Artist of the Month: Donna Marie Boland

Posted on October 3, 2018 by The Dunmorean

By Donna Marie Boland

Hi, my name is Donna Marie Maro Boland. My husband is Sean Damien and I have two beautiful children named Maria Lynn and Sean Robert.

I reside in Clarks Green but my hometown and my heart belongs to Dunmore. This is where I grew up and had some of my most treasured family memories.
I fell in love with art in first grade, when my art teacher, Mrs Briar, decided to have one of my pieces exhibited at the Everhart Museum. I was hooked. Once I retired, I felt something was missing from my life, until I joined this art group.

I’ve had the pleasure to get to know all of these wonderful artists for about a year-and-a-half. And while painting with them, I have come to call a lot of them my dear friends.
The people in this class are not only exquisite artists, but also some of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. Between previous photographers, soldiers, political activists, and other government workers, it is very hard to concentrate on just one person’s conversation at a time, while painting. There is a wealth of knowledge among these intellectual people.
And then there is Jill Swierse, our instructor. She carefully goes around to each and every person in the class, giving artistic advice and personal knowledge of the best way to finish each of our works.
My most treasured piece of artwork is the one I call, “Love, Mom.” It’s a portrait I painted of my mom on my wedding day. She was so beautiful. I gave the portrait to my father for Father’s Day. He recently passed away, but he cherished this picture.

I hope to continue with this group for many years into the future and when my sister, Lynette, finally retires, I’d like to welcome her with open arms into this fun group.

If you like drawing or painting, this is the place to be. This Dunmore Activity Hub is a one-of-a-kind place and I’m so glad to be a part of it.

Artist of the Month: Shirley Nole

Posted on September 5, 2018 by The Dunmorean

Shirley Nole displays her featured painting entitled “Robin in a Treetop.”

Shirley Nole of Dunmore has been named Artist of the Month for September by the Dunmore Activity Hub.

Shirley, who joined the Dunmore Senior Center last spring, says she starting painting as soon as she heard about the sketching and oil painting classes.

Her featured painting is titled “Robin in a Treetop,” and represents springtime to the artist.

“As soon as I heard about the program and saw the beautiful work done by the men and women in the class, I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” explains Shirley.

She gets her inspiration from calendar illustrations and the great outdoors. In addition to working on canvas, she has painted flower boxes, coal pails, water cans, and even garbage cans in order to make them look better on the street and in the yard.

“The artists at the center are unbelievable, with the beautiful work they do!” Shirley enthuses. “They are so helpful to me and will stop working to help me. I have a special friend that will help me when the instructor is busy helping others. She can finish a beautiful painting in one day. I am in awe of her!

“Our instructor, Jill Swersie, helps everyone and I can’t wait for my turn.”

Regarding the Senior Center, Shirley encourages anybody who is home alone to consider joining.

“My son called the center to sign me up, and I am enjoying bingo, yoga, stretching with Gretchen, but most of all sketching and painting,” Shirley says. She also notes that Tai Chi, crochet, knitting and card games are also available for those interested, and that persons who cannot drive can sign up with the transit company for seniors.

“And, the lunch menu is always great!”

Artist of the Month: Martha McAndrew

Posted on August 1, 2018 by The Dunmorean

Martha McAndrew is shown with a portrait she did of her father, Eugene McAndrew, who served in the U.S. Army during World War I.

Martha McAndrew of Clarks Green has been selected as the August Artist of the Month at Dunmore Activity Hub.

She has been painting for 10 years and began studying art formally in 2011 with Al Ondush, who serves as an inspiration for her.

She began painting after she retired in 2002 as administrator of the Primary Health Center in Scranton at the age of 75.

Martha then served on the board of directors of the Center until she resigned this year at 85 years of age. She is extremely proud that the Center has provided 875,000 medical and dental services since it was begun 40 years ago, in 1978.

Her featured painting this month is a portrait of her father, Eugene McAndrew, who served in the U.S. Army during World War I. Martha chose to use a photo of her father taken in 1918 at an Army camp in Jacksonville, Fla., for the Hometown Heroes Project in Dunmore.

“Then I decided to paint the picture in order to honor my dad in my home,” she explains. Mr. McAndrew died in the year 2000 at the age of 94, having always loved the USA and its flag.

As in this painting, Martha finds a lot of her painting ideas “from life.”

“I paint a great variety of subjects–animals, landscapes, ultra modern buildings, Victorian mansions, anti-gun posters, Christmas, Easter and birthday cards, still lifes and cathedrals,” she says.

She finds the painting class at Dunmore Activity Hub “very relaxed and friendly.”

“Jill Swersie, our instructor, is very helpful and makes fine suggestions to each of us on her work. Her hints are very positive and helpful,” she notes

Martha points out, “There is something for everyone at the Hub. The variety of classes and activities is quite amazing. Allison Boga, the director, runs a very organized,–yet very friendly–‘ship’.”