUMMIT — During the 15th Annual Clarks Summit Festival of Ice, the First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit (FPCCS), along with Elaine Tweedy, held an art show for the community. Tweedy has been coordinator of the Northeast Photography Club and FPCCS art show for six years.
When Tweedy became involved with the church, she brought together one of the Northeast Photography Club’s juried shows and the church art show so there would be both church parishioner participation and photography club participation in one exhibit. Sixteen pieces of a variety of mediums were created by church parishioners and were on display at the show.
This annual art show is a part of the church’s Art Series which takes place from October through May and is comprised of multiple artistic events for the public.
The night before the show opens, a photography club juror judges the submissions made by club members while pieces submitted by church parishioners are part of a separate people’s choice judging and awards.
“This is an extremely welcoming congregation. I always enjoy coming here,” said Tweedy.
The People’s Choice Award, chosen from submissions made by the parishioners, was “Tree,” a photograph submitted by Richard Cochrane. Total visitor count for the Friday night opening and Saturday exhibit was 263, the highest visitor count ever for the show.
Also at FPCCS on Friday night for the Festival of Ice was violinist Mark Woodyatt, a local favorite.
Alan Baker, chair of the music worship and the arts committee at FPCCS, said, “We thought it would be nice if people who came in to see the art had something else in the building at the same time to enjoy so that’s why we brought in Mark (the violinist) and refreshments.” He continued, admitting, “We think of this event as two-pronged; there is something visual and something to listen to.”
Baker also noted, “It is something for our congregation but also for the community. We have this nice building here so why not use it?”
There is a separate arts committee at FPCCS chaired by John Weiss and Richard Cochran who were also directly responsible for bringing the art show into the church.
“Every year, there is great art and a lot of it comes from our congregation, so it is kind of interesting seeing that someone you know is a fantastic photographer or painter,” admitted Baker.
Beverly Bright has been involved with the Art Series committee since it began several years ago. “I think it is very important that we are able to have an art show and we have seen a lot of enthusiasm and consistent interest in it. We have people who come in our door just for this art show.”
Father and daughter Tom and Morgan Yonsky, 12, of Clarks Summit enjoyed visiting the show for the first time. Morgan is herself an aspiring painter who attends Lakeland Jr. High and just started taking art classes at the Abington Art Studio.
