Though outdoor adventures are the prevailing activity for those who travel to the Poconos on vacation, you can add some culture to your trip as well. Here are the best art galleries to seek out while visiting the area.
Looking Glass Art Gallery
This gallery began as a way to showcase talented local artists but has grown into one that art collectors flock to. Located in Hawley, Pennsylvania, the art pieces you’ll find at Looking Glass Art Gallery are from around the world, including places like Germany, France, Hong Kong, and Mexico. Most of the art here are paintings that include a lot of still-life subjects and rural scenes.
ARTSPACE Gallery
Image via Flickr by cedarsx
Founded in 1991 by a group of professional artists, ARTSPACE Gallery is part of the Pocono Arts Council. Exhibitions change throughout the year, with new ones each month. For example, in February 2018 is the Annual Student Exhibition for students ages 5 to 18. In March is the Annual Art as Spirituality Exhibition that covers spiritual themes in a range of mediums. April is “Earth Speaks,” May is for Pocono Arts members, June is “Nature and Geometry,” and July is “Waterscapes.”
Along with the gallery, the Pocono Arts Council also provides art classes, including drawing, watercolor, oil painting, and workshops for children. It’s located in Stroudsburg, and you can search for Poconos Hotels nearby through HotelPlanner to find the best rates.
Andrei Art Gallery
Also located in Stroudsburg, Andrei Art Gallery features paintings from Ukrainian artist Andrei Protsouk along with works from leading European painters. Andrei’s work focuses on oil paintings that have a vibrant contemporary feel with influences that are both Spanish and Italian. There are events here periodically, so be sure to check the gallery’s Facebook page to find out if there are any during your visit.
Majoch Art Gallery
This gallery can be found in the back of Aura Fabrics in Effort, Pennsylvania, because store owner Ursula Machalick decided to turn an unused room into an art gallery. The gallery currently features Russ Elliot, who focuses on acrylics, giclee, and serigraphs with subjects that include wildlife, landscapes, and endangered species. Since the gallery has only been open since August 2017, it’s still growing, but you’ll find events going on regularly — and not just art events. There are yoga classes, gallery readings, feng shui classes, and poetry readings.
AFA Gallery
AFA stands for artists for art. This Scranton gallery was founded with the hope of promoting an appreciation for visual art and regional artists. The exhibits in this gallery rotate monthly and feature the work of area artists along with those from outside of Pennsylvania. They hold educational programs monthly on the second Saturday and life-drawing classes on the third Tuesday.
Visual arts are so important, and going to these local galleries during your visit to the Poconos can help support local artists. Plus, you might even find a painting or some other piece of art to add to your own personal collection.
