BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Allentown artist Brandon Dominguez said it's rewarding to have fellow artists around — even those whose mediums are far different from his — when he's creating.
"It's very different from just sitting in my own studio and being by myself," Dominguez said. "I get this sense of helping others to get out there and promote their work and have a support system."
Dominguez gave his impressions Sunday, amid about 50 local creatives attending the Ice House Punk & DIY open house and artist meetup at the Charles A. Brown Ice House, 56 River St.
"Especially being from a different country, coming here not knowing anybody and all of a sudden having groups of 50 more people that I know. I think it's valuable and that's what I'm the most excited about these events."Allentown artist Brandon Dominguez
"Especially being from a different country, coming here not knowing anybody and all of a sudden having groups of 50 more people that I know.
"I think it's valuable and that's what I'm the most excited about these events."
It was that kind of warm cheer that filled the Ice House halls when local creatives came together to talk shop in a historic building once known for its frigid temps.
Dominguez was a host for the gathering, with Lehigh Valley Arts Podcasthost Elise Schaffer.
The pair were invited to host their fourth artist meet-up at Ice House by Punk & DIY's committee members, including Ryan Susko and Tom Janis.
The Punk & DIY group works with the Ice House Performing Arts Collective.
Podcasters with purpose
At the soiree, Schaffer and her podcast co-host Ben Orr recorded an hourlong episode with the budding artists.
The podcast is available to stream on Apple Podcasts andSpotify.
The podcast, which is working on its fifth season, was started by Orr, his wife, Elisabeth, and Schaffer.
Elizabeth Orr and Schaffer were high school pals.
"We noticed when we were going to different art events and gallery openings that collectors and the like really enjoy having these deeper conversations with the artists," Ben Orr, who also is the podcast's executive producer, said.
"But it's not something that they always get a chance to. We wanted to come alongside these artists to give them the opportunity to put a lot of personality into their work and their public appearance and really work with them.
"So that if collectors are interested in seeing their work, they have a great, rich resource that they can come learn all about them, their personality and maybe some of the stories behind the work."
Sunday marked the fourth meetup for artists held by Schaffer and Dominguez.
Their previous artist meetings were held at Southside's Homebase Skateshop, the Lehigh University Arts Gallery and the Alternative Gallery in Allentown.
The next is scheduled for March 29 at Blick Art Supplies, 3152 Lehigh St., Allentown.
'Speak the same language'
During the monthly soirees, creatives are encouraged to bring their own supplies — whether it's a paintbrush, camera, or, as Dominguez showcased on Sunday, a tablet.
At the Ice House version, while fellow artists sat down to chat up with the podcasters, others painted, designed collages and swapped Instagram handles and business cards.
"They might be photographers or musicians or they might do collage, or mixed media. But we all understand each other, and we're all feeling the same way, where we want to be together and feel that sense of togetherness."Artist Brandon Dominguez
"It's interesting because there has always been a new group of people," Dominguez said. "It's never the same artists.
"Yet it's still easy for all of these different artists from different mediums to interact with each other, and speak the same language."
"That's been very surprising to me because I'm meeting new people. They might be photographers or musicians or they might do collage, or mixed media.
"But we all understand each other, and we're all feeling the same way, where we want to be together and feel that sense of togetherness."
The next Ice House's Punk & DIY show will take place March 6 with a concert with We're From Antarctica, the Dracu-las and D106. Tickets cost $10.
To learn more, visit the Ice House Punk & DIY Instagram page.
