Founded in 1929, the Sherman Theater is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a diverse range of arts experiences. Located in Stroudsburg, PA, the Sherman Theater serves as a cultural hub for Monroe County, offering events and programs that celebrate artistic expression and community engagement.
Stroudsburg, PA – As the Pocono Arts Council announces its closure effective September 30, 2024, the Fine Arts Discovery Series, the parent organization that runs the Sherman Theater, is stepping forward to ensure that the region’s vibrant arts community continues to thrive.
After careful consideration, the Pocono Arts Council’s Board of Directors decided to dissolve the organization due to financial challenges and sustainability issues. In light of this development, the Fine Arts Discovery Series, a longstanding nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering cultural enrichment, is committed to preserving and advancing the arts in our area.
The Fine Arts Discovery Series is well-positioned to provide the infrastructure necessary to re-open the Pocono Arts Gallery located at 530 Main Street. Currently, the Fine Arts Discovery Series operates the Sherman Theater, the Sherman Showcase, the Sherman Stage at the Renegade Winery, and a variety of offsite festivals, stages, and events, including Monroe County’s largest street festival, Stroudfest.
In addition to hosting national, regional, and local musicians, comedians, and other performers, the Sherman Theater serves as a performance base for regional theater groups such as Rebel Stages, the School of Visual and Performing Arts, Fusia Dance, Labor of Love, and In2YouArts. These groups present original works like Change the Musical as well as well-known productions such as The Wizard of Oz and Rent. The theater also hosts various dance events featuring leading local schools and showcases outstanding performances from Broadway talent and orchestras in partnership with the Pocono Mountain Music Fest and others.
The Fine Arts Discovery Series hopes to make the gallery space an integral part of its operations and continue to host and grow key Pocono Arts Council events in the existing art gallery space at 530 Main Street, including the Student Art Show in February and other art exhibitions, while also continuing to promote arts advocacy for all disciplines. With public support, it is expected that these annual and ongoing gallery events will continue as planned, ensuring that local artists and audiences can still enjoy and participate in these well-established cultural activities.
“We understand the significant impact the Pocono Arts Council’s closure will have on our community,” said Sherman Theater’s Special Events Manager, Sarah Collier. “The Fine Arts Discovery Series is excited to fill the void and continue to support the visual artists and the broader arts community in the Poconos. Our goal is to build on the Council’s legacy and provide ongoing and increasing opportunities for artistic expression and community engagement.”
The Fine Arts Discovery Series has supported visual arts and the Pocono Arts Council for nearly 20 years. The acquisition of the historic building, the Sherman Arts Annex located at 530 Main Street, where the Pocono Arts Council Gallery now resides, further enables the Fine Arts Discovery Series to support the arts community and the Arts Gallery in this space.
It is fitting for the Fine Arts Discovery Series to continue the vital work of the Pocono Arts Council, particularly in managing the gallery and advocating for the arts within the community. The goal is to continue essential events like the Student Art Exhibitions and other initiatives, while the Fine Arts Discovery Series is dedicated to exploring additional programming and partnerships with members of the former Arts Council and the arts community at large.
The Fine Arts Discovery Series is asking the community to reach out with ideas, advice, interest, or support for the continuation of the Pocono Arts Gallery. If you’d like to participate in the success of the arts in the Poconos by volunteering, donating, or underwriting the space or specific gallery events, please contact Sarah Collier at Sarah@shermantheater.com.
We thank the Pocono Arts Council for its years of service and look forward to continuing its mission through our dedicated efforts with the arts community. Together, we will ensure that the arts remain a dynamic and integral part of our Pocono community life.