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The Call an ART-zine NEWSLETTER with Pocono Center for the Arts!

June 3, 2025

June 2025 Newsletter

President of PCFTA Skip Scheetz:

Giving Us More, and Moor!
I am pleased to report that this season promises to be our best! We started the Sunday after Easter with another capacity audience for arguably our best show yet, and under Jody Singer, our visual art initiatives have drastically expanded.

In a major new development the Pocono Center For The Arts, in collaboration with the Stroudsmoor County Inn, we are teaming up to present a variety of entertainment produced by Stephen DeAngelis, as part of the Stroudsmoor’s summer concert series,

Wednesday evenings, “Music at the Moor.” Three shows are already scheduled for June, July, and August.

A hallmark aspect of this collaboration is giving PCFTA ongoing use of the Stroudsmoor’s beautiful Auradell Gallery! We are lining up renowned artists now so stay tuned. The Stroudsmoor’s commitment to the arts in our community is legendary, and this collaboration will definitely help PFCTA expand our mission.

To kick off this 2025 summer concert series at the Moor, we are thrilled to present a celebration of two remarkable women who discovered within themselves two unexpected passions, and turned them into stellar careers.

Two shining stars, a renowned artist, Heidi Hooper, and a celebrated performer, Meghan Cary, at one eventful evening at a perfect venue, and it’s all happening Wednesday, June 18th., 7PM, doors open at 6PM.

I’m thrilled to mention our own Stephen DeAngelis had a front page article in the Pocono Record two weeks ago, focused on his remarkable career, which follows in this newsletter.

Thanks to Jane MacHale, Editor, and Jody Singer, VP of Visual Arts the following newsletter explains it all, plus what’s happening with insights into our remarkable Art Community!

VP Visual Arts Director Jody Singer:

Arts are Heating Up!

The summer is about to heat up and the Arts in our area are as well! There’s plenty to see and do and create and become involved in – don’t miss out! Check out all there is to offer, and take advantage of the opportunities; be aware of what the other galleries and arts-related businesses are doing as well. Join in, and become part of something wonderful!

We’re looking for all of you and have something for everyone. Stroudsburg and the surrounding area are vibrant in the Arts with live performances by local musicians at many places in downtown Stroudsburg and nearby areas; there’s art installations and murals in both Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg to enjoy; open spaces, and concerts in the Square; fine Arts performances and fun gatherings to explore the Arts.

ART WORKSHOPS & CLASSES are here, hosted by Earth Art Studio and Studio M Glass, both located at Pocono Peddler’s Village in Tannersville, offering a myriad of arts and fine craft lessons for ALL AGES and ABILITIES! Soon you will see the complete listing for Summer and be able to sign up right through our website! Visit Earth Art Studios and Studio M Glass soon! Find hours on Facebook.

This is a magnificent time to visit the area or get involved if you live here! Enjoy and immerse and find out for yourself!

For more info on what PCFTA has in store for the arts this year, please visit our website at: www.poconocenterforthearts.org also, follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Please share with friends and urge them to sign up for this newsletter to know all the current arts related events!

Jane’s Journey Jane Mayhew MacHale, Editor, The Call

Did you know, in Massachusetts, healthcare providers can now prescribe arts and cultural experiences to patients as part of their overall treatment plans? This practice, known as social prescribing, is being implemented through a statewide initiative called “CultureRx,” in partnership with Art Pharmacy and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

We could hardly believe what we were hearing at a recent Lehigh Valley Arts and Culture Alliance event, featuring the keynote speaker Michael Bobbit, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The following are excerpts from his transcript:

“We are here because we believe the arts are essential. I believe they are an essential health and human service.”

“Maybe the world—the non-weirdos—don’t always see us as essential. Maybe we’re stuck in our own tragic second act… suffering from problems we helped create.”

“We practice, celebrate, and promote the ‘starving artist’ ideology like it’s a badge of honor. We’re operating in systems built for another century—rewarding scarcity over entrepreneurship, familiarity over innovation. We defend broken business models not because they work, but because they’re familiar. And in times of crisis, we hear: ‘The arts are dying.’

