10/8/2026 9:12:46 PM
As October dazzles us with vibrant fall foliage and breathtaking landscapes, DACOTA will also beautify DuBois this month with a collection of member artwork and poetry. We look forward to sharing a variety of exciting exhibits and events with the community this fall!
For a short time only, Alma Rosa Nava-Ríos is displaying her watercolors at the DuBois Public Library. Alma is a Mexican-born Pennsylvania artist. Her artistic journey began with oils but transitioned to watercolors under the tutelage of local artist Perry Winkler. Alma’s knack for interior design overlaps with visual arts, giving her realistic watercolors a cheery, lively effect. She’s inspired by organic forms and faces. Her painting “Lunch with a View” placed 2nd at the Western Pennsylvania Laurel Festival. Alma is a mother of two grown children and recently became a grandmother. In addition to her work as an artist, she also holds an M.D. from Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara. She currently resides in State Collage with her two beautiful cats. Alma’s watercolors will only be on display through October 15th, so please hurry in to see her joy-filled artwork!
We are excited to announce that DACOTA’s 9th Annual Art Collective and Gala will be combined with our 2nd Poetry Night on October 30th, 2026. The event will run from 5-8 pm. On Nort Brady Street, Deja Brew Coffeehouse, Letty Jo’s Elevated Alchemy, and Raven Moon’s Oracle will host artwork and poetry. Be sure to visit all three locations! In addition to meeting some of the DACOTA artists and viewing their work, smaller items like greeting cards, stickers, prints and ACEOs will be available for purchase. Several gifts baskets will be raffled off. The Gala also features a Membership Drive and new members can receive items like art prints and mugs when they sign up. Light refreshments will be offered.
Two poetry reading are scheduled during the Gala, and since the event falls on Halloween weekend, the first reading will feature spooky-themed poems! (Costumes are welcomed!). The Halloween-themed reading will be held at Deja Brew Coffeehouse from 5.00 to 5.30. The public is invited to join in and read their own poetry or the work of others. Each reader will have up to five minutes. Sign-ups will be first-come, first-served, so based on the popularity of our last Poetry Night, we suggest arriving early! The second poetry session will be held at Letty Jo’s Elevated Alchemy from 6.00 to 6.30. This reading will feature an open theme, and the sign-ups will again be first-come, first-served. Again, we suggest signing up as soon as possible! Please follow us on social media or check out this website for additional information or updates as we get closer to the event.
DACOTA would also like to thank Marianne Fyda for representing our organization at the 18th DuBois Area Historical Society’s recent Spirit of DuBois Lantern Walk “Service Organizations on October 2nd and 3rd.
Participants in the Walk were treated to hearing the detailed history of DACOTA and its origins from one of its founder members! Thank you, Marianne, for all you have offered the local community over the years!
October is often a busy month and filled with fun events, so as you plan your month, please remember to visit Alma Rosa Nava-Ríos’ Library Show before October 15th and to save the evening of October 30th for the combined Gala and Poetry Night! We look forward to seeing you there!
9/14/2026 10:50:56 PM
Before announcing our autumn events, the members of DuBois Area Council on the Arts (D.A.C.O.T.A.), would like to thank everyone who participated in Poetry Night last month! On August 3rd, Deja Brew Coffeehouse was filled with poets and readers who shared their favorite poems and evoked meaningful emotions in the crowd, from tears to laughter. Thank you to Deja Brew, Julie Stewart and her staff, for hosting the event, and to Wapiti Ridge Wine Cellars for offering wine tasting. We were thrilled with the success of Poetry Night and look forward the next one. Details will be announced soon!
