by justin strawser
SHAMOKIN - If there's an open artist invitational and the theme is "Local Landmarks: Favorite Places," would it come as a surprise that a painting of Coney Island Lunch is one of the first things a visitor sees when walking into the Fine Art Gallery at the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities (NCCAH) at Eighth and Arch streets?
"Everyone likes to go there. People come from all over. When people visit, you know they've been there. You can smell it on them," Gloria Zielinskie, of Coal Township said Friday at the opening reception.
The 77-year-old artist had several pieces of artwork in addition to the painting of the well-known Shamokin hamburger and hot dog joint on Independence Street, including the F&S Brewery and St. Edwards Church.
The Coney Island piece was created by taking a few photographs in and around the restaurant and painting different elements onto the canvas, including the iconic sign, a Christmas tree, the owner and customers.
Zielinskie once owned Glozel's Art Store for 20 years. After she retired, she rented space and opened a studio in the Shamokin NCCAH building.
She holds classes Monday night and Wednesday morning. In fact, much of her students' artwork is also featured in the art gallery this month. Michelle LaCrosse, the director of the fine arts gallery, encouraged the students to create work specifically for the show.
"It turned out very well. There's a lot of good landscapes and a lot of familiar places," she said.
Maria Kaminski, a 15-year-old student of Zielinskie, had several pieces of artwork featured on the walls of the gallery. She painted an Irish Valley barn, the United Methodist Church in Mount Zion and sunflowers.
Another familiar painting was of James' Pizza, created by Claude Harrington, French-born award-winning painter.
One of her first times in the city of Shamokin, the owner of the pizza shop bought her a cup of coffee at Dunkin Donuts.
"She treated me so well," Harrington said.
Not all the pieces were recognizable buildings or places. Chris Zukas, of Ashland, painted the view from her kitchen window called "My Evening View."
Nevertheless, the paintings placed together was meaningful for observer Bruce Heefner, of Shamokin.
"I moved here 14 years ago from New Jersey. It's now starting to make sense to me, the local lore and the stories," he said.
Other artists included Alice Marks, Maria Kaminski, Judie Zabawsky, Jerry Cohoon, Regina Dunkleberger, Marian Klingerman, Fredd Scherr, Chris Zukas, Mary Ann Sedinsky, Erlene Bidelspach, Jean Shirk, Ann Doebler, Mila Zyla and Maria Bridy.
The opening reception was held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and was free to attend and open to the public. It runs from Friday to June 22.
Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
The gallery will be open during the Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday.