Who: Diana Lombardi launched Abington Art Studio in June 2012 and has spent the ensuing years growing the business as she shared a wide range of artistic skills with the community. The family-owned and -operated studio in downtown Clarks Summit has certified art educators who share their passions through courses in mediums such as painting, drawing, sculpture and pottery. The small-group lessons have a student-teacher ratio of 6 to 1, which Lombardi said “gives every student the attention necessary to grow as an artist.” The public also can head to the studio for birthday parties, adult parties, adult workshops, summer camps, scout badge-earning parties, Kids Night Out events, and Mommy and Me classes.
What: Like many other small businesses, Abington Art Studio now faces difficulties in the wake of having to close temporarily to keep its employees and students safe during the coronavirus pandemic. The past few months of uncertainty have been scary, said Lombardi, who must continue to pay the studio’s rent, utilities and other bills. The studio has started selling paint packs for people to make their own paintings at home, which are available for curbside pickup and delivery within 10 miles of the studio (visit abingtonartstudio.com to see the painting options). Handmade masks by MariannB also are available for pickup or delivery. The studio has gone online with some of its courses, too, offering virtual art and clay classes for all ages, and Lombardi is working on ideas for kids’ virtual summer camps.
When/where: Lombardi also has turned to the public for help after being denied relief funds from the government and local groups and said the support from the community, friends and family so far has “truly been a ray of hope in this unprecedented time.” To donate, visit the GoFundMe page “Support the Abington Art Studio” or mail contributions to the studio at 208 Depot St., Clarks Summit, PA 18411. For more information about the studio, call 570-313-0527.
Why: All donations and money received from services will first go toward the studio’s rent and bills, but Lombardi also hopes to be able to help her employees, who have been out of work since it closed. The studio looks forward to continuing to offer its services and spread love for the arts through the community as it approaches its eighth anniversary, Lombardi said.
In her own words: “Your donation would mean the world to us as, along with it, comes the hope that we will be able to get through this difficult time and continue to spread our love for art to our community. We would be able to continue to teach and inspire our students to be creative human beings and find solace in the art they create. Picasso said, ‘Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.’ We all have creative capacities, we just have to tap into it.” — Diana Lombardi
Caitlin Heaney West is the content editor for Access NEPA and oversees the Early Access blog in addition to working as a copy editor and staff writer for The Times-Tribune. An award-winning journalist, she is a summa cum laude graduate of Shippensburg University and also earned a master’s degree from Marywood University. Caitlin joined the Times-Shamrock family in 2009 and lives in Scranton. Contact: cwest@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5107; or @cheaneywest