“But I promise you: the arts are NOT dying. We. Are. Molting. Molting is messy. It’s uncomfortable. It makes us vulnerable. But it’s necessary for survival. We must shed the old skin—not because we’ve failed, but because we’re growing. So how do we molt? We stop tweaking. We start reimagining. We stop measuring success by ticket sales and start measuring by community impact, mental health outcomes, and joy-per-minute ratios. Can we be the R&D lab for society’s toughest problems—housing, transporta-tion, joblessness, racism, homophobia, ableism? Can we reimagine our venues as cultural embassies, not just places to see shows?”

“You’re slammed. You’re under-resourced. You’re afraid of risk. But if we don’t get off the hamster wheel of insolvency and do something different, we’ll stay slammed, stay under-resourced, and feed the fear. Make the room.”

“To adapt, we can’t cling to sacred cows. Everything must be reimagined: Season planning that lacks fiscal or programmatic nimbleness. Do the people we want to engage, even know what they’re doing next year? Shift priorities from preserving the past to generating the future. The ‘old masters’ were innovators, entrepreneurs, disruptors, not preservationists. They would be heart-broken to see us training audiences to only engage with revivals. Rethink exclusive, fiscally wacky subscription models. What if patron loyalty looked more like coffee shops, hotels, streaming platforms, or airlines?”

“Let’s reject the myth that artists don’t need business training. Every arts degree should include: Legal, advocacy, budgeting, mar-keting, pricing, negotiation, and policy tracking. The market knows our business literacy. If we don’t equip our artists, we send them into the world at a disadvantage.”

“Let’s rethink government not just as a funder—but as a design partner. Other sectors help write policy. So can we. Let’s embed creativity into legislation about workforce, housing, health, climate. Let’s make advocacy a core operational function, like HR,

finance, and fundraising. Let’s work with our elected officials—and make sure every candidate has an arts platform.”

“Let me pause and say: I’m not asking you to abandon tradition. Reimagining doesn’t mean losing our roots. It means being brave enough to evolve. Take joy. What if we made joy a strategic priority?”

“in Massachusetts, we did. Doctors now prescribe twelve doses of arts and culture to patients—with a companion ticket—covered by insurers, Medicare, Medicaid. We’re embedding arts in healthcare, education, climate action, housing, transportation, and eco-nomic development. Our cultural districts are tackling street safety and job creation. Employers are including arts in their benefits.”

“Our worth isn’t in the systems we inherited… It’s in the impact we create. That’s where our value lives.”

Michael gives many examples of how to infuse art everywhere, in every way. For the full keynote address, email me at janemmachale@gmail.com I hope we can post this on the PCFTA website. Stay tuned friends. I want to hear of your journeys too!

Be a Keystone Artist for

America250PA Monroe!

A few more artists are needed in the 20 municipalities in Monroe County to sub-mit for a chance to paint their design on a 4’x4’ wooden keystone shape. The sub-missions so far have been fantastic! The keystones will be displayed in each municipality for the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, coming up in 2026. Artists should keep in mind that each keystone should reflect the unique character of the municipality it’s created for – wildlife, natural features, historical significance, or in-spired by the township seal.
All details and application for a submission can be found at:

https://www.poconomountains.com/america250pa/monroe-county/#keystone-art-project

Read all about how Monroe County, Penn-sylvania, along with all other counties in PA, and every state in the Union will be celebrating America’s 250th birthday in 2026, with events, art exhibitions, music and dance performances and a parade and much more! Join us on the Arts & Culture Committee for Monroe County’s planned celebrations, or another com-mittee of your choice. Go to www.mc250pa.org for more information.

“Inspired Artistically,” Show by Marty Carr,

through June 27, in Pike County
Marty Carr of Stroudsburg, PA is a prolific and passionate artist. She will be exhibiting her original and repurposed creations through June 27 at the Office/Gallery at Chant Realtors, 631 Rt. 739 in Lords Valley.

Ms. Carr’s passion for art was fostered at home by her par-ents and artist grandmothers. Marty has experimented with many mediums preferring watercolor and mixed media. Her most recent works in-clude original and repur-posed creations inspired by the female figure, shapes and the movement of trees.
Marty Carr has frequently exhibited in Stroudsburg and in galleries throughout the US and Canada. Chant Realtors LV welcomes her to their long list of the gallery’s area

artists.

