Susquehanna River Arts
Grounded in the belief that art shapes both the spirit and vitality of a community; the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau created Susquehanna River Arts. By showcasing the works of our local artists, the Susquehanna River Arts project not only highlights the cultural assets of our region, but fosters an appreciation of both our communities and our heritage.
Let us introduce you to the inaugural group of Susquehanna River Arts Artists:
- Dave Ashby (Photography)
- Sara Baker (Clay)
- “Annie” Barnhardt (Graphite; Oil Paint; Water Color; Acrylic Paint; Collage)
- Robert Brown (Photography)
- Linda Doucette (Fiber Art; Watercolor; Acrylic Paint; Oil Paint)
- Marcia Lilley (Fiber Art; Quilting; Acrylic Paint)
- Richard Lilley (Oil Paint & Etched Glass)
- Joan McCarty (Fiber Art-Weaving & Quilting)
- Sara Mika (Fiber Art; Art Quilts)
- Larry Ney II (Oil Paint)
- Deb Stabley (Clay)
- Sandy Tranor (Clay)
- William Whitmoyer (Pencil Arts-Graphite, Charcoal, Conte, Pen & Ink, Color Pencil; Acrylic Paint; Glass Engraving; Wood-Burning; Electronic Art)
- Shene Woodley (Acrylic & Ink Paintings; Mixed Media; Custom Designed Stained Glass; Digital Paintings; Photography)
Purchase Susquehanna River Arts Artwork Online
Attend Susquehanna River Arts Events
- Plan to visit our region on Saturday/Sunday April 21 & 22, 2012 for the Susquehanna River Arts Artist Studio Tour; there are wonderful communities to explore and art waiting to be discovered.
- The Susquehanna River Arts Artists are also on full display, along with the fall foliage, at the Covered Bridge Fine Arts Festival. This colorful event takes place at the Twin Covered Bridge Park on Saturday, October 6, 2012.
- When visiting the region you can always find the works of our Susquehanna River Arts Artists at the Artspace Gallery and the Moose Exchange; both located in downtown Bloomsburg. In the community of Benton, Susquehanna River Arts Artists are on display at the Black Bear Pottery & Fine Art Gallery.
- Want to stay up-to-date on all things the Susquehanna River Artists are doing? Sign up for our e-mail newsletter on our contact us page.
Susquehanna River Arts Awards
If you wish to acknowledge a “job well done” or commemorate a special event, the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau suggests you say THANKS with the unique, hand-made gift of art. These customizable gifts of art are available exclusively at Wagner’s Trophies at 146 East Main Street in Downtown Bloomsburg. To get a peak at some of the Award items by the Susquehanna River Arts Artists, download their product catalog here (Susquehanna River Awards Product Catalog)!

Dave Ashby
Photography
Bloomsburg, PA
www.ashbyphoto.com
Dave has been photographing since 1990. Dave's love of nature and outdoor activities such as mountain biking, white water rafting, hiking and skiing have inspired Dave's images of nature. Often Dave is drawn to bold and empowering subjects for the focus of his images. Sometimes turning delicate objects into the main subject creates a more powerful image. While viewing Dave's images, the viewer should not be afraid to seek and interpret his or her own personal metaphors within each work. To Dave, photography is a medium that is personal, metaphysical, existential and poetic all at once and he encourages everyone to look within to find their own artistic truths. Each image is more then just an image if you take the time to look. Besides note cards Dave also offers wall art custom printed in almost any size you may desire.
Sara Baker
Pottery
Bloomsburg, PA
www.unityvillestudios.com
After 20 years of making pots professionally, I still find this life very satisfying. I see the shelves in my studio fill up with mugs, bowls, pitchers, casserole dishes, knowing that eventually someone will be enjoying these pieces—someone who shares my ideas about the importance of using a beautiful pot for even the most mundane activities like morning coffee. While the bulk of my work is functional, I have also developed more decorative pieces. These sculptural vessels, tiles, and vases spring from the patterns of sand, waves, tree bark, and clouds; they require significant amounts time and thought to create. I throw each piece on the wheel and then carve away the soft clay to form a series of ridges. For every pot, I use several glazes, intensifying the vibrant colors. As I continue to grow and my life changes, so does my work. I look forward to the next stage, even as I wonder what it will be.
Gail “Annie” Barnhardt
Painting
Bloomsburg, PA
From Rochester Institute of Technology I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and my Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Printmaking. Currently my focus is painting, pencil drawings, lettering, and artist books. My exploration of "faces and places" continues to evolve. I delight in the unexpected surprises found in marrying reality and abstraction. I welcome commissions. I may be reached at 854-1352 and in my Moose Exchange studio, 2nd floor, on Fridays from 5-8 p.m. or by appointment.
Robert Brown
Photography
Danville, PA
www.premierphotostudio.com
I have been photographer and instructor since birth. Not really, but at least for the last 30+ years. When not working in my studio, Premier Studios in Danville, PA that produces consumer and commercial photography, I indulge in my hobby – photography. My “fine” photography utilizes most traditional and contemporary photographic tools. I especially like working with larger format cameras and the silver process. My images are mostly natural abstractions, landscapes, historic architecture or cultural studies. I have been blessed to have traveled extensively. I additionally instruct numerous photographic workshops annually. My work is handled by Artspace Gallery in Bloomsburg, PA or on line at: rhbphoto.com.
