Scranton, PA – The Lackawanna County Arts and Culture Department and the Lackawanna County Council on Arts, Culture and Education recently sponsored Wake up with the Arts: A Breakfast Workshop at the Electric City Trolley Museum. Approximately 75 representatives from educational institutions, community organizations, the arts community, government and other groups attended the gathering.

The Electric Theater Company jump-started the program with a performance by actors Conor McGuigan and Heather Stuart. Kim Plyler, director of marketing and public relations for Bethlehem-based ArtsQuest, a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating arts and culture in the Lehigh Valley, gave the main presentation.

The attendees then worked in small groups to brainstorm ideas around six topics: communications/collaboration, projects/programming, funding, marketing/audience development, the built environment and individual artist. Major themes from the brainstorming included:

• Development of a centralized, web-based calendar for arts information and events
• Development and expansion of events such as First Friday with an eye towards bringing more people downtown
• Greater communication and collaboration to create larger funding opportunities and more sustainable projects
• Creating more attractive streetscapes in Scranton and other county municipalities

In attendance were: Maureen McGuigan, Commissioner Michael J. Washo, Commissioner Corey D. O’Brien, Lynne Shedlock, Nada Gilmartin, Alicia Grega, Bob Savakinus, Jessica Gilhooley, Nicole Sawicki, Joanne Benson, Cristin Powers, Justin Taylor, Charlotte Ravaioli, Stephanie Bresslar, Sid Michaels, Andrea Talarico, Ashley Fetterman, Lisa Sauder, Mark Montella, Bill Teitsworth, Renee Emmanuel, Walter Mitchell, Sally Wiener-Grotta, Sharon Burke, Tony Nicosia, Cara Sutherland, Deborah Pann, J.P. McGowan, Sara Hailstone, Jim Williams, Dr. Catherine Richmond-Cullen, Mary Garm, Richard Stanislus, Maria Wilson, Earl Lehman, Leigh Pawling, Lorraine Daniels, Bridget Fitzpatrick, Roya, Fahmy, Mary Ann Moran-Savakinus, Paul Nardone, Annmarie Ciccarelli, Lea Doherty, Mark DeStefano, Karen Belli, Gwen Harleman, Laura Sardoni, Erin Dougherty, Elizabeth Straub, Joanne Arduino, Christopher Calvey, Wayne Evans, Mandy Welman, Diana Shahein, Terra Steele, Liz Feller, Jessica Meoni, April Holgate, Alysia Scazafabo, Mary Lou Heffers, Mary Ann Paulukonis, Jay Paulukonis, Bernie McGurl, Katie Gilmartin, Mike Muller and Conor O'Brien.