The Office/Gallery at

Chant Realtors LV

(570) 775-7337

Contact: Joan Polishook,

Gallery Curator

mamajoan@ptd.net
Local Arts Scene

Join us for an extraordinary celebra-tion of music, art, and resilience as the Pocono Center for the Arts and Stroudsmoor Country Inn proudly present Music at the Moor Tuesday, June 18, 4:30 PM Stroudsmoor Country Inn – Pavilion This inspiring summer evening fea-tures: Meghan Cary – Acclaimed folk-rock artist whose powerful storytelling and electric performances lift hearts and unite voices. Art preview of Heidi Hooper – Known as “The Andy Warhol of dry-er lint,” whose creations are whim-sical, intricate, and profoundly in-spiring. Also, concert events on Wednesday July 9th, and August 20th 2025, artwork hanging in Auradell Gallery will be highlighted at each event. An upcoming “Dinner with The Artist” will be announced on our social media platforms and website, as well as Stroudsmoor Inn’s web page for ticket information, also, (570) 421-6431 X6
6 PM – Doors Open – See a preview of the art of Heidi Hooper at the Moor. Prefix Dinner available at the Inn

7:00 PM – Live Music with Meghan Cary 8:15 PM – Meet & Greet

8:30 PM – Pre-Sale Launch for Music at the Moor From live music to local art and heartfelt connection, Music at the Moor is more than an event— it’s an experience.

Don’t wait – Buy your tickets now! www.poconocenterforthearts.org
Get your tickets for this next PCFTA event at Shawnee Inn, July 20, 4pm!

Online: PoconoCenterForTheArts.org

Free Summer Music Series!

Music on Mondays E. Stroudsburg

Music on Mondays at the Historic Dansbury Depot

Come and enjoy music at the depot.

Music begins at 7:00.

A free will offering will be taken on behalf of the musicians. Bring a chair and your family and friends.

Event is held rain or shine as we move inside the depot if the weather is bad.

Community Concert Series Shawnee

April 1, 2025 – September 16, 2025

Recurrence:

Recurring weekly on Tuesday

7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Free; donations accepted for musicians,

Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, outdoor Pavillion or Worthington Ballroom

Concerts in the Square Stroudsburg

Thursdays, 6 – 8pm

June 12: The Story Retold/Pocono Duo

June 19: Bandana Brothers

June 26: Flyin Blind

July 3: Keith Kenny

July 10: Jonah Smith

July 17: Christian Porter Band

July 24: Video Daze

July 31: Regina Sayles Band

August 7: Tom Graham

August 14: Serene Green

August 21: Sol Katana

Presbyterian Church of the Mountain

Gazebo Concerts Delaware Water Gap

Sundays from 6-7:30 Memorial Day-Labor Day

Bring a chair. Concert will go on at the gazebo, or indoors in bad weather.
Other Art Happenings

“Human Connections” exhibit. Opening Reception on Friday 6/13/25, 6pm-8pm

at Orange Coffee/Art/Music. 14 Main St., Delaware Water Gap PA.

 

Trisha Lowery Lippert Brodhead Creek Heritage Center. The show continues to June 28th. Hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. 1539 Cherry Lane Road, Stroudsburg, PA. I am very proud of this collection and would like to share it with you.

Also see below for Plein Air Workshops with Trisha.
Get on the mailing list to be notified of all upcoming events, and other arts related activities in our newsletter sent bi-monthly at: Info@poconocenterforthearts.org

or send your email contact info to

originsgallery1@gmail.com
Earth Art Studio (Earth Art)

Earth Art Studios – stop in and sign up TODAY! Sign up for classes on the PCFTA website! Offering the Poconos the best selection of locally sourced handmade gifts and a unique creative experience.

246 Stadden Rd Ste 103

Tannersville, PA 18372

(570) 234-7775

 

Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Fun for all ages and all levels of artistic talent. Follow Us on Facebook!

