Now that Ski Season is winding down…

by Mark Peterson

Are you wondering what to do with yourself now that ski season is winding down? Here’s an idea: get familiar with HAL. The month of March is the when the Hazleton Art League (HAL) holds its members’ group show. For over 75 years, the Hazleton Art League has been bringing the Arts to a city that is better known for coal mining, factories, and distribution centers than for art.

A 40-minute drive from Lake Harmony along Route 940, over the Lehigh River, past White Haven and taking a hard left in Freeland will eventually take you to The Power City.* In the heart of downtown Hazleton, at 31 West Broad Street, stands a former bank building, now the Hayden Family Center for the Arts. Home of the Hazleton Art League, in 1909 its builders claimed it was the first modern fireproof building to be erected in the central coal fields. (Since it is still standing, untouched by fire, apparently, they were right.) The former bank was totally transformed into a center for the arts in 2019, and the only thing that reminds you of its original purpose is the massive vault in the main gallery.

I enjoy being a part of this venerable institution, and I am particularly looking forward to this month’s gallery show. Every first Friday of the month, the Art League holds an opening for a new gallery exhibition. This March 3, from 6-9 p.m., is the opening for our member artists’ group show: Color and Light, an exhibition of visual art, on view March 3-26. Artists discuss their work at Coffee Talk each Sunday following the opening, at 1 p.m. The variety of art may surprise you—ceramics, photography, painting, sculpture, textiles, and more. The fourth Sunday of the month, at 1 p.m., is when the Art League hosts Acoustic Jam. Local musicians stop by and play

See HAL, page 8

Hal

FRom page 6 music in the main gallery at this event.

Some of the perks of my position include being surrounded by creative people and enjoying the wonderful artworks that are on display throughout the Art League. I also enjoy introducing people to the Art League and getting them involved. Young and old alike enjoy coming to HAL. It’s great seeing kids take classes and enjoy our summer art camp (June 19-August 18). We have some longtime members as well, who have been taking classes with us for decades.

Maybe you would like to be a part of the Hazleton Art League. Membership costs only $25 for the entire year, kids under 18 are $10. I’m not going to mention any names, but I encouraged one of Lake Harmony’s own to become a member.

If you come to the March exhibition, you just might see some of this artist’s photography. (Can you guess

who that might be?)

The Art League is always free of charge to visit. The hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1-4 p.m., closed Monday.

If you don’t feel like going to Hazleton, you could always stop in at Peterson’s Ski and Cycle in Blakeslee. You won’t see much art there, but you will see a lot of cool souvenirs, T-shirts, hoodies and of course, ski equipment and bikes. If you don’t feel like going to Blakeslee, you can also visit PSC online at www.petersonsski andcycle.com We hope to ski you soon!

*Hazleton became known as “The Power City” after Thomas Edison operated one of the first electric power plants there in 1884.