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. |