The Autumn Art in the Windows of 2026 exhibit runs from September 11th through 30th. D.A.C.O.T.A. members and guest artists are displaying their artwork in storefronts in downtown DuBois along West Long Avenue, North Brady Street, and East Scribner Avenue. The September show features an open theme. Participating artists include Sherry Adams, Grace Bergin, Cindi Delinsky, Viviana Forrest, Marianne Fyda, Paul Seymour, Paige Tomkinson, Nina Turkin, Craig and Mary Kay Marshall, and Sara Zilhaver. Artwork is on display at Shenkel’s Pharmacy, Lisa Gabler’s Farmers Insurance, Joe’s Tux Shop, and Junk Dealer’s Daughter on West Long Avenue; Brady Street Florist, Luigi’s Restaurante, Deja Brew Coffeehouse, Raven’s Moon Oracle, Two Birch Trees Winery, and Merle Norman Boutique Studio on Nort Brady Sreer; and Tiffany’s Stitchery on E Scribner Avenue. Thank you to all participating artists and businesses!
While you’re in downtown, we also invite you to check out the current library show, which features artwork by Sherry Adams. Sherry is originally from Michigan and an interior designer by training. Since retirement she has focused on her artwork. Her passion for social issues and civic duty is an important driving force in her life, and, in turn, it fuels her creativity, leading her to produce pieces that are though-provoking, spirited and whimsical. She works in acrylics, mixed media, collage, printing and mosaics. She has had multiple solo and group shows at the DuBois Public Library and other downtown venues. Her artwork will be displayed at the library until the end of the September.
D.A.C.O.T.A.’s 9th Art Collective and Gala will be held on the evening of October 30th at several downtown businesses. We are still finalizing the details, but please save time that Friday night to stop by to enjoy the artwork, meet D.A.C.O.T.A. members, and learn more about what else we offer the community. More details about the Gala will be announced soon on our website, DuboisAreaCouncilontheArts.com, social media, and in our next newsletter and blog post.
In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the September Art in the Windows and the Art at the Library exhibits. We look forward to seeing you at the Gala on October 30th!
Thank you for your continued support of the arts in DuBois!
8/2/2026 1:45:40 PM
D.A.C.O.T.A. is excited to announce Poetry Night at Deja Brew Coffeehouse in DuBois! On August 3rd, poets, spoken-word artists, and poetry enthusiasts are invited to share an evening of creativity, connection, and community. The public is welcomed to join in the readings or to enjoy a coffee and listen. Wine tasting will also be available. Deja Brew is located at 16 North Brady Street, near the Pershing parking lot. The event runs from 5.30pm to 7.00pm, and a sign-up sheet will be available for anyone who would like to read. Participants are invited to read their own poetry or the works of others.
D.A.C.O.T.A. would like to thank our members Nikki Cherry, Karen Griffith and Sara Zilhaver for following in the footsteps of an esteemed former member, the late Jack Day, who taught English at Ridgway High School. Jack organized Poetry in the Park at DuBois City Memorial Park for several years, until his retirement.
We’ve received a great deal of interest in this event and look forward to similar ones in the future. For more information on upcoming Poetry Nights, please keep an eye on our newsletter, blog posts, website (events), and on social media!
The current Art at the Library show features Karen Griffith’s “Nature Photography & Prose” exhibit, which runs through the end of August. Karen is a retired social worker who taught classes in Human Development and Family Studies at PSU-DuBois Campus. She has an artistic and literary side, although she might not use those words. She call herself a “Literary Junkie”, and she’s a dedicated reader, writer, and photographer, as well. She’s a member of the “Watershed Journal” writer’s group and has had her poetry published in that magazine. She photographs local scenes, flowers, and much more on her hikes or bike rides along river walks, Rails-to-Trails, and more distant travels.
Our 2026 Speaker Series continues in September with Tiffany’s Stitchery and Brockway Celebration of the Arts group.
We are also looking forward to the next Art in the Windows exhibit, which will run from October 8th through 30th. This group show will feature an open theme, with artwork displayed in the windows of downtown DuBois businesses.
Next month’s news letter will feature more details about our 9th Art Collective and GALA, which will be held on the evening of October 23rd.
We will have an update on our Art Room Project, with grants money to local art teachers. This money helps teachers purchase art supplies for their rooms and students.
Also, information about our 2027 Art Walk fundraising campaign will be announced soon!
In the meantime, we hope you join us for Poetry Night on August 3rd!