Linda Doucette
Fabric
Millville, PA
www.shades-of-nature.com
Several years ago I returned to rural Pennsylvania to have better access to nature and the ability to raise more plants for natural dyes. The varied textures and complex colours of the landscape provide me with endless inspiration. I strive to honor nature by choosing organic and sustainable dyes, fibers, yarns and fabrics for my work. Exclusively using dyes that I extract from natural materials gives my textile creations a distinctive colour palette. With over twenty years experience using natural dyes I continue to innovate and enjoy sharing my knowledge by demonstrating at craft shows and giving workshops on natural dye techniques. I raise fiber producing animals, currently ten alpaca and five angora rabbits. It is very satisfying to spin, dye, weave and felt with fiber from my own animals. I live in an old farmhouse that is more studio than house. Two looms, two spinning wheels, sewing area, ‘wet lab’ set up for dyeing, felting and papermaking, painting/ computer room. Then there is fiber storage, dried plant material storage and finished inventory storage. I do actually have enough room to sleep too, but not much time for it!
Marcia Lilley
Fabric
Millville, PA
As the spouse of a fine artist, I have enjoyed the art world from many sides. With semi-retirement from the accounting field I have developed a passion for fiber arts centered mainly on quilting art. My pieces vary from traditional quilting to colorful picture quilts. No two items are ever alike as they stem from my eclectic imagination. I have ventured occasionally into the realm of acrylic painting. I am a member of the North Mountain Art League and the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen and have participated in exhibits in the Moose Exchange, the Children’s Museum in Bloomsburg, and in Shamokin. My works have also taken awards in two Challenge Quilt Competitions.
Richard Lilley
Painting
Millville, PA
Born and raised in the Philadelphia suburbs, his major interest has always been art. His first formal studies in art took place in commercial art courses at the vo-tech school in his area, during his high school years. After graduation he set up his first studio and gallery in St. Peter’s Village in Chester County, where he pursued oil painting and string art. He attended the Barnes Foundation School of Horticulture and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts where he studied oil painting. Richard’s passion is oil painting, particularly steam locomotives, landscapes, and fittingly day lilies. Sizes start at 5” square to 6’ by 8’. His latest works have been inspired by trips to Colorado and Wyoming and the influence of his favorite artists of the American West. Another art pursuit has been Sand-etched glass designs. Exhibits: Yellow Springs Annual Art Show, Berks Art Alliance, Pottstown Art Guild, West Chester Art Association, Southeast Wildlife Exhibition, Hay Creek Fall Festival, Juried shows with the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, The Moose Exchange, North Mountain Art League, Art Walk in Bloomsburg, Art Fest in Bloomsburg, Scenic River Days in Reading, Peddler’s Village in New Hope, Covered Bridge Festival and others.
Joan Mcarty
Fabric
Orangeville, PA
Fibers and fabric have been a lifelong passion for me. As a young girl I was taught to sew, crochet, knit and do needlework in addition to the seemingly endless task of being required to make potholders for Christmas gifts. Studying art history and anthropology in college broadened my textile horizons beyond the more mundane and domestic textile possibilities. Gradually I expanded into hand weaving and natural dyeing of yarns. After studying design and textile technology for two years, I began working at Bloomsburg mills as a textile designer. For 25 years I worked at the mill eventually in charge of the research and design department and becoming part of it’s 120 year textile tradition. I continue to do some weaving but have recently concentrated on printing on fabric using a variety of techniques including inkjet printing. The digital world has opened new possibilities but the real love is still of the fabric and fibers that I began with many years ago.
Sara Mika
Fabric
Catawissa, PA
www.mockpiestudio.com
The quilting arts have caught me hook, line, and sinker. They have provided a vehicle for expressing my inner thoughts visually, yet still silently. My work says so much more than I ever would. Much of it is small and therefore intricate. I find striving for perfection in technique much more attainable in a small format. I create my original work using a combination of techniques. I quilt and embellish both by hand and machine, often hand painting designs I’ve free-motion machine stitched on plain muslin.
Larry Ney
Painting
Bloomsburg, PA
www.larryney@etsy.com
I am a self-taught artist and have been painting for 25 years. My main focus is oil painting landscapes and florals in an abstract/impressionistic form. I also do some water colors, digital photography, and sculpture. Art for me is a journey that consists of not being afraid to try many different techniques and ways of expressing myself through my work. I believe that you should go your own direction with your art and not let others place you in a box. Don’t be afraid to experiment. I admire a lot of artist’s work, but I don’t want to paint like them. I want people to look at my work and know it was done my Larry Ney II, not a copy of someone else’s style. I am proud of my accomplishments and work hard to promote them whenever possible. I work in two locations--a studio in my home as well as the Bloomsburg Moose Exchange where I offer my paintings for sale as well as offering oil painting classes. I hold regular Exchange studio hours on Thursday evenings, Saturday, some Sundays, and also by appointment.
