April Showers do bring May flowers along with colorful umbrellas.
On April 1, a new public art initiative called #scrantonlove Public Art Project will be launched to create both temporary and permanent works of art that will beautify downtown Scranton, celebrate what is positive about the region, and engage the public in making and experiencing art.
The #scrantonlove Public Art Project, comprised of Lackawanna County, ScrantonMade, The Scranton Fringe Festival, First Friday Scranton, Shantytown Design, Pop Up Studio and the Afa Gallery, are coordinating a number of activities for the public to get involved in.
The consortium’s first event is April Showers, with a goal of celebrating rain. Rain is responsible for creating the area’s beautiful landscape and providing water.
Umbrellas are the perfect symbol for the rain aspect of living in Lackawanna County. Over 500 umbrellas in red, purple, blue and yellow were purchased for the event that will be staged as part of the April 1 First Friday Scranton.
For the past month local artists, members of the community, and organizations, such as Marywood University, Wayne Bank, Willard Elementary, ScrantonMade and Duffy’s Accessories, have been decorating umbrellas which will be used for an arts installation designed by Pop up Studio for the arch on the Linden Street side of Courthouse Square. There will also be installations at Duffy’s Accessories at 218 Linden Street, Needle Law Firm at 240 Penn Avenue, The Keys at 244 Penn Avenue, and Posh Restaurant at 404 N. Washington Avenue. In May, the umbrellas will be changed to flowers for a May Flowers theme.
The public is invited to participate in a First Friday April Umbrella Dance that will be held on the Linden Street side of the courthouse that night. Participants may bring an umbrella or there will be special #scrantonlove Public Art Project umbrellas available for a “pay-what-you can” donation that will support future public art projects.
The dance party will start at 7 pm with music by DJ Conor McGuigan and at 7:30pm the Ballet Theatre of Scranton will perform a selection of short modern dance pieces choreographed by instructor Janine Baux. Ms. Baux will also lead the public in a group “umbrella dance.” People are encouraged to share photos of the event on social media using the hashtag #scrantonlove.
For questions about the April Showers event, contact Maureen McGuigan, Lackawanna County Deputy Director of Arts and Culture, at 570.963.6590, ext. 102 or [email protected]
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