7/7/2026 1:52:24 PM
With the school year ending, summer vacations beginning, and outdoor projects blooming, this lovely time of year always seems to be extra busy for everyone, and it’s no different for us at D.A.C.O.T.A. Here us a brief update on some of the things we’ve been creating this month.
The current Art at the Library exhibit runs May through June, and features the work of local D.A.C.O.T.A artists Sherry Adams, Linda Olewnick and Paige Tomkinson.
Sherry Adams is originally from Michigan and is an interior designer by training. Since retirement, she has been focused on her artwork.
Her passion for social issues and civic duty is an important driving force in her life, and, in turn, it fuels her creativity, leading her to produce pieces that are thought-provoking, spirited, and whimsical. She works in acrylics, mix-media, collages, printing, and mosaics.
She has had multiple solo and group shows at the DuBois Public Library and other downtown venues.
Linda Olewnick is a DuBois-based painter and a nurse by training. “After I retired, I started looking for something new and came across Olga Sony and Molly’s Artistry, and I was fascinated how they use different colors and techniques to accomplish their compositions. I thought I would give it a try and was hooked. As with anything, there is so much to learn. I enjoy using colors that express different moods and know that my paintings will evoke a different response from every persons.”
Linda’s vibrant abstracts are the result of a well-honed pouring technique. She has shown her work at the DuBois Public Library and other venues.
Paige Tomkinson is a painter who uses acrylics to construct enticing universes of color. She graduated from IUP with a degree in Elementary Education. Paige has taken a few art classes but is mainly self-taught. She resides in Indiana, PA.
The artwork of Sherry, Linda and Paige will be available for viewing through the end of June, so please visit the library soon before we move on to the next artist’s display.
D.A.C.O.T.A. is currently celebrating the 250th anniversary of our country with our first Art in the Windows exhibit of 2026. This event started on June 8th and runs through July 2nd. Members are displaying artwork and poetry in storefronts downtown to commemorate this milestone. If you are walking or driving along North Brady Street and West Long Avenue, you can view artwork in the following store windows: The Peaceable Kingdom (artwork by Marianne Fyda and poetry by Karen Griffith), Junk Dealer’s Daughter (artwork by Grace Bergin), Joe’s Tux Shop (artwork by Paige Tomkinson), The Gabler Agency -Farmers Insurance (artwork by Grace Bergin), Shankel’s Pharmacy (artwork by wife and husband duo Mary Kay and Craig), Brady Street Florist (artwork by Nina Turkin, poem by Robert Langley), Luigi’s Ristorante (artwork by Paige Tomkinson), Deja Brew (artwork by Sherry Adams), Raven Moon’s Oracle (artwork by Nina Turkin, poem by Nikki Cherry), and Merle Norman Boutique (artwork by Sara Zilhaver). For a complete list of artists, poets, and businesses participating in this event, please go to DuBoisAreaCouncikontheArts.com, and click Events. Thank you to everyone involved!
In May, D.A.C.O.T.A presented the annual Dr. George N. Nye Art Scholarship to Elise Hertel, a Brockway High School senior graduate who will attend Ithaca College in the fall. Congratulations Elise!
We are also happy to support local art teachers through our Art Room project this year. The money will be sent to the teachers before the beginning of the new school year.
Marianne Fyda hosted D.A.C.O.T.A.’s June meeting in her art studio as the first guest speaker in our 2026 Speaker Series. She presented an inspiring and fascinating talk about her journey to becoming a well-known, award-winning watercolor and pastel artist. Her unique insights and life experiences, combined with a studio full of her artwork, created an unforgettable evening for all of us. We are so grateful for Marianne’s generosity of spirit and encouragement of talent!
Later this summer, D.A.C.O.T.A. will be holding a Poetry Night at Deja Brew Coffeehouse. This event will be held on August 3rd from 5.30 to 7.00 PM and will feature local poets reading their own poetry or that of others. If you would like to join, please contact us through this website, on social media, or our email, [email protected].
