The Gathering Place is always looking out for local artists, even in the midst of a pandemic.
While the building in Clarks Summit may be temporarily closed due to an increased number of COVID-19 cases in the area, Dori Waters found a way to keep artists in the spotlight.
Waters, president of the Gathering Place for Community, Arts and Education, asked several artists to donate the use of their images on cards, which are being sold for $3.50 to raise funds for the art gallery.
The artists also stand to benefit from the arrangement; each card contains information about how to purchase the paintings directly from them, Waters said.
Local artists featured include Austin Burke, Lisa Cunningham, Judy Holland, Joe Kluck, Cheryl Korb, Georgio C. Kyriakos, Earl Lehman, Michael Sorrentino and Brooke Wandall.
“It’s a way to promote the paintings,” Waters said. “They’re definitely appreciative and they like the opportunity to help us and promote themselves at the same time. It’s a win-win situation for the artists and the Gathering Place.”
Waters said about seven or eight cards have been sold since the project began in late November, and it will pick up again when the facility reopens, possibly by February.
She said someone saw information about the project online and contacted Burke directly to buy a bunch of cards.
“I’m glad that got the word out for him,” Waters said. “It’s been a successful project.”
Burke, an Archbald resident and the former president of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, had paintings displayed at the Gathering Place in the past and was honored to be chosen for the project.
“It always feels good when somebody says I like your work and I’d like to show it,” he said.
Cheryl Korb of Dalton has also been showing artwork at the facility for several years and is thankful for the opportunity to continue being seen.
“It’s a great place and very helpful to artists,” Korb said. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dori came up with this idea and it very well may bring in some sales for the artists. It lets people know we’re still in our homes, painting and working.”
As another way to promote the local art scene, the Gathering Place recently added a rack where people can leave prints or unframed paintings in sleeves, Waters said.
She also hopes to organize virtual art demonstrations in the coming months. Interested artists may contact her at gatheringplaceCS@gmail.com.
Contact the writer: rtomkavage@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9131
