FUTURE EVENTS

TBA/September 2024 - Spring Class Photography Exhibition

Past Events

SFC Artist Lecture Series with Seth Resnick (Spring 2024)

Unleashing Creativity: Mastering the Art of Visual Storytelling

• Wednesday, May 1, 2024
  5:00pm Reception, 2nd floor, Maffei Gallery
  6:00pm Lecture, 3d floor, Member’s Gallery

• Circle Center for the Arts / Wyoming Valley Art League, 130 S. Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa 18701

Join SFC in welcoming renowned photographer Seth Resnick as he delves into the heart of creativity and visual storytelling in an engaging and transformative lecture. Prepare to be inspired as Seth challenges conventional thinking, empowering you to revolutionize your creative process and unlock new artistic perspectives.

Seth will share his insights on how to enhance creativity, emphasizing the notion that it's not merely about what your pictures are of, but rather what they are about. Seth will inspire attendees to change their thinking and creative process, empowering them to discover new ways of thinking creatively and achieving their artistic vision. 

This lecture will also provide invaluable guidance on effectively pleasing clients while staying true to one's artistic vision, offering key insights for both personal and professional success in the world of photography.

BIO
Seth Resnick is a visionary Master Photographer who has left an indelible mark on the contemporary photography scene. With a dynamic career that spans education, fine art, editorial, stock, and commercial work, as well as groundbreaking entrepreneurial endeavors, Seth has solidified his position as a true luminary in the world of visual arts.

Recognized as one of the 30 most influential photographers of the decade by a leading photography magazine, Seth's work is in high demand for its stunning visual impact, capturing the essence of both natural and manipulated light in his breathtaking graphic images. His portfolio boasts an impressive presence in many of the world's most prestigious publications, with over 2500 features worldwide, and his clientele reads like a "Who's Who" of Corporate America.

A true innovator and creative force, Seth Resnick continues to push the boundaries of visual storytelling, inspiring and training thousands of photographers in cutting-edge digital workflow techniques. His artistic vision and business acumen have positioned him at the forefront of the industry, shaping the future of photography and captivating audiences worldwide with his unparalleled artistry.

Changing The Narrative

SFC Artist Lecture Series with Juvenile In Justice Founder Richard Ross (October 2019)

• Luzerne County Courthouse, 200 North River St., Wilkes-Barre, Pa 18711

Richard Ross is a photographer, researcher and retired professor of art based in Santa Barbara, California. He has been the recipient of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Annie E. Casey and MacArthur Foundations. Ross was also awarded both Fulbright and Guggenheim Fellowships.

After forty years as a Distinguished Professor of Art at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Ross recently retired and became a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate, a volunteer who serves as a voice for abused and neglected children).

His most recent work, the -- In Justice series, turns a lens on the placement and treatment of American juveniles housed by law in facilities that treat, confine, punish, assist and, occasionally, harm them.

As the next Social Fabric Collective Artist Lecture Series speaker he will discuss this comprehensive decade-long documentary project from (35) states illuminating issues affecting young people who are caught up in the justice system and share how this work is being used to advocate for alternatives to incarceration.

An exhibition of Richard’s photographs will be on display in Luzerne County Courthouse from October 2 - October 17, 2019. A portion of that time, October 7-11, 2019, is Juvenile Justice Week.

More Artist Information:

Ross's work has been exhibited at the Tate Modern, London; National Building Museum, Washington D.C; Aperture Gallery, New York; ACME. Gallery, Los Angeles; and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco. He was the principal photographer for the Getty Conservation Institute and the Getty Museum on many of their architectural projects. He has photographed extensively for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, SF Examiner, Vogue, COLORS, Time, Newsweek, Le Monde and many more. A dozen books of his work have been published including Girls in Justice 2015, Juvenile in Justice 2012, Architecture of Authority (Aperture 2007), Waiting for the End of the World (Princeton Architectural Press 2005), Gathering Light (University of New Mexico 2001) and Museology (Aperture 1988).

www.juvenile-in-justice.com

www.juvietalk.com

www.richardross.net

SFC Juvenile Justice and Art Education Community Forum with Richard Ross (October 2019)

• THINK Center, (Basement) 7 South Main St., Wilkes-Barre, Pa 18701

While formulating this semester’s Changing The Narrative program with our community leaders, it was clear that everyone wanted an opportunity for input and local ownership of the resulting art projects that will be produced.