More information on Poetry Night, as well as updates on D.A.C.O.T.A.’s fall events, will be available in our next month’s blog and newsletter.
As always, thank you for your interest and support in helping the arts flourish in DuBois!
4/19/2026 12:02:40 AM
As the natural world begins to awaken and dazzle us with its long-awaited creations of blossoming trees, singing birds, scented flowers, and fresh green grass, we wanted to share what D.A.C.O.T.A. is creating as we move forward in 2026.
Following our Winter Collective of Poetry and Art, D.A.C.O.T.A. member Liz Judice is currently showcasing her photography at the Art at the Library exhibit. Her collection includes floral photographs that can help lift our spirits as we wait for flowers to bloom in our own gardens. Her exhibit runs through the end of April, so please visit the library this month to view her photography. The next Art at the Library exhibit will feature work of local artists Linda Olewnick and Sherry Adams.
The first Art in the Windows exhibit of 2026 will run from June 8th through July 2nd. Members will be displaying artwork in storefronts downtown to commemorate our country’s 250th anniversary. The second Art in the Windows exhibit is scheduled for October 8th through 30th, and it will have an open theme. We look forward to seeing what the artists of D.A.C.O.T.A. will create for each of these events!
We are discussing the possibility of holding a Poetry Night at a downtown venue, where local poets will be invited to read their poetry. We hope to have more details about that soon.
The annual D.A.C.O.T.A. Art Gala will be held in October this year. Last year, the Gala was held at three different downtown locations — Raven Moon’s Oracle, Letty Jo’s Elevated Alchemy, and Deja Brew. We will be conducting fundraising to support the Gala, so if you are interested in contributing to this event, please let us know.
Award-winning local artist Marianne Fyda will be the first guest speaker in our 2026 Speaker Series.
The student applications for the annual Dr. George N. Nye Art Scholarship offered by D.A.C.O.T.A. were submitted at the end of March and are being processed.
Over the last three years, D.A.C.O.T.A. has donated over $9,000 to local school classrooms for art supplies. This essential Art Room project is suspended until fundraising enables us to continue. Once again, if you, someone you know, or a local business would be interested in donating to help us support the Arts in DuBois, please send us a message.
The pandemic created a hiatus in our annual Art Walk, but after several years, we are excited to announce its return in 2027! Plans are already underway for this beloved community event. Please stay tuned for more updates!
Thank you for your continued interest and support for D.A.C.O.T.A. and the many seeds we plant to help the arts grow and flourish in DuBois!
Cindi Delinsky
D.A.C.O.T.A.
12/26/2025 3:49:21 PM
The arrival of snow and frigid temperatures tend to stop our world in its tracks. Inevitably, everything slows down. We suddenly find ourselves watching snowflakes fly all around and marvel at the beauty of winter wonderland.
With the holidays fast approaching, we look back at DACOTA’s 2025 work and mission in our community.
Our January through March meetings main focus was scholarship protocols for the upcoming graduation class. It required weeks of back and forth communication between our scholarship committee and schools’ guidance offices. DACOTA’s goal is to award art scholarships to worthy high school senior graduates in the DuBois Area School District who plan to peruse an art degree.
Last May, DACOTA’s Dr. George N. Nye Art Scholarship awarded a total of $3,000 to three high school graduates: Maggie Tobin (DAHS) Allison Thompson (Jeff Tech) and Emma Thompson (Jeff Tech). Congratulations!
Late winter and early spring meetings set the tone for goals, projects, collabs and other art related activities that will take place during our busy summer and fall seasons. Already on our 9th year, ART AT THE LIBRARY presented six different solo and collective art exhibits this year, notably we sponsored our first Poetry-Visual Art Show during May and June.
ART IN THE WINDOWS which continues to grow in popularity for both artwork originality and educational content, took place in June/July with the show “ Spring” and in October/November we sponsored “Artistic Influences That Made Artists Artists”.
On its second year, the already popular SPEAKER SERIES features guest artists and community business leaders, one remarkable speaker was art historian and business owner, Darius Clement who delighted everyone with local historical facts.
