The butterfly is the quintessential symbol of transformation. That is why it was chosen by the ARTS Engage! Task Force, a collaborative consortium comprised of county departments, social service agencies and arts organizations, for the Butterfly Forest art installation to be held in partnership with the First Friday Scranton Health Fair sponsored by the Lackawanna County Medical Society on Friday, June 7, on the Linden Street Side of Courthouse Square, beginning at 4:30 PM.
The installation kicks off NEPA Transform, which asks the public to reflect on and share stories of transformation in their lives and communities.
Community organizations, businesses, schools and individuals were invited to paint ceramic butterflies starting in February. The butterflies were created by Verve Vertu Arts Studio, part of The Deutsche Institute, in partnership with Moscow Clayworks. The public has been invited to select a butterfly and share their own story of transformation on social media using hash tags: # NepaTransform #ArtsTransform and #ArtsEngage. In addition to the unveiling, there will be other activities, including chalk Hop Scotch boards drawn by local artists, a community Butterfly Dance performed by Ballet Theatre of Scranton, and storytelling activities.
The ARTS Engage! Program was created in 2008, when a partnership was launched between the Lackawanna County Arts and Culture Department and the Lackawanna County Office of Youth and Family Service (OYFS) to support public arts programming that can build pro-social skills in youth and provide access to arts programming. The success of the youth arts led to exploring how the arts can collaborate with other agencies, community groups, and schools to help solve social issues, build community, and increase equity.
In 2016, an ARTS Engage! Task Force was launched with the mission of “improving the quality of life for Lackawanna County residents through access to and participation in artistic, creative and cultural experiences.”
ARTS Engage! Task Force Members include: Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging, Lackawanna County Department of Planning and Economic Development, Lackawanna County Youth and Family Services, Lackawanna County Office of Information Technology, Lackawanna-Susquehanna Office of Behavioral Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention Program, Lackawanna County-Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Outreach Center for Community Resources, The Deutsche Institute, Verve Vertu Art Studio, and the Veteran’s Resource Coalition of NEPA.
The Butterfly Forest installation will also be part of the Lackawanna County Summer Arts Market on Saturday, July 20, on Courthouse Square from 11 AM – 7 PM.
SCHEDULE OF JUNE 7 NEPA TRANSFORM EVENTS
4:30 – 7:30 PM Scranton Health Fair
4:30 – 6:30 PM Storytelling and art
6:30 – 7 PM Butterfly Dance Ballet Theatre of Scranton Choreographed by Janine Baux
7 – 7:30 PM A Taste of StorySlam
The organizations, businesses and individuals who painted butterflies include: Abington Heights High School, Abington Senior Community Center, Afa Gallery, All Saints Academy, Allied Services Behavioral Health Division, Amos Towers, ArtWorks Gallery & Studio, Bank of America, Barrier Breakers & Scranton Running Company, and Black Scranton Project.
Also, Carbondale Active Older Adult Community Center, Charles Sumner Elementary School, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Children of Lackawanna CAO employees, Creative And Performing Arts Academy of NEPA, Constance Denchy, Debra Domenick, Joseph Dominick, Francene Pisano Dudziec, and Kathy Elkins.
Also, Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science & Art, Bonnie Flaherty, Colleen Ford, Friendship House Geisinger Community Medical Center, Geneva House, Allison Grant, Greater Scranton Jaycees and Case Quattro Winery, Girl Scout Troop 30867, Girl Scout Troop 50075, and Girl Scout Troop 50605.
Also, Goodwill Industries International, Inc., Germaine Helcoski, Hollie Hoban, John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Jill Kaszuba, Keystone College, Sam Kuchwara, The Learning Campus, Lackawanna County Employees, and Little Hands Big Art.
Also, Jeannine Luby, Lutheran Academy, Scranton, Susan McDermott, Mid Valley Active Older Adult Community Center, Mid Valley Elementary Center, Mid Valley Secondary Center, Monticello School, NEPA Green Fair, NEPA NOW, NEPA Youth Shelter, and Office of Youth and Family Services Independent Living Group.
Also, Old Forge Elementary School, Old Forge Junior-Senior High School, Liz Parry-Faist, Angela Powell, Jennifer Quinn, St. Joseph’s Center, SkyView Friends Mentoring Program, Riverside Junior-Senior High School, Scranton Fringe Festival, Shiloh Baptist Church Youth Ministry, Michael Sorrentino.
Also, South Scranton Intermediate School, South Side Active Older Adult Community Center, Valley View Elementary School, Valley View High School, Wayne Highlands Elementary School, West Side Active Older Adult Community Center, United Neighborhood Centers Community Education and Revitalization Department, Verve Vertu Art Studio, and Waverly Elementary School.
Also, Wesley Village, West Scranton High School SADD Club and Women To Women: Thrive.
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