On Saturday, November 1st, Stroudsburg’s ARTSPACE Gallery will welcome guest artist Myke Maldonado’s new fine art creations, many of which have been directly influenced by the beautiful natural surroundings of the Pocono Mountains.

Born and raised in NYC, Maldonado, a graduate of the prestigious High School of Art and Design, began his profession career as a comic book artist. Over time, he became fascinated by tattoo art, and in 1990 apprenticed as a tattoo artist, while continuing at his “day job” as a comic book artist. Eventually, the transition into the full-time world of tattoo art paid off, and in 2002, after relocating to Stroudsburg, Myke opened up his own tattoo studio/art gallery, Dreamland Creations.

Now that Myke has developed a successful tattoo business, he can spend more time on his painting, focusing on subjects influenced by his bucolic surroundings. He’s a former city-boy who simply loves this area, and his paintings of flowers and nature show it. “I’ve always been an artist. Since I can remember, it’s always been something that’s set me apart from other people, whether its comics, tattoos or fine art.” says Maldonado.

In addition to Maldonado’s new work, you may also view the most recent artistic offerings by the resident ARTSPACE Gallery artists: Irene Bartz, Will Daskal, Doug Gilbert, Jim Hannan, Helen Heeren, Don Manza, Will Michael, Lenore Fiore-Mills and Greg Waltzer.

So, mark your calendars now for Saturday, November 1st from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm! This show will certainly be a highly entertaining and provocative fine art exhibition. It’s one show you won't want to miss! The Gallery is located at 18 North 7th Street, just off Main Street in Stroudsburg.

Looking Ahead: Beginning on Saturday, December 6th, from 12 Noon until 7:00 pm, the members of ARTSPACE Gallery, in conjunction with the Pocono Arts Council, will open up the ARTSPACE Gallery as an art gift shop where everyone who walks through the front door can find a lovely, gift-priced item well within his or her individual price range! Thereafter, the holiday store will be open on weekdays from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm, and on weekends from Noon until 4:00 pm.

It is at this special time of year, the member-artists of ARTSPACE Gallery, as well as a number of participating guest artists and artisans from around the region, produce a number of smaller, more easily affordable, works of fine art, jewelry, pottery, etc., so that all the residents of the Pocono Mountains region can stock up on a wonderful array of personal gifts for timely holiday gift-giving to their loved ones.

If you are an artist or craft-person and would like to sell your work in the ARTSPACE December Holiday Store, or if you want further information on this unique event, kindly contact Debbie Frantz at the 570-476-4460.

Will Daskal

Marketing Director, ARTSPACE Gallery