Words From The Artists

All of the artists featured in the initiative are arts barn instructors and artists.

But, despite their numerous years of artistic endeavors, the Raw Aspirations initiative brought about a lot of firsts for many of them.

Barry Middleton

Artist of the Keystone Common bench, Barry Middleton of Pottsville, said this was one of the first collaborative efforts he’s embarked on — building and designing alongside fellow artist Joanne Minnick.

“We have a great synergy together. This (Keystone Common) was the combination of thought and effort into a piece. We’re already talking about working together again in the future,” Middleton said. “It’s not every day we break from the for-profit art and get to add to the community.”

Middleton also spoke about how he hopes his art brings people together and said it was something that helped bring his family together from far off.

“I’m so happy two of my three sons could make it here tonight … after all’s said and done, I want to share my work, and I especially want my family here to see it,” Middleton said.

Debbie Powell Kramer

Stained glass artist Debbie Powell Kramer constructed numerous glass totems. She said this was a major divergence from her normal work, but a welcomed one.

“When I was first approached, I initially said no. But after some thought and some research, I found a way to contribute,” Kramer said. “In my past life, I was an elementary school teacher and knew I could use this as a teaching moment.”

Kramer added the results panned out like she hoped, but she said the main mission is to educate kids and instill hope for the future.

“The materials, old and recycled glass represent the past and the interactivity of the piece and letting people add to the art here today represent the future —- there are teachable moments and we can make our communities beautiful with things left from the past,” Kramer said.

Joanne Minnick

Minnick also had her own stand-alone work featured at the event, “Mary’s Dream,” which she said is her call to hope from even the deepest hours of darkness.

“Mary’s Dream is a reminder that we get back from life and the earth what we give to it. What we, as individuals and together as a community give ourselves we also get back,” Minnick said.

“Build upon the positive and be a part of change for the future.”

Todd Gladfelter

Chainsaw sculptor of the Busy Beavers’ bench, Todd Gladfelter, said this work diverges from the norm by being an involved piece that took on its own life after it was made.

“I try to travel a lot, and doing so I make things off the cuff and never see them again.

“This was different — it took planning and coordination to make sure I could attend all the events and present it to the public as best I could,” Gladfelter said.

“I’m not sure what Tamaqua needs to thrive, but I hope my work represents an underlying want for cooperation — as the beavers felling a tree could be a symbol of what can be done when they work together.”

Mark Golomb

Wire Willow artist Mark Golomb said this was his first attempt at a tree of a larger scope — normally Golomb works with about 300 wires to create trees only a foot or so tall. Here, he created a 7-foot tree made with thousands of stainless steel limbs.

“This project came from a failed art installation in Williamsport … when things fell through and this opened up, I knew I had the skeletal design work done. It was just a matter of doing it,” Golomb said.

Despite this being a first for Golomb, the message he left patrons with Thursday was one of keeping the arts rooted in our communities so they continue to grow and prosper.

“It’s all too often schools look to cut budgets by getting rid of art programs, home economics, band and other things that really make life worth living,” Golomb said.

“Every child is born an artist, it’s our job to make sure they can remember how when they grow up.”