Tag Archives: Dunmore Senior Center

Artist of the Month: Marie Mohila

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Maria Mohila is shown in her home studio that her husband built for her. Marie is holding award-winning paintings “Dogwood and Lilacs” and “Spring Bouquet.”

By Marie Mohila

Upon losing my job at Cinram, where I was Executive Assistant to the President, a dear friend of mine, Ivone Grzech,  suggested I go with her to the Dunmore Senior Center’s oil painting class.  (On a side note, I was actually the flower girl in Ivone’s wedding almost 60 years ago.)  

Never having had any formal painting experience, on a whim I decided to join Ivone and all the other great painters at the Senior Center on Chestnut Street.  A little apprehensive, canvas in tote, I was introduced to the instructor, Jill Swersie.  Jill immediately put me at ease and I began the process of deciding what I should paint.  I chose a landscape scene as my first attempt and as they say “the rest is history.”

I had participated in the class every Monday for about two years and then ventured back to a full time job and therefore had to stop painting for several years.  Upon my retirement five years ago from The Commonwealth Medical College as the Executive Assistant to the President and Dean, I was able to return to the class, which is now held at the Center on Monroe Avenue.

It’s so amazing how one begins to look at nature and life with a new perspective once you begin to paint.  You begin to realize trees aren’t just green, but are many shades of green, and  flowers have brighter and sharper colors.  One just pays more attention to the details of beauty in nature and what we are blessed with.  I truly love to paint anything and everything from flowers in my garden, scenes from vacation photos, and even my daughter (Carrie) when she was a young ballerina. Through this process I found that I most enjoy painting florals.

Jill and the oil painting class were just the beginning of what has blossomed into a love for various genres of painting.  I was a member of Pocono Painters, “Come Paint with Me” plein air painters.  In the past I have also taken several watercolor classes, and oil painting classes at the Abington Senior Center.  I have also taken several painting workshops with local artists Mary Lou Chibirka and Lisa Hannick.

Having entered many local county fairs, the most exciting came when I won a first place blue ribbon, best of section white ribbon and the best of show purple ribbon for my painting “Spring Bouquet,” shown on the right in the above photo.

I have developed a true love for painting and sign my pictures Marie B. M hila as well as placing a heart somewhere in each painting.  

I am so thankful to my friend Ivone, Jill Swersie and the Dunmore Senior Center for the opportunities they have given me to explore my talent as an artist.  I am forever grateful.

Artist of the Month: Janet Lewis

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Janet Lewis photo

By Janet Bierwirth Lewis  

I started painting in high school. Upon graduation I was “the Class Artist,” then I got married, had children and for 10 years, I did the newspaper advertising for David Harris Co. (a division of Sugermans).

During this time I completed my education, finishing with an MBA. Then I started working as an IT manager for the state, and also taught adjunct business classes for Wilkes and Lackawanna Colleges.

When I retired from PENNDOT, I joined several painting groups. Because I was still teaching part time, I didn’t paint as much as I wanted. A friend asked me to join the Dunmore Senior Center painting class, another friend asked me to join Pocono Painters…..and still another friend asked me to join the Abington Senior Center. These were the best decisions I made.

I started painting at Chestnut Street,, then at the new Dunmore Senior Center since their opening. The Dunmore center has easy parking (we all love no parking problems), heating and cooling is fine, storage for the art projects is available. Plus the most important item—we have many talented people willing to help/advise, plus we have the best oil teacher in Pennsylvania ( …she is dedicated, works hard, and does her best to teach us).

This is not just a class; it’s a family group. I have made friends that will be with me forever; we never feel alone!

I am not sure where I get my ideas, but it has to be from real life. I love to do portraits of people and animals, plus I also like still life. I have painted several portraits of family members and friends which have been well received. I am still learning, and hope to improve. However, having fun is my goal (it’s cheaper than the shrink!!!). This is  a wonderful class.

By the way, my husband (Dr. Ken Lewis) also paints and was the July artist of the month.

 

Artist of the Month: Kenneth Lewis

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Ken Lewis

Kenneth G. Lewis, Ph.D., with his painting entitled “Little Joe Escaping from the Zoo.”

Kenneth G. Lewis, Ph.D., of Dunmore, is the Dunmore Activity Hub Artist of the Month for July. Lewis, who started painting when he first started school, has found his artistic inspiration from real life. He initially began painting with the Senior Citizen group at their Chestnut Street location for about a year, then moved over to the present location at the Dunmore Community Center.

His featured painting is entitled “Little Joe Escaping from the Zoo.” As background, Ken explains, “In approximately 2003, a zoo in a small town near Boston purchased a gorilla from the Bronx Zoo in New York City. The gorilla was about 15 years old, larger than normal, very curious, and extremely energetic. He was named ‘Little Joe.’”

One morning Dr. Lewis was watching a nationwide news program and heard the newscaster say that a gorilla had escaped from a zoo in Massachusetts, and a short time later was spotted at the bus stop about two miles away.

“The zoo employees quickly captured Little Joe and stood with him as he watched the commotion on the bus,” Ken explains. “The passengers were concerned because the gorilla had tried to board the bus. It was announced later than Little Joe escaped a second time, going to the same bus stop, and so the zoo made the fence higher!”

Dr. Lewis described the painting class as a good group of people, and adds, “We are fortunate to have a facility like the Dunmore Activity Hub. We have a large parking lot, the building is big enough for several groups to use at the same time, the kitchen is well-equipped, the location is convenient, and we have adequate storage space for our paints, canvases and equipment.”