In the spirit of collaboration, Richard Ross will lead conversations about three components (a theater production, art installation, and publication) of his work that cohorts in our community will adapt and create with a local perspective. What we learn together at the forum will be used to inform cohort project leaders from KISS Theater, and Wilkes and Marywood Univiersities.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED DUE TO LIMITED SPACE - PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR SCHEDULE AND ON-LINE REGISTRATION.

Schedule: October 2019

9:30AM Arrival and check in. (Advance registration required due to space).

Isolation Cell and Marywood student sculpture on exhibit.

10:00AM Opening Remarks
Jamie Smith, Executive Director, Social Fabric Collective

10:05AM Juive Talk Monologue Performance #1
Grazia Saporito, High School Student Actor, KISS Theatre

10:10AM Panel #1
Richard Ross, Moderator, Founder Juvenile In Justice
Honorable Fred A. Pierantonio, Juvenile Judge, Luzerne County
Chery Sobieski-Reedy, Attorney, Juvenile Defender Unit, Luzerne County
Angela Zera, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, Luzerne County
John Aciukewicz, Executive Director, CASA of Luzerne County
Matthew Muckler, Esquire, District Attorney's Office, Juvenile Division Chief
Dr. Andrew Wilczak, Associate Professor Dr. Criminology & Sociology, Wilkes University

Q&A

10:55AM Juive Talk Monologue Performance #2
Andrew James, High School Student Actor, KISS Theatre

11:00AM Panel #2
Richard Ross, Moderator, Founder Juvenile In Justice
Nikki Moser, SFC Sculpture Cohort Leader, Asst. Professor of Art, Marywood University
Nina Haskelson, Art Therapy Major, Marywood Univeristy
Carlie Antes, Art Therapy Major, Marywood Univeristy
Jean Lema, Designer, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson / SFC Volunteer

Q&A

12:00-1:30PM Lunch Break
Bring your lunch, or try one of the many options on S. Main St. in downtown Wilkes-Barre.
Isolation Cell and Marywood student sculpture on exhibit.

1:30PM Juive Talk Monologue Performance #3
Lily Abreu, High School Student Actor, KISS Theatre

1:35 PM Panel #3
Richard Ros, Moderator, Founder Juvenile In Justice
Lisa Reynolds, SFC Design Cohort Leader, Digital Design & Media Arts, Wilkes University
Dr. Ashley Hartman, Assistant Professor of Art Therapy, Marywood University
Suzanne Kapral, Director/FounderChildren's Greif Camp, The Lands at Hillside Farms
Nancy Sanderson, Executive Director, NE Pa Philharmonic
Andrew Chew, Sr. Research & Policy AnalystThe Institute for Public Policy & Economic Development, Wilkes University

Q&A

2:10PM Juive Talk Monologue Performance #4
Alex Hanson, High School Student Actor, KISS Theatre

2:15 PM Panel #4
Richard Ros, Moderator, Founder Juvenile In Justice
Jessica Suda, SFC Theater Cohort Leader, Artistic Director, KISS Theatre
Grazia Saporito, actor/student, KISS Theatre
Andrew James, actor/student, KISS Theatre
Lily Abreu, actor/student, KISS Theatre
Alex Hanson, actor/student, KISS Theatre
KaitlynClarke, Certified & Licensed Speech Pathologist, Doctoral Candidate (ABD) Penn State

Q&A

3:00PM Afternoon Break

3:05 PM Panel #5
Richard Ross, Moderator, Founder Juvenile In Justice
Dr. Lori Cooper Ed.D., Assistant Professor School of Education, Wilkes University
Dr. Blake Mackesy Ed.D., Assistant Professor School of Education, Wilkes University
Katherine Pohlidal, Director RMB Women w/ Children Program Misericorida University
Sara Latcham, Academic Coordinator, Wyoming Seminary

Q&A

3:50PM Closing Remarks
Jamie Smith, Executive Director, Social Fabric Collective

4:00PM Forum Ends
Isolation Cell and Marywood student sculpture on exhibit.