In October, we sponsored the 5th Annual ART COLLECTIVE & GALA which this year took place at three different locations in downtown DuBois: Deja Brew Coffee House, Raven Moon’s Oracle and Letty Jo’s Elevated Alchemy. An exciting event with live music, door prices, light refreshments and wine tasting highlighting DACOTA’s members original artwork! Our 2026 Membership Campaign got off to a great start during this event as well. We are grateful to our loyal patrons for their continued support and we look forward to welcoming many more members throughout 2026 who hold the same vision and believe the Arts serve an important role in our lives and in our communities.
Autumn gave us plenty reasons to celebrate, in particular our beloved Marianne Fyda, who is one of DACOTA’s founding members and has served on the board since its inception, just shy of 40 years!. Marianne has been an inspiration to many for her artistic excellence, prolific work, curiosity and kindness. An award-winning artist and art teacher, for many years, is always willing to share her wealth of experience with others and we are grateful for it.
Recently, two diligent professionals joined our board of directors: Sara Zilhaver, who became our Secretary, and Linda Olewnick who is our new Board Member-at-Large. We welcome them and look forward to working with them.
We can’t stress enough the work our awesome volunteers do all year round to make sure all the events run smoothly and are of the highest level possible. From presenting scholarship awards at graduation ceremonies, guest speaker duties at local organizations, reaching out to artists, business owners and organizations, seeking event sponsors and donations, making copies, sending emails, making deliveries, setting up and cleaning up at events, and day to day problem solving, etc. We’re incredibly proud for their dedication and commitment to DACOTA!
To the artists, members, volunteers, supporters and partners thank you for another fantastic year in the wraps! We have great plans for 2026 and hope you are as excited as we push forward and make ART happen in our town!
Cheers,
Nina Turkin
DACOTA
5/19/2025 10:50:21 AM
DuBois Area Council on the Arts (DACOTA), has been promoting the arts in our community for over 35+ years, and that is quite an amazing feat for a small organization such as ours. We are extremely lucky to count among our officers one of the original founders, Marianne Fyda, PSA - our secretary-, who’s pragmatic and intelligent perspective has kept our organization true to its mission and looking towards the future. We are grateful for our members and volunteers, the motor that propels DACOTA forward, for our artists who are a dedicated, hard working group that keeps surprising us with their creativity and dedication to the arts.
As we head towards another busy season, DACOTA is excited to keep sponsoring educational and art events, artists, art teachers and art scholarships in the DuBois area once again!
During May, as area high school seniors graduate and scholarships ceremonies are taking place everywhere, we are proud to announce we have selected three graduating seniors ( Jeff Tech and DAHS), to be awarded the Dr George N Nye Art Scholarship!
The Art Exhibits at the DuBois Public Library are going strong. During May and till the end of June, we feature a collective of artists and poetry, a unique art exhibit not to be missed. During July-August we will feature our youngest artist member and a 2024 Art Scholarship winner, Jada Brumberg.
In June, we have the summer edition of Art in the Windows (AITW), a fun art show on display at various downtown businesses in DuBois. This season we added a few more storefronts so we can feature more art!
We will continue to sponsor members-only events such as Sketch & Drawing with a live model and a Speaker Series.
In late summer, our highly anticipated DACOTA Picnic takes place in Troutville, PA, and we can expect our pot luck feast to be delicious and the rolling hills breathtaking, as always.
Cheers!
Nina Turkin
9/30/2023 9:06:24 PM
Fall is always a fun season and there is so much going on. DACOTA got a head start with ART/MUSIC/WINE. The two-day event, September 29th and 30th, at Sunny 106! This event exceeded our expectations, we’re delighted to see many folks, friends and walk-ins, who came to check out the art show, chat, enjoy live music provided by the talented Edna Bloom, and have a few bites and wine tasting by Two Birch Winery. Our membership drive had great results as well.