Story by Debbie Kulick

It is always a treat to shine light on someone in our community who has talent and successes that are hidden from most of us. Having had the opportunity to attend some of the most recent Pocono Center for the Arts (PCFTA) concert programs, I marveled at the level of talent that the programs provide from Broadway and beyond. That is primarily due to the connections of one Mr. Stephen DeAngelis.

Not a stranger to the Poconos, DeAngelis was the first Producing Artistic Director of the Shawnee Playhouse. Wonder just what that job does? So did I, so here is the description: An Artistic Director is a leader in the arts, responsible for developing and implementing the artistic vision of an organization, such as a theatre or museum. They oversee artistic productions, manage budgets, mentor staff, and represent the organization to the public. (AI produced) His resume listed name by name could fill a coffee table book of those who he has helped in their careers, over 100,000 performers across all entertainment mediums! He has also produced and created over 300 different Broadway concerts at venues in New York and across the United States, which has featured many Tony Award and Drama Desk Award winners.

He is always looking to help those who are on the way up the ladder of entertainment success. One of the ways he does this is to produce and host a concert series called At This Performance, which has showcased over 1300 Broadway and Off-Broadway

standbys, understudies and alternates since October 2003. He has cast over 3600 network television and radio commercials for leading advertisers which have been recognized with Platinum, Gold and Silver Lions at Cannes. Something those who grew up watching the Disney series “Johnny and the Sprites’ will appreciate his casting of the series, which was a six-time Emmy Award nominated series.

A busy man, Stephen has staged musicals in major theatres across the county in Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Dallas, St. Louis and throughout New York and New England. Chances are if you are a theatre goer, you likely saw something he had a hand in bringing to life.

As such, he has worked with many actors, singers, dancers, directors, choreographers, composers, lyricists, and playwriters who have been recognized with the following distinctions: 282 Tony Award Wins, 932 Tony Award nominations, 209 Primetime Emmy

Award wins, 901 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, 135 Daytime Emmy Award wins, 494 Daytime Emmy Award nominations, 53 Academy Award wins, 164 Academy Award nominations, 147 Grammy Award wins, 486 Grammy Award nominations, 121

Golden Globe Award wins, 377 Golden Globe Award nominations, 6 Pulitzer Prize recipients, 9 Pulitzer Prize Award nominees, and 8 Kennedy Center Award recipients. That’s a lot of work with a lot of talented people!

He also uses his talent, relationships and creativity to support many charities including: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, The Actors Fund (now the Entertainment Community Fund), The Starlight Children’s Foundation, The Hole in the Wall Camp, Give Kids the World Village and Toys of Hom/The American Giving Project. It is always good to see successful folks remember the charitable side of our society.

Aside from working with PCFTA here in the Poconos, his recent projects included directing the 32 nd Annual Oscar Hammerstein Awards which honored Bernadette Peters and casting the production of Kowalski, and off-Broadway project that will be headed to Broadway. An upcoming project for early 2026 includes the New York premiere of a musical adaptation of Brave New World, as well as Going Bachrach, a musical tribute to the iconic music of the late Burt Bachrach. Whew!

Tapping into his many connections, DeAngelis will provide us here in the Poconos a taste of his talent connections this summer and fall with PCFTA’s AT THIS PERFORMANCE concerts. The two remaining concerts are on July 20, a Broadway Summer Celebration at Shawnee Inn and on November 23 rd the Show of Shows presented at Stroudsmoor (More information at: www.PoconoCenterForTheArts.org) He is just a down-to-earth guy with lots of talent, lucky us!

Pocono Center for the Arts Staff

Skip Scheetz, President

Dr. William Watkins Esq., Vice President

Dr. Roger McFadden, Secretary Treasurer

Vice President, Visual Arts Division, Jody Singer

Rich Spezzano, Emeritus

Jane Mayhew MacHale, Editor, The Call

Photography: Jane Mayhew MacHale

www.poconocenterforthearts.org to view all events and changes, donations, etc.

originsgallery1@gmail.com Submission, circulation, questions

The Pocono Center for the Arts is a PA 501(c)3 registered non-profit arts organization, showcasing

Pocono Center For The Arts a 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization 612 Main Street Suite 226 Stroudsburg, PA 18360

Phone: 835-240-6364 www.poconocenterforthearts.org info@poconocenterforthearts.org
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