4:30PM Think Center Closed

SFC Spring 2019 Photography Exhibition

Compassionate Visual Storytelling

SFC Artist Lecture Series with Deanne Fitzmaurice

Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial and commercial photographer Deanne Fitzmaurice conveys personal, intimate and emotional stories through images. Learn how her method is a blueprint for establishing trust and telling compassionate stories with a humanizing impact.

Deanne has also partnered with foundations and non-profits including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Lucile Packard Foundation. She is a Nikon Ambassador and an assignment photographer for National Geographic, Sports Illustrated and ESPN. Her commercial clients include Apple, Nike, Google and Facebook. Full bio: www.deanefitzmaurice.com

The Artist Lecture Series is a primary way SFC raises money to fund the scholarship program.

More Info:

Compassionate Visual Storytelling, SFC Artist Lecture Series with Deanne Fitzmaurice

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 6:00-8:00pm THINK Center 7 South Main St. Wilkes-Barre, Pa 18701

Corporate sponsorship, donor opportunities, or general questions, please contact SFC Executive Director Jamie Smith

Email: jamie@socialfabriccollective.org Phone: (917) 647-5390

The Invisible Wall

SFC Fall 2018 Photography Exhibition and Fundraiser

THE INVISIBLE WALL project empowers young photographers to visually investigate what divides and unites people. The resulting images strengthen relationships and break down barriers in our region. RSVP below to join us to celebrate their work.

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

• T.W. Shoemaker Art
  312 Wyoming Avenue
  Wyoming, Pa 18644

• 6:00pm - 8:00pm

• Artist Reception, RSVP requested

For sponsorship opportunities and information please contact Jamie Smith: jamie@socialfabriccollective.org  or  (917) 647-5390

Penn State Wilkes-Barre High School Art Show

“Celebration of the Arts” Opening Reception

Thursday, December 6 – 12:15-1:00 PM
Penn State Wilkes-Barre Campus
Old Route 115, Lehman, Pa 186277
Academic Commons: Room 103

Snacks & Drinks, Featuring a Musical Performance by the Wyoming Valley West Small Chamber Orchestra. All participants, teachers, and parents are invited to attend.

Exhibit Dates: December 4, 2018 through January 21, 2019
Penn State Wilkes-Barre Friedman Art Gallery

Free and open to the public. Gallery Exhibit Open Monday through Friday - 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Except when the campus is closed for holidays or emergencies.)

Congratulations to the following Social Fabric Collective alumni who have photographs in the Second Annual Penn State Wilkes-Barre High School Art Show:

Layne Armstrong, Luis Angel Castillo, Abril Castillo, Megan Lee, Elizabeth Mendoza, Lexi Oster, Maria Perez, Ian Poole, Lennese Prince, Valerie Soto, Maddie Swire, Asucena Vergara, and Sarah Wolfe.

The Roots of Circumstance

SFC Artist Lecture Series with Peter Bohlin

All proceeds benefit our fall 2018 scholarship program. Information about more benefits or corporate sponsorships can be found on our Donate page or by contacting:

Jamie Smith: jamie@socialfabriccollective.org  or  (917) 647-5390

Building Community

Photography Retrospective and Artist Reception

Sunday, October 7, 2018

• LINDE Corporation
  118 Armstrong Road
  Pittston, Pa 18640

• 3:00pm - 5:00pm

• Free, open to the public

For sponsorship opportunities and information please contact Jamie Smith: jamie@socialfabriccollective.org  or  (917) 647-5390

Post card image: © 2017 Estefania Pena, SFC Fall 2017

Inward Outward Photography Exhibit

Palo Alto Art Center

1313 Newell Road
Palo Alto, Ca 94301

Exhibition:  May 30 to June 24, 2018

Reception:  Thursday, June 14, 2018

• 5:00pm - 7:00pm

SFC Spring 2018 Photography Exhibit

TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2018
T.W. Shoemaker Art - 312 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, Pa 18644

6:00-6:30PM   RECEPTION

• Meet the artists, get an exclusive preview of their work, and support future student exhibits.

6:30-7:30PM   OPENING

• Free and open to the public.

SFC at Fine Arts Fiesta Wilkes-Barre, Pa May 17-20, 2018

Thursday - Sunday, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, Pa

The Fine Arts Fiesta is the most established festival of its kind in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania!

