About
February 26th, 1999 keys passed from Rosemary Economopolous to Board Members Sharon Jarvis, Mike Wisnosky and Martha Sampson.
Artists, musicians, vocalists, business and professional people and other arts-minded individuals met on November 15, 1993 to organize an arts council in an area of the Endless Mountains Region that would encompass all of Wyoming County and the western half of Susquehanna County. Bill Daniels, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and Bob Stark, administrator and originator of the Art Exchange, Uniondale, attended the organizational meeting which was held at Shadowbrook Resort in Tunkhannock to offer suggestions. Ideas were further developed at a meeting on January 10, 1994 when charter members discussed the potential of an arts council that would act as a catalyst for generating interest in visual and performing arts. They decided to file articles of incorporation and to compile a list of visual artists, craftspeople, musicians, actors, dancers and writers to build membership in the organization.
In 1995, EMCA was awarded non-profit status and began sponsoring cultural activities such as poetry readings, bus trips and art lectures. Council gained the sustaining support of a few local businesses that enabled it to continue with projects such as "River Reflections", a traveling art exhibit of works by local visual artists and "Dearly Departed", a dinner theatre featuring the Winding River Players of Towanda, PA.
The board never lost sight of its long term goal of acquiring an arts center; and on February 26, 1999, The EMCA Center became reality. The center, located at 302 West Tioga Street, Tunkhannock is a hub of cultural activity. The gallery has exhibits of fine and decorative art, classes and workshops are in session in the upper level areas, and holiday wreath-making workshops were held on the large, wraparound porch. The USAF Heritage Brass Quintet appeared in concert on EMCA grounds and council acted as project director for a concert mini-series and festival at Riverside Park. The number of cultural events and activities we sponsor grows in proportion to growth in membership.
Individuals who are interested in shaping the future of art in our communities are vital to the success of the organization. You are invited to become a member of The Endless Mountains Council of the Arts, this area's primary cultural resource. Visit the center or call 570-836-3622 for information about membership and the events we sponsor.