AFA Gallery kicks-off 2nd floor grand opening with largest ever Member Artists show on First Friday, July 6th
Now a 2-story gallery on the 500 block of Lackawanna Avenue, AFA triples its exhibition space to 3,600 square feet
Twenty four years ago, a group of area artists got together and founded Artists for Art Gallery, a non-profit organization which has committed itself to raising awareness of the visual arts, providing a platform for regional artists and presenting their work to our community. Better known as “AFA”, the gallery became the anchor for First Friday, a phenomenon which has grown tremendously and is a big part of the revitalization of downtown Scranton. During June’s First Friday event, a total of 35 downtown venues played hosts to artistic, cultural and musical events of all kinds. A quarter of a century ago, AFA was the only kid on the block.
“Our First Friday show in July will be the biggest art show ever in this area- artwork in two floors and 3,600 square feet. It’s the most exciting thing to happen in the local art scene in many years! This expansion will give way for curatorial opportunities for established artists, exhibit opportunities for emerging artists and development of synergies in art education, theater, film, performance, the works.” said Nikki Moser, President of AFA Gallery.
Twice a year member artists, who pay dues to the organization, get to present their most recent work at AFA Gallery which is located on the tony 500 block of Lackawanna Avenue. The building is owned by Dr. Peter Cupple who is also on the board of directors. “By also occupying the 2nd floor, the gallery is tripling its former exhibition space” said Nicole Sawicki, Gallery Coordinator at AFA; “this is an exciting development in our community because we will be doing more to fulfill our mission of introducing this area to talented artists from the region and other parts of the United States.”
Since 1988, AFA has covered the operating costs of putting on a new art show every month through volunteerism, membership dues, and the proceeds from its Annual Holiday Art Auction held in late November. Since deciding to expand, AFA has sought corporate partnerships to improve on its mission, to better serve its members and the community, and to get the message out that it is doing more. Corporate sponsors for 2012 include: Keystone Community Resources, Inc., the “TANGO TENT” at the Lucey’s, Vital Probes, Inc. and Wegmans. Local patrons of the arts, James Clark and Robert Grindle made a personal contribution at the corporate level. When asked why the “TANGO TENT” at the Lucey’s chose to support Artists for Art Gallery, Karen Lucey said: “The visual arts and the Argentine tango flow from the same center.” AFA expects the grand opening to be a well attended event where patrons will flow freely from one floor to the next for a unique Scranton experience.
AFA’s 2nd floor grand opening and Member Show is Friday, July 6, 2012 from 6 – 9 PM. The gallery is open Thursday – Saturday from 12-5 PM. The event is being generously catered by Wegmans.
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