Local artists, most of them DACOTA members, exhibited their newest works: Sherry Adams (mixed-media and collage), Paige Tomkinson (acrylics), Grace Bergin (oil and soft pastels), Master pastelist Marianne Fyda PSA (soft pastels), Karen Griffin (watercolors), Scott Gulvas (watercolors), Jeff London (photography), Patti Scherer Abear (photography), Nina Turkin (acrylics).
We thank Grace Bergin for all the hard work she put into this event and truly appreciate Sunny 106’s support by lending its lobby to double as a our gallery. Thanks Julie Stewart for your contribution, we really appreciate all you do for downtown DuBois.
But that’s not all, our fall edition of ART IN THE WINDOWS is scheduled for October 14th - November 4th. The theme selected is “Still Life”. Local artists will show their one-of-a-kind artwork in storefronts in downtown DuBois.
The ART EXHIBITS at the DuBois Public Library are in full swing, during October/November Grace Bergin’s beautiful pastels are on display to help you brighten your day. Don’t miss them.
Last but not least, the Day of the Dead - Día de Muertos - celebration altar will be on display at the Peaceable Kingdom from October 28th to November 4th!
Happy Fall!
Nina Turkin
DACOTA
11/1/2021 12:20:21 AM
For many folks, Autumn has connotations of cooler weather, turning leaves, apple picking, pumpkin carving, etc. For DuBois Area Council on the Arts (DACOTA), Autumn is also the season for Art in the Windows and Day of the Dead Celebration, taking place in downtown DuBois October 20th to November 15th.
This year, Art in the Windows pays homage to the American artist Georgia O'Keeffe (1887 -1986), recognized as the "Mother of American modernism". An iconic figure who was known as much for her independent spirit and female roll model as for her dramatic and innovative works of art. O'Keeffe has inspired generations of artists and art lovers with her New Mexico desert landscapes, her images of animal skulls, and abstract art including flower portraits.
Fifteen local artist will showcase their artwork at 19 locations - artist were encouraged to submit several pieces -, making it our largest art showcase yet.
The Peaceable Kingdom, becomes once again the site for the Day of the Dead altar offerings (altar de ofrendas), our 5th annual art installation, on display from October 30th - November 15th.
The Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos), a pre Colombian holiday observed in many Latin American countries honoring the dead during November 1 and 2.
DACOTA could not accomplish any these projects without the commitment and arduous work of our members and volunteers, we thank Grace Bergin and Marianne Fyda for their terrific efforts.
It's gratifying to see local businesses support the arts by taking part on this project and our good fortune to have artists willing to raise to the challenge.
Happy Autumn!
Nina Turkin
DACOTA
4/4/2021 11:53:55 PM
Spring, the season of renewal and growth has arrived and with it expectations for the ARTS to recover from a challenging pandemic year. DuBois Area Council on the Arts (DACOTA), joins the art community hoping that soon we would be able to gather safely outdoors to bring back fun arts festivals, concerts and performances, and once a large portion of the population gets vaccinated we will head indoors to enjoy art shows, theater, ballet, etc., as we did before!
It's with great sadness that we share the passing of John "Jack" Day. A DACOTA member for over 30 years and past president for at least half of that time. Described by his DACOTA colleagues as "A wonderful person; inquisitive and a good listener; with integrity, good judgment, reliability and sense of humor whose diligent steadiness successfully led to many collaborative efforts".
Jack's career spanned decades teaching high school and college, first in Ridgeway and later in DuBois. He had master degrees in English and in Media Arts and Journalism. He inspired many generations of students and coworkers with his enthusiasm for the arts, literature and poetry. After retirement he volunteered extensively at non-profits. "Poetry in the Park" is part of his legacy -a DACOTA's summer event held at the DuBois Memorial Park-, which he sponsored to encourage the reading and writing of poetry. Although this project has been suspended indefinitely it was the chief inspiration for our recent Virtual Poetry Project 2020-21. Our deepest sympathies go out to his widow Barbara Emmer and his family.
Far away there in the sunshine
are my highest aspirations.
I may not reach them but I
can look up and see their beauty,
believe in them,
and try to follow them.
- Louisa May Alcott
Nina Turkin
DACOTA
