Spotlights

Every Sunday, NEPA Creative turns the spotlight on some awesome creatives. This week, we have Mark Charles Rooney! Since 1983, Mark has combined a painting and teaching career that together form the nucleus of his artistic niche. He currently maintains a studio in Hazleton and is a Professor of Fine Art at Penn State University. Mark has been exhibiting his work locally, nationally, and internationally since 1977. His most recent art, a series of mixed media works utilizing elements of drawing, painting and…

Every Sunday, NEPA Creative turns the spotlight on some awesome creatives. This week, we have Esperanza Williams of Moon and Saturn Co.! Born and raised in NEPA, Esperanza (known to friends and family as Espy) and her husband, Travis, are now raising their boy/girl twins, right across the river from where Espy grew up.  Drawing on both her love for her children and inspiration from her favorite artist, Taylor Swift, Espy started Moon and Saturn Co. as a way to unleash her creativity…

Every Sunday, NEPA Creative turns the spotlight on some awesome creatives. This week, we have Billy Brandenburg of Inspired Slacker Artworks! Billy Brandenburg creates artistic visions under Inspired Slacker Artworks. During the week, he works as a science teacher for at-risk students at The Alternative Learning Center in Plains. On the weekends and other select days, he looks for venues to showcase and share his creations.  Billy has done art walks in Northeastern PA-Pittston (his hometown by the way), Wilkes-Barre (his adopted Hometown),…

Every Sunday, NEPA Creative turns the spotlight on some awesome creatives. This week, we have Rachel Mruczkewycz! Rachel is the owner of Photography by Rachel Elizabeth! She grew up in NEPA her entire life. Her love of photography began one summer night when she was 11 years old. Rachel borrowed her mom’s Kodak point & shoot camera and took photos of her pets in the backyard. From there, Rachel’s passion for photography grew as she learned more and practiced over the years. In…

Every Sunday, NEPA Creative turns the spotlight on some awesome creatives. This week, we have Rachel Corby! Rachel Corby is an artist in Scranton, PA. By day, she is an insurance agent, but by night she is an artist. Rachel believes her purpose is to create whimsy and color the world. That’s the only life purpose that ever made sense to her. Rachel is meant to use creativity in order to provoke happiness from anyone who is willing to appreciate it. So, she…

Every Sunday, NEPA Creative turns the spotlight on some awesome creatives. This week, we have Susan and David Thackara of The Front Porch Bake Shop, LLC! The Front Porch Bake Shop, LLC is NEPA’s only open-air bake shop. Created by Susan Thackara in the fall of 2020, The Front Porch Bake Shop offers delicious and sweet treats for all ages, with options for those that have dietary restrictions typically available.  Susan is a full-time high school teacher and mother of two young children.…

Every Sunday, NEPA Creative turns the spotlight on some awesome creatives. This week, we have Michelle Gambo from Make Time 2 Craft!  Make Time 2 Craft is a small business owned by Michelle (Doria) Gambo that operates out of her home in Dunmore, PA. As a full-time healthcare worker, wife, and mother of three, she had a desire to fulfill a creative outlet. A few years back, she began to make and sell jewelry with a co-worker that became a hit with some…

Every Sunday, NEPA Creative turns the spotlight on some awesome creatives. This week, we have Sue and Dave Guzik from Fly Me Home in Pittston! Sue and Dave Guzik are a husband and wife creative team that loves to scour flea markets for vintage materials to repurpose into unique jewelry, art and home accessories to sell at their shop Fly Me Home, located in Pittston.   The shop features a huge selection of their handmade goods as well as a working studio where Dave…

Every Sunday, NEPA Creative turns the spotlight on some awesome creatives. This week, we have Josh Ulanoski! Josh Ulanoski was born and raised in NEPA, and photography has been his hobby for almost 15 years, growing his skill set quite a bit in that time. He generally shoots nature scenes, showcasing the best that NEPA has to offer, but also loves shooting portraits and wildlife. He enjoys traveling as well, particularly to national parks, and shooting different landscapes across the country.  Josh previously…

Every Sunday, NEPA Creative turns the spotlight on some awesome creatives. This week, we have Cara Wengen! Cara is a mixed media artist living in Dallas, PA with her rescue dog Bruce Wayne.  She started CaraWengenCo in 2019, but has been drawing and illustrating for over 15 years. Her style alternates between pen and ink drawing and digital illustration, and usually combines a mix of both mediums. Her work is inspired by the frenzied, freewheeling, and oftentimes fragile life of 20-something females—with a…