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Arthur Miller - The Wizardry Of Art...

December 29th, 2023

Arthur Miller - The Wizardry Of Art...

Art Prints

Artist Arthur Miller was born in the small town of Parsons,Pennsylvania,the son of an Anthracite Coal Miner. 

As a young graduate of the US Naval School of Photography in 1964, he was assigned to America�s first British FBM Atomic Submarine Base ( Subron 14 ) at Holy Loch Scotland. There he worked on illustrative assignments provided by the US Navy Photographic Center, Washington DC. He