OPENINGS AND EVENTS
A History of Santa Claus, close to 100 images of the Jolly Old Elf from the collection of Richard Smith and Lissa Bryan Smith. Through Jan. 30 with a reception tonight, 5 to 7. $15. Luzerne County Historical Society Museum, 69 S. Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. (Closed Dec. 24 to Jan. 4.) $3, $1 children. 823-6344.
Third Friday Art Walk, self-guided tour of Wilkes-Barre and Kingston galleries offering a variety of art exhibits, studio tours, spoken word, historical exhibits, entertainment and refreshments. Hop on the trolley for a free ride to the galleries. Tonight, 5 to 8. Arts Walk maps available at participating venues. 823-0518 or wordpainting.com.
Handmade Books, by fine bookbinder Don Rash. Opens tonight with a reception 6 to 8. Continues through Jan. 10 at the Paper Kite Press Studio & Gallery, 443 Main St., Kingston. Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment. 328-8658.
ONGOING EXHIBITS
Capturing Realism 2009: The Waichulis Studio, a group exhibit of realism paintings by alumni and students of the studio of modern master Anthony J. Waichulis. Through Saturday at the Pauly Friedman Gallery, Insalaco Hall, Misericordia University, 301 Lake St., Dallas. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. 674-6250.
A Collection of Christmases Past and Present, Santa-themed figures, puzzles, jewel boxes, tin containers, ornaments, turn-of-the-century postcards and a detailed doll house. Through Dec. 27 at the Eagles Mere Museum, 288 Eagles Mere Ave., Eagles Mere. Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 525-3664.
Serge Hollerbach: A Witness to My Time, an exhibit by the Russian-born painter. Through Dec. 27 at ArtWorks Gallery and Studio, 503 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 207-1851.
Tools That Built Scranton, 1900s-era tools from the Lackawanna Historical Society. Through Dec. 31 at the William J. Nealon Federal Courthouse, 235 N. Washington Avenue, Scranton. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. 344-3841.
Day of the Dead: Art & Culture in the Americas, Mexican folk art, masks, a community ofrenda (or altar), Catrinas (fancily dressed female skeletons), cultural artifacts and contemporary art celebrating the rich culture of Central and South America and their special holiday to remember the dead. Through Dec. 31 at the Everhart Museum, Nay Aug Park, Scranton. Monday, Thursday and Friday, noon to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. $5, $3 students and seniors, $2 children. 346-7186.
Cider Painters of America, the 25th annual exhibit and sale by local and national artists who paint in miniature (3” by 5”). Through Dec. 31 at Vgogh Gallery, 287 Wyoming Ave., Kingston. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 287-5544.
Celebrating Ancestors, works by area students inspired by important people in their lives. Through Dec. 31 at the Everhart Museum, Nay Aug Park, Scranton. Monday, Thursday and Friday, noon to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 346-7186.
Have You Slept in a Wigwam Lately? A travelogue exhibit by photographer Michael Poster and writer Melissa Whalen Haertsch which captures 24 singular moments across America from New England to Arizona. Through December at CameraWork Gallery, 515 Center St., Scranton. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 344-3313.
Geography and the Space Between, a group exhibit by artists Lorraine Petyo Elias, Skip Sensbach and David Hage including paintings, mixed media and sculpture. Through Jan. 2 at Marquis Art & Frame, 122 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 823-0518.
The Artistry of Charlotte Kindler, including watercolors, pastels and oils. Through Jan. 2 at the F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 826-1100.
Holiday Show, a group show by member artists including Sara Baker, Robert H. Brown, Sandra B. Davis, Sam Dion and more. Through Jan. 3 at Artspace Gallery, 221 Center St., Bloomsburg. Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 784-0737.
Mix It Up, a mix of styles and mediums by artists Arthur Miller and Frank Kluk. Through Jan. 5 at the Pierce Street Gallery, 517 Pierce St., Kingston. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 970-7968.
In the Absence of Photographs, paintings by New York artist Meredith Toto focusing on the representation of memories in a series of subjects from Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding areas. Through Jan. 8 at Something Special, 23 W. Walnut St., Kingston. Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 288-8386.
Faculty and Alumni Exhibit, 70 pieces of art including graphics, photographs, digital works and paintings. Through Jan. 22 at the Schulman Gallery, Luzerne County Community College, 1333 S. Prospect St., Nanticoke. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed during school break Dec. 24 to Jan. 3. 740-0732.
The Stained Glass Windows of Williamsport, a showcase of 19th-century stained glass windows from area churches, some manufactured by New York’s Tiffany Company. Through Jan. 23 at the Thomas T. Taber Museum, 858 W. Fourth St., Williamsport. Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. 326-3326.
Family Tree, watercolor en-plein-air paintings by Jan Henning and photographs by her nephew Jeffrey Meyer. Through Jan. 29 at the Wyoming County Courthouse Gallery, 1 Courthouse Square, Tunkhannock. Monday through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 835-3200.
Art of Bonnie Quinney, still lifes, landscapes, florals and maritime scenes done in watercolor. Through Jan. 30 at Citizens Bank, Wyoming Avenue and Welles Street, Forty Fort. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. 288-7538.
FUTURE EXHIBITS
Paintings and Prints of Mexico, two exhibits highlighting the beauty and intrigue of Mexico: “Mexico in Color,” the colorful landscape paintings of Elma Pratt and “La Tinta Grita – The Ink Shouts: ASARO – Revolutionary Mexican Prints,” the rebellious artistry of the Assembly of Revolutionary Artists of Oaxaca (ASARO). Opens Jan. 25 with a gallery talk and reception Jan. 26, 3 to 6 p.m. Continues through Feb. 27 at the Pauly Friedman Gallery, Misericordia University, 301 Lake St., Dallas. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. 674-6250.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Views of the Valley Photo Contest, sponsored by the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority. Open to amateur and professional photographers to submit images taken within the boundaries of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley which includes all of Lackawanna County and designated municipalities in Luzerne, Wayne and Susquehanna counties. Rules and regulations at lhva.org. Deadline: June 1, 2010.
