STAR Gallery features three new artists at a 'Crossroads' for First Friday art walk
Published: July 3, 2009
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"Spaceballs" by Gerry Stankiewicz
Those turning out for this month's First Friday exhibit at STAR Gallery are in for an array of disparate visuals, from futuristic landscapes to the cities of Greece and Italy to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Today, from 6 to 9 p.m., the gallery, located on the second floor of The Mall at Steamtown, will debut its latest show, "Artistic Crossroads." The exhibit will feature the work of STAR member artists Alex Chuplygin, Jason Niznik-Healey and Gerry Stankiewicz.
"They're all young, so we grouped them together," said gallery coordinator and member artist Simona Gavern. "There's a lot of good artistic energy there."
All three come to the exhibit with their own unique perspectives.
Mr. Chuplygin, for instance, does digital paintings that are heavy on science fiction themes.
"It attracts a very young public in our gallery," said Ms. Gavern, adding that Mr. Chuplygin is also having an exhibition of his work at the Steamtown Mall Starbucks.
Mr. Niznik-Healey of Pittston is a photographer who recently graduated from Marywood University. For the exhibit, he plans to display some photos he took while studying abroad in Italy and Greece.
"I do a lot of low-angle shots, shots looking through other things - trees, pieces of architecture," said Mr. Niznik-Healey, 31, who often shoots without looking through the camera's viewfinder.
"I try to do things differently than everyone else does."
Mr. Niznik-Healey's display also will include nature shots of Ricketts Glen State Park and some fashion models he photographed for the local organization Concrete Angels PinUps for Charity.
"His stuff is very interesting and fresh and unusual," Ms. Gavern said.
Then there's Mr. Stankiewicz of Wilkes-Barre who specializes in illustrations and portraits.
A good portion of Mr. Stankiewicz's work is inspired by 1980s pop culture. His subjects include movies like "Back to the Future" and "Spaceballs," Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
"It's the stuff I grew up on, basically," said Mr. Stankiewicz, 26, who works primarily in digital, but also uses acrylics, colored pencils and markers.
In addition to the three artists, the exhibit also will include a live jamming session featuring local musicians Jack Mead, Stanley Svetovich, Bob Ross and Tom Gavern.
Contact the writer: jmcauliffe@timesshamrock.com
Other First Friday events
ON THE SURFACE: photography by Bernd Reinhardt and Giancarlo Mori, Camerawork Gallery, 515 Center St.
SCULPTURE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEXANDRA ROTH AND JOHN INGIAMO: with live music by John Carpenetti, GreenBeing, 334 Adams Ave.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY SUZANNE ZUKOSKI: The Bog, 341 Adams Ave.
JOHN LEVANDOSKI: One Point Design, 101 Pittston Ave.
NATURAL CONSTRUCT: photography by Amy Ahearn and Michael Meyer, Afa Gallery, 514 Lackawanna Ave.
VISUAL MUSIC PART II: photography by Rebecca Tapia, Viva el Caribe, 227 Lackawanna Ave.
RECENT WORKS: mixed media by Paul McCrone, Electric Theatre Company, 321 Spruce St.
eMAC DESIGNS HANDMADE JEWELRY: found and recycled items with beads and crystals by Emily Mchovec, Outrageous, 515 Center St.
L.I.A. (LOCAL INDIE ART): various artists, Duffy Accessories, 218 Linden St.
A CELEBRATION & TRIBUTE TO OUR MILITARY FORCES: various artists, St. Luke's Church, 232 Wyoming Ave.
PENNSYLVANIA SEASONS: photography by Dr. Henry Smith Jr., with music by Daiyana Rodriguez, The MAC Gallery, 123 Wyoming Ave.
SIMULACRUM/SYNCHRONICITY: mixed media/collage by Maura R. Calderone and photography by Allison C. Kaub, with music by Brenda Fernandes, Anthology Books, 515 Center St., second floor.
SUMMER CONCERT PREVIEW: Gallucci Music Students, Gallucci Music, 224 Wyoming Ave.
MUSIC BY TONY VERGNETTI: Dionysus Downtown, 244 Penn Ave.
A WINNING COMBINATION: paintings by Joanne Benson, Phyllis Rennie and Maryann Williams, Creedon's Flower Shop and Art Gallery, 323 N. Washington Ave.
NEW INSTALLATION: various artists, Marquis Art & Frame, 515 Center St.
REFRESHED AND RELOADED: paintings and illustrations by Sarah Christine, with live music by Paul Martin, Northern Light Espresso Bar, 536 Spruce St.
MUSIC BY KID ICARUS: Piazza dell' Arte, Courthouse Square
JANGLES: colorful ceramic and bead jewelry by Jennifer Heynen, with music by Harmony Constant, The Crazy Pineaple, 317 Linden St.
TOWN & COUNTRY: charcoal pastels by Michael Sorrentino, with music by Jim Cullen, City Cafe, 309 N. Washington Ave.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY NICK RANELLA AND JIM MCGRAW, GRAPHIC DESIGN BY SEAN MCHALE AND CRAFTING BY JENNY SHOENER: The Electric City Tattoo Gallery, 620 Spruce St. If you go
What: "Artistic Crossroads," part of this month's First Friday art walk
When: Today, 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: STAR Gallery, second floor, The Mall at Steamtown
Details: Admission is free. For more information, call 969-2537.
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