AJ Arts & Entertainment

By Don McGlynn dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
Reporter / Photographer

Poet and Zen Buddhist priest Norman Fischer said, “We all need to have a creative outlet—a window, a space—so we don’t lose track of ourselves.” The staff at Keystone Community Resource Center has given their clients, and the community, just that, with Artworks Gallery and Studio.

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A work by Serge Hollerbach at the Artworks Gallery and Studio.

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At right, Gallery coordinators, from left, Renee Emanuel and Bill Teitsworth.

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For years, Keystone Community Resource Center has been striving to provide those they serve with special needs a safe and nurturing place where they can reach their highest potential in all areas of life.

To make sure they’re reaching their full potential in the arts, Keystone has opened Artworks Gallery and Studio in downtown Scranton.

“I’ve worked for Keystone for about 30 years,” said artist and co-gallery coordinator Bill Teitsworth.

“Keystone has always had some involvement in the arts and Bob (Fleece, president and owner of Keystone) is aware of that and interested in pursuing it more, and gradually he formed the goal of opening a community art space.”

The space will provide Keystone’s clients, as well as other agencies serving the disabled and the community as a whole, a place where they can take classes and have their work showcased.

Over the summer, Teitsworth and his wife, Renee Emanuel, began teaching some courses at the Afa Gallery and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where they were able to see firsthand just how important these classes can be.

“It’s very important for them to have that outlet, just the same way it would be for anybody to have an outlet,” said Teitsworth.

“The way we teach, we teach everybody the same whether they’re developmentally disabled or not developmentally disabled. We’ve taught on every level. We always approach it the same way, we teach the basics and try to help everybody have a meaningful connection to art history, and you don’t usually find that in classes for disabled artists, so they’re surprised when they see the results.

“It’s gratifying for them and us.”

Classes were put on hold to give Teitsworth, Emanuel and gallery facilitator Nicole Sawicki time to get the gallery up and running.

The gallery has officially opened, after holding its first exhibit “Serge Hollerbach: A Witness to My Time,” Friday, Dec. 4, as a part of First Friday. The three are busy planning a course schedule and are hoping to start classes after the holidays.

“I have always enjoyed teaching, there’s something wonderful about it, there’s something great about sharing your enthusiasm or your love painting and it’s just a lot of fun,” said Emanuel.

“I love to see people develop in their own way. What I love to do is give someone the basic skills and see them express something about their own life.”

“Serge Hollerbach: A Witness to My Time” will be on display until through December.

Following the Hollerbach display, Artworks will be hosting “New Directions,” an exhibit featuring work from Teitsworth, Emanuel and Sawicki, as well as pieces created during the summer by students from Keystone Community Resource Center.

Artworks Gallery and Studio is located at 503 Lackawanna Ave. For details, visit www.ArtsWorksNEPA.com.