The Gallery of Scranton Celebrates Special Showcase

The Gallery of Scranton will celebrate naming “Diva Theater its “Theater in Residence” and the closing of “The Artist’s Soul” exhibit with a special presentation on Friday, May 5.


The Diva troupe will use music, movement, acting and original works in response to the visual art of
prominent Northeast Pennsylvania artists Robert Bergstrasser, Michele Davis, Paul DeLuca, Timothy Hawkesworth, Earl Lehman, Allison Maslow, Travis Prince, Frank Wengen, and the gallery’s owner, Helen Lavelle, who were all featured in “The Artist’s Soul” exhibit. The collaborative event is sponsored by Fidelity Bank who understands the positive impact that the arts have in our community. “The importance of the arts and creative sector on economic growth and vitality is often overlooked, but cannot be overstated,” said Dan Santaniello, president of Fidelity Bank.


“Collaborative partnerships between nonprofits and the business sector make sense for our community.” Diva Theater is a nonprofit, award-winning community theater celebrating its 25th Anniversary in the city of Scranton. The company is under the direction of Paige and Bob Balitski with performances held in the Olde Brick Theatre. The performers have been rehearsing in the gallery itself and Paige Balitski said she is excited for the chance to partner on this special event.


“At Diva Theater, we pride ourselves in producing original plays by local writers and showcasing the
talented performers we have here in Northeast PA. Everything we do works toward fostering the arts
throughout the community so we are excited to partner with Helen and The Gallery of Scranton to bring the work of these accomplished artists to life,” she said.


The Gallery of Scranton will open at 5 p.m. and the Diva performance will begin promptly at 6 p.m.
Attendees will have a chance to meet and interact with all of the performers during a reception following their ½ hour show. Lavelle adds, “When the arts are integrated into the fabric of our community, great things happen. The Artist’s Soul exhibit has been viewed by hundreds to date. Now we are honored to bring Diva Theater talent to The Gallery of Scranton…and are thankful to Fidelity Bank whose support allows all to enjoy this performance free of charge.”

The Gallery of Scranton Grand Opening

Get your first look at Scranton’s newest art gallery and see inside the minds of some brilliant regional artists during First Friday Scranton’s first time event on Friday, April 7.
Acclaimed Scranton artist Helen Lavelle invites the community to celebrate the grand opening of The
Gallery of Scranton, and the launch of its inaugural exhibit “The Artist’s Soul”, from 5-9 p.m. at 323
North Washington Avenue in Scranton. In addition to Lavelle’s art, “The Artist’s Soul” show features work from prominent Northeast Pennsylvania artists Robert Bergstrasser, Michele Davis, Paul DeLuca, Timothy Hawkesworth, Earl Lehman, Allison Maslow, Travis Prince and Frank Wengen.
“As a direct result of my recent successful exhibit in New York, I was moved to show off the talent of
incredible artists right here at home. These artists provide creative, intellectual and emotional insights into society at large,” states Ms. Lavelle, a nationally recognized leader in the advertising industry. “Their work impacts the masses and challenges the status quo.”


The Gallery is located in the historic Professional Arts Building, (formerly the Medical Arts Building);
the street location which Ms. Lavelle believes will enhance the exciting Renaissance happening in
Downtown Scranton. “The importance of the arts and creative sector on economic growth and vitality
is often overlooked, but cannot be overstated,” continues Ms. Lavelle. The theme “The Artist’s Soul” challenged the willingness of this diverse group to reveal the real, the raw, the honest art that is coming out of Northeast Pennsylvania. The show which will be personally curated by Ms. Lavelle, breaks the barriers down between Lackawanna, Luzerne and surrounding counties as well. “Great art knows no bounds, we know no boundaries.” This group has exhibited locally and regionally…some nationally and internationally—to critical acclaim. This inaugural show gives the community the opportunity to meet and interact with these artists.


Lavelle said she plans to host more collaborative events at The Gallery in the future. Bringing the arts in every genre together sets the stage for memorable human interactions…all focused on quality of life. For more information about The Gallery in the future and its grand opening celebration, contact Lavelle at hlavelle@lavellestrategy.com.

Lavelle Strategy Group to Present Exhibition in New York City

Lavelle Strategy Group is honored to present their art exhibition “Humanity & Divinity” at La MaMa Galleria.This show will be on view in the East Village Gallery at 47 Great Jones Street New York, NY (between Bowery and Lafayette Streets) from January 14 to February 4 2023, Thursday through Sunday from 1-7 PM, with an opening reception scheduled on Saturday, January 14, from 5:30-8:30 PM.

My drawings and paintings explore my personal journey through pain and vulnerability to resilience and grace. The exhibit is curated by C. Finley, founder of the Every Woman Biennial-NYC, London, LA. 

The exhibit, which includes both figurative and landscape pieces is designed to remind viewers that the path from humanity to divinity lies in a personal connection to nature. For me, painting is a spiritual process. Landscapes created in Ireland while experiencing extreme grief and sorrow express both heaviness and connection to universal energy.
  An advocate for the arts in every genre, I understand that the arts help move people through life’s circumstances. My hope is that through this exhibition, people will see something in themselves that is about transformation.

Lavelle Strategy Group NYC Art Exhibit

La MaMa Galleria is honored to present “Humanity & Divinity”, an art exhibition by Helen Lavelle. This show will be on view in the East Village Gallery at 47 Great Jones Street New York, NY (between Bowery and Lafayette Streets) from January 14 to February 4, 2023, Thursday through Sunday from 1-7 PM, with an opening reception scheduled on Saturday, January 14, from 5:30-8:30 PM.

A nationally recognized leader in the advertising industry, Ms. Lavelle’s drawings and paintings explore the artist’s personal journey through pain and vulnerability to resilience and grace. The exhibit is curated by C. Finley, founder of the Every Woman Biennial-NYC, London, LA.

Acknowledging that loss of life, the pandemic, political climate, racial hatred, war and economic uncertainty have given rise to unprecedented and unbearable pain, Ms. Lavelle’s work puts it center stage. But she does not stop there.

The exhibit, which includes both figurative and landscape pieces is designed to remind viewers that the path from humanity to divinity lies in a personal connection to nature. “Nature is our greatest teacher, Lavelle states. Life and death, love and loss, pain and promise…the opportunity to transform in the face of tragedy, to recover (as does nature) is cellular.” 

For Lavelle, painting is a spiritual process. Landscapes created in Ireland while experiencing extreme grief and sorrow express both heaviness and connection to universal energy.

As to her figurative work, Lavelle explains, “Connecting on a deeper level with nature and God allowed me to portray moments of human vulnerability that are real, raw and honest. I can barely look at them myself.”

Lavelle has had more than her fair share of grief, having lost multiple friends and members of her own family to addiction, to AIDs, and to the inability for many to move forward in life. She knows that art heals, brings forth light, even in the deepest darkness. 

An advocate for the arts in every genre, she understands that the arts help move people through life’s circumstances. Her hope is that through this exhibition, people will see something in themselves that is about transformation. 

Helen Lavelle, Top 25 Women in Business

Did you catch the March Edition of the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal this week?

Lavelle Strategy Group CEO and Chief Creative Strategist, Helen Lavelle, was named one of the Top 25 Women in Business in 2022! She is a trailblazer, an advocate, an innovator, a communicator and a collaborator. We are honored to work alongside her every day.

Congratulations Helen on this amazing honor!

The Business Journal honors 25 Women in Business in our region every March. These professionals are a diverse cross-section of innovative leaders, high-profile decision makers and company executives.

They are improving their community, mentoring future business leaders, raising families and encouraging other women to take the lead.