Join us for First Friday Scranton.

Donnie Kirchner

ARTIST'S BIO

Donnie Kirchner began pursuing art quite randomly during the doldrums of the pandemic, first picking up a brush and painters knife in the summer of 2021. Since then, Kirchner has found his footing working with textures and found materials in the visual arts medium. While typically adhering to an earth-tone based color pallet, he stepped out of his comfort zone this summer with a collection inspired by 80’s hues with a macabre theme before returning to form with a showing of small works. This collection contains works from both showings (Death of the Party: Darkness in 80’s Hues and Drowning Lessons: Small Works) as well as a collaborative piece from a live performance with sonic artist Masoller and several new works. Kirchner lives outside of Wilkes-Barre with his wife, author V. Rendina 

Sam Watson 

ARTIST'S BIO

Sam Watson is a multi discipline photographer working with both 35mm & 120 film, digital, and more recently Tintype processes. "Born and raised from the rolling hills of Pennsylvania while also traveling far and wide, at a young age I always admired the way light fell on subjects and in nature. I love the way film portrays light and colors of a scene with its soft tonal range and wide latitude. I have always been a quiet observer type, and with my camera I'm always in search of a particular "feeling" evoked through light. Gravitating towards subjects that offer a bit of grit, quirk, and nostalgia, like a long forgotten dream or deja vu. The work displayed is a representation of finding just that in every day life, the uncommon in common places. Shot on various Kodak 120 film stocks, hand developed in my kitchen, as well as scanned at home, allowing me to be a part of the entire process from inspiration to the final print. Not just taking a picture, but making a photograph

Jessica Maietta 

ARTIST'S BIO

Jessica Maietta is a local Tattoo Artist and Mixed Media Artist. She explores a variety of topics with her art. From street art to spiritualism. Her most recent work is revisiting Transcendence. A topic Maietta touched upon in her 2018 visionary series. Jessica explores what Merkabah’s and alternate states of consciousness look like.. 

Chrissy Manuell

ARTIST'S BIO

Art has always played a part in my life but it was not until 2020 that I started to really dive into a regular painting practice. During the pandemic, I began to throw myself into painting almost daily as a form of therapy. There is something about mixing up your own colors and layering them that is magical. The results often surprise me. I work in mainly acrylics playing with shapes and colors. Nature, flowers and vibrant colors are a constant inspiration in my work and my life. When I'm not painting, I work for a local non-profit, striving to make a difference in the region where I live. I believe that art is for everyone, and everyone is creative