Sophie Rogers
Contributing Writer
Imagine an art exhibit that brings local artists of the Poconos together and allows their art to shine. This is what the new art exhibit at East Stroudsburg University is doing.
The Madelon Powers Gallery opened their first exhibit of the new semester. The exhibit is titled, “Community Curators” and highlights local artists of the Poconos. These artists have not only created their own art but they have also curated exhibitions.
The exhibit features 10 local artists all displaying their unique artwork. The featured artists are Sara Bauer, Joni Oye-Benintende, Tricia Lowry Lippert, Courtney Natt, Andrea Rimberg, Will Rothfuss, Jody Singer, Jack Swersie, Jill Swersie and Teagan Turrell.
“Some artists in this exhibition have curated shows in the community for years, others are just starting out. What they all have in common is the belief that art and cultural activity strengthens and brings value to community life,” said Oye-Benintende in her artist’s statement.
Highlighting multiple curators from the Poconos brings the community closer together by creating connections between residents and local artists. Art strengthens our community and strengthens community engagement.
Artworks featured in the exhibition all have something different to offer to the viewer. The exhibition features many different mediums of art and expresses many different topics.
Bauer, who unfortunately lost her battle with cancer in June of 2025, used wool to create her beautiful works of art. Oye-Benintende, a former ESU professor, works with clay to make sculptural art.
The Swersies are married and both have their artwork featured in this exhibition. Jill specializes in oil painting and Jack specializes in photo art. Lippert enjoys making oil paintings on linen, usually nature themed.
“Art creates a safe space for me to heal,” said Natt in her artist’s statement.
Rimberg specializes in digital photography and features four of these photographs in the gallery. Rothfuss does not stick to one medium and encompasses many themes. Singer enjoys acrylic paints and features a unique piece with fabric in this gallery.
Finally, Turrell works with pen and paper to create smaller artworks with bigger meanings.
Although all these pieces are unique, yet they blend so well together. The artists are able to show their unique art styles while getting to connect and appreciate their fellow artists’ work.
Having the artists display their works in one area exposes more students to mediums and styles of art that they may not have known about.
“I really love how this exhibit brings our local community together, and allows my peers and I to appreciate their art. It was amazing to stand back and take in all the beautiful pieces,” said an anonymous ESU student when asked about the exhibition.
The exhibition located in East Stroudsburg University’s Fine Arts Center opened on Sept. 10, and will remain open until Oct. 10. The gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information on the event, visit the Madelon Powers Gallery Facebook page or email esuarts@esu.edu for more information on the gallery.