Deb Stabley
Pottery
Bloomsburg, PA
www.stableys.com/
I have been working as a professional artist since 1984 when my husband and I formed Creative Clay Works. In my long relationship with crafts, I have worked predominantly in clay, with an occasional foray into mixed media. My directions and methods have changed over the years, but my pieces usually contain a whimsical energy. I love to work with color and feel it both positive and healing. The natural world is often an inspiration for my work. I have vegetable and flower gardens and spend a great deal of time in the woods that we live in. I have dogs and a cat and grown children and work in my studio in our home. I have been active in promoting the arts in our community and am a member of our local cooperative arts gallery. I support local causes with and through my art. My current body of work includes decorative and functional ceramic forms. I hand build them with an earthenware clay body. When the pieces are bone dry, I paint on the images with underglazes and overglazes and the pieces are then coated with a clear glaze. I layer color in such a way to create a sense of depth and interest. The pieces are fired in an electric kiln, at least twice. The possibilities of creating with clay are endless. I look forward to future exploration in my ceramic studio as well as with other artistic mediums.
Sandy Tranor
Pottery
Benton, PA
www.blackbearpottery-finearts.com
Pottery is the artistic area that holds my interest. I create clay pieces from my imagination using both hand and wheel techniques. My efforts are more artistic than functional. For over 20 years, I have been evolving my range of expertise with various clays and glazes through continued experimentation. It is that aspect of pottery as well as the earthy feel of the whole process that holds my attention to this art form. Combining that with the opportunity to teach others, mostly through show more than tell, makes pottery special for me and is a continued method of physical and mental stroke therapy. The act of pottery creation has become a stress relieving and rewarding occupation.
William Whitmoyer
Drawing
Millville, PA
www.whitmoyerart.com
I've always had an insatiable curiosity about things and I love doing just about anything as long as I learn something from it. To me, art is a means of exploration — a search for information driven by my thirst for knowledge. In much the same way that an infant explores objects with his mouth in order to have a better understanding of what things are and how they work, I explore things with my pencil or brush. My artworks are really just a byproduct, rather than the desired goal or end point. I never seriously considered the possibility of one day making a career out of art, until one day in junior high. I had been drawing in class, as I usually did. (I seemed to absorb more information that way than I did with traditional note taking; none of my teachers ever understood or believed that for some reason.) All of a sudden, the teacher, who had a reputation for his very short and very heated temper, came flying back the aisle and took my drawing pad. He started to say something in anger but stopped himself short as his eyes locked on the rendering of a nude woman. After staring at the piece for a moment, he exclaimed, "Damn, son! If you're not an artist when you grow up, then you're a freakin' idiot!" and actually handed back my drawing pad (keeping the nude) and asked me to see him after class. So, after two years in art school and more than twenty years as a Graphic Designer and Illustrator, including eight years active duty in the U.S. Army as a "Multimedia Illustrator" (and the PA Army National Guard ever since), I've expanded my tools for exploration to include a lot more than just drawing. I still have so much to learn, but I feel that I also have a lot to share. I am still strongly driven in my search for knowledge and I hope that I never lose my curiosity as that is the essence of my work.
Shene Woodley
Acrylic and Ink Paintings, Mixed Media, Custom Design Stained Glass, Digital Paintings, Photography
Bloomsburg, PA
www.artbyshene.com
Shene Woodley -"Art is an unbounded medium of expression; a potent instrument for communicating ideas, thoughts and feelings. Art enables us to see, hear, feel and speak. The power of art is its ability to evoke a unique emotional response; the gift of art is the personal and intimate connection that develops as a result." Shene Woodley is a visual artist residing in the beautiful mountains and rolling hills of Bloomsburg, PA. She is a mother and wife of over 20 years. As an artist, Shene finds inspiration in the area’s natural beauty, as well as its diverse and talented artist community. Shene recognizes her artistic ability to 'see' and 'express' as a gift meant to be shared with others. She is focused on her artistic endeavors, always seeking to challenge her creativity and explore new avenues to fulfill her artistic desires. Shene enjoys fine-art painting, custom designed stained glass, digital paintings, illustration, photography and more. She is always eager to learn and explore new mediums, as well. Shene has a unique style reflecting her passionate view of life. Her art is expressive; utilizing vivid colors, bold lines and texture to emit strong emotions and feelings. Shene is also an analytical thinker, often evident in her use of shapes and patterns. Shene finds the most rewarding aspect of art is its potential to stir an emotional response and connection with others. She believes when an individual develops their own personal insight and relationship with a piece of artwork, it develops to its fullest potential, no longer belonging to just the one who created it. Shene has both commercial art and fine-art experience; formal education in the commercial arts and primarily self-taught in the fine arts. She is an active member of the North Mountain Art League. shene@ArtByShene.com
Susquehanna River Arts Membership
Interested in becoming a member of the Susquehanna River Arts? Download our application! 2012-2013 Susquehanna River Arts Application

