The Artists’ Studio: July 19, 2012

Road Trip

Reiki practitioner and retired art teacher Hana Marritz (www.hanamarritz.com) was inspired to take a shamanic path in life by the Czech fairy tales her mother read to her as a child. A working artist specializing in watercolor, painting, and sculpture, she is one of the many participants in the Wayne County Arts Alliance 10th annual Open Studio Tour. Although the artist has been focusing on collage work recently, most featuring animals, visitors will find numerous sculptures installed across her property. The tour runs July 27 through July 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

The WCAA’s office at the Hawley Silk Mill will serve as a headquarters or those closer to Honesdale might want to start at The Hanson Gallery & Decorium (www.thehansongallery.com) where natural sculptures by woodworker Anthony Chickillo will be featured. The artist will be on hand to answer questions about his work during the entire run of the tour. Other participating artists include Chip and Gloria Forelli, Mark Friedrichsen, Paula Heiser, Joan Hill, Richard Lichtenstein, Hana Gorman, Ioannia “Yanni” Glykokokalos, Joe Kluck, KHeide Kwestel von Borgwardt, Yvonne Parker, Raymond Rocklin, Ellen Silberlicht, and Alan Wood. Call 390-4420 for more information or download an illustrated brochure at www.waynecountyartsalliance.org.

 

Diverse Trio

Long fascinated with “the unknown” and “the inner fears we obstruct,” Scranton artist Allison LaRussa describes her work as a search for emotional depth through layering and an exploration of texture. A graduate of Keystone College, LaRussa is a self-taught artist working extensively in collage and multi-media as well as painting.

“I observe the internal complexities and intricacies within us, in various surroundings and cultures. My mind delves into the beauty within darkness- the mystery, the chaos, dissection of fragments, the raw edges, we are afraid to show,” she offers.

LaRussa’s works are on display at New Visions Studio & Gallery on Vine Street in Scranton along side the mythology/fairy-tale inspired creations of Pocono native Katie Hovencamp, currently pursuing her MFA from Penn State University, and sculptor Evan West, a Kutztown grad now living at Lake Wallenpaupack. A reception for the artists will be held on July 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. Call 878-3970 for more information or visit the gallery online at www.newvisionsstudio.com.
 
 

Two Travelers

Windowbox-Rennes is one of the many pastel paintings created by regional artist Mary Lou Steinberg on a recent trip to France. They’ll be on display Friday through Sept. 8 in a new exhibit at Marquis Art & Frame in Wilkes-Barre titled Two Travelers. The traveling companion in question is Steinberg’s niece Kate Senunas, a junior at King’s College majoring in environmental studies. The student’s photographs from Normandy, Brittany and Paris will also be featured. A reception for the artists will be held on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. The gallery is located on the second floor of Marquis Art & Frame at 122 S. Main Street. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call 823-0518 for more information.

 
 

Submissions Welcome

• Students and artists at all levels are invited to enter up to three works of art in any medium to Riverworks III, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Lackawanna River Corridor Association. Prizes will be awarded, including a $500 cash prize for Best in Show. An entry fee of $10 for the first work and $5 for each additional submission applies. ArtWorks claims a commission of 30 percent on each sale. Jurors include Bernie McGurl of the LRCA, Everhart Museum curator Nezka Pfeifer, and Dr. Vito DelVecchio, president of Vital Probes Inc., a biotechnology company and a well-known local art collector. An exhibit of qualifying works will be displayed at ArtWorks Gallery & Studio on Lackawanna Avenue in Scranton Sept. 6-29. Work must be delivered framed and ready to hang on Friday Aug. 25 or Saturday Aug. 26 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Visit www.artworksnepa.com or call 207-1815 for more information or visit www.lrca.org for more information about the LRCA.

 

•  Camerawork Gallery at Marquis Art & Frame in downtown Scranton is accepting photographs for its September Camera Phone Show. Prints must measure 8 1/2” x 11” or smaller and will be attached to exhibition with pins. Three entries per photographer will be accepted. An entry fee of $3 applies and must be paid in cash at the time of entry. All camera phones and smartphone apps are permissible. The deadline is Aug. 31. Works can be submitted at Marquis Art & Frame at 515 Center St. Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gallery claims a commission of 40 percent on each sale. Visit www.cameraworkgallery.org for more information.

 

• The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation invites the public to join the 2012 “Take Five in the Outdoors” photo contest by submitting entries in five categories: Appreciation of Beauty, Kids in the Outdoors, Outdoor Recreation, Volunteers in Action, and Dogs in the Outdoors. Prizes will be awarded and winning photographs will be featured on the foundation’s website, Facebook Page, and other electronic communications, as well as the fall newsletter. The deadline for submissions is Sept. 3. Voting begins via Facebook Sept. 5. To view the complete set of rules, visit www.paparksandforests.org and click on the Take Five Photo Contest image.