Hazleton Art League

Address: 225 E. Broad St., Hazleton, PA 18201. Phone: (570) 454-0092. Parking is available behind the Knights of Columbus building on the corner of Broad and Poplar. The building is handicap accessible.

The Hazleton Art League will be hosting a special posthumous exhibit of the work of artist Fran DeBellas. HAL member and artist Virginia Dignazio will also have her work on display, as will photographer Michael Delmonico, who will also be on site with his mobile photo booth!

Fran DeBellas was born and raised in the Hazleton area, attended local schools and graduated from MMI in 1965. He continued his education at Penn State University and received a BFA in 1969. He then studied abroad at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College of London,and his travels there led to his interest in architecture and landscapes. He also did graduate work at the Art Students League in New York City as well as the City College of New York. Upon returning to Hazleton, he opened Terrestria, a plant shop and later Shibui, a gift shop. He and his brother established Hocksworth and Moss, a construction and design company responsible for work at the Corner Cafe and The Chili Parlor. In 1979 he moved to Philadelphia where he worked on business and private interior design as well as murals. His last venture was in hand painted linens for George Matouk in New York City.

His accolades include: 1967 First Place at the Hazleton Art League, 1969 a one man show at the Slade School, 1970 Pattee Gallery at State College, Central PA Council of Arts. Fran passed away in 1987.

Inspired with a lifelong love of the arts, Virginia Dignazio began her journey as a painter in 2007 when she enrolled in an acrylic painting taught by her daughter, artist, Gina Dignazio. She's been honing her skills and exhibiting her artwork ever since. Her paintings have been on display at Hazleton Art League, Fine Art Fiesta in Wilkes-Barre, Art at the Markle, Hazleton Public library, Boscov's Family Restaurant, Bloomsburg Fair and Bloomsburg Children's Museum. Virginia has taken drawing and painting courses at the Hazleton Art League, Studio 303 in West Hazleton and Penn State Hazleton. She is part of Tim Weaver's Wednesday Painter group, a member of North Mountain Art League and a board member at the Hazleton Art League. She often depicts scenic landscapes and wildlife in acrylic or oil paint.

Michael Delmonico is a photographer in the NEPA region specializing in portraiture and weddings. Over the last couple of years Michael has teamed up with many artists around the area to create collaborative pieces and environments for everyone who participates to throw themselves into their work and appreciate the process of making the pieces. His work can be found on delmonicophoto.com with his most recent work being posted to his Instagram @delmonicophoto weekly. Michael will be at the Hazleton Art League on Saturday, November 2nd with a photo booth to take portraits (with fall backdrops and props). Photos may be purchased for $5 and printed on site.