Founded in 1956 by Annette Evans and Alfred Groh as an annual celebration of the Arts in the Wyoming Valley area, the first Fiesta lasted three days and presented music, dance, drama, sketches and displays. Over the years Fiesta has grown to four days, and continues to thrive as the longest-running free event offered in the City of Wilkes-Barre.

More than 60,000 people attend the event with its fine artist and crafter exhibits, broad range of FREE, continuous performances and two festival-sponsored juried art exhibits for students and adults.

SFC Photography Exhibit Preview & Fundraiser

Tuesday, December 19th 5:45pm - 6:30pm
T.W. Shoemaker Art - 312 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, Pa 18644

Meet the artists, get an exclusive preview of their work, and support future student exhibits.

Wine & cheese sponsored by iGourmet

Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased on the SFC website's Donate page.

SFC Fall 2017 Photography Exhibit Opening Reception

Tuesday, December 19th 6:30pm - 8:00pm
T.W. Shoemaker Art - 312 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, Pa 18644

Free and open to the public

EXPLORE YOUR EMPATHY II

Featuring images captured this fall by ten Social Fabric Collective photographers, this event is your opportunity to meet a group of young artists and see diverse visual perspectives of themselves, their interests, family, friends, various neighborhoods, local events, and daily life experiences from eight high schools in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

This exhibit is also a chance for everyone to experience how creative thinking can have a positive impact on our community!

While the exhibit is free and open to the public, those who attend are encouraged to join our efforts and bring an item that will be donated to Mt. Zion Baptist Church's Our Daily Bread food pantry in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.  (Scroll down for guidelines and list of suggestions.)

Why combine a photography exhibit and food drive?

It is a fair question.  Earlier this fall Social Fabric Collective students went on a trip to New York City.  Part of the itinerary included a visit to the PhotoPlus Expo at the Jacob Javits Convention Center to hear a talk by Gregory Heisler.  (If you're not familiar with his work, and you are interested in portrait photography do yourself a favor and have a look).  A theme of his presentation was to have intention when taking a picture. Why not apply that same idea to having an intention when exhibiting your work?  The group of students in the fall session is very diverse so finding a common thread in all of their pictures could be difficult.  But finding a common purpose seemed like a natural fit.

Having received scholarships and a loaner camera, our students met weekly to discuss their pictures, listen to guest speakers, and engage in group exercises around the concept of empathizing with other people.  By the middle of the fall session the group transitioned to focus on utilizing it's creative energy and a pay if forward attitude to identify a need in the community.  This opening reception is intended to be something that gives everyone a chance to participate in a fun project that will have a meaningful impact.  

With the help and guidance of some local organizations, here are some statistics that highlight the importance of the issue the students chose to explore:

According to the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO), over 14% of the population in Luzerne County is food insecure.

• Food insecurity means that individuals or families are so limited in their resources to buy food that they are running out of food, reducing the quality of their food, cutting out meat, feeding their children unbalanced meals, or skipping meals so that their children can eat.

The United Way of Wyoming Valley estimates the number of children in the area under the age of 18 living in poverty has doubled since 2000.

• Bill Jones, CEO & President of the UWWV discussed these issues with Geri Gibbons in this Times Leader article, Dateline March 2, 2016.

If you need recommendations (besides just bringing the oldest, dustiest can that has been in your pantry for a decade) we've got you covered!  

Social Fabric Collective students have been volunteering for various food banks and distribution centers in recent weeks - It turns out that often times personal items are needed just as much as food - please see below for donation guidelines and a list of items that our outreach has discovered would be most helpful.

You can also visit the Social Fabric Collective Facebook Event Page to RSVP or see what items others are pledging to donate.

Donation Guidelines and Suggestions

Help Social Fabric Collective collect non-perishable food items and other household neciessities for the Mt. Zion Baptist Church’s Our Daily Bread food pantry in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.  All donations will be collected at the December 14, 2016 EXPLORE YOUR EMPATHY II photography exhibit (5:00-8:00P.M.  T.W. Shoemaker Art, 312 Wyoming Ave, Wyoming, Pa 18644).

All accepted items will be delivered to Our Daily Bread on Saturday, December 17th, 2016, and will be put to good use immediately in feeding the hungry in our area. 

All types of nonperishable food items are accepted.  Unopened personal and household items and supplies are also needed.

We cannot accept perishable or opened items and home canned foods, food that is not in its original packaging or items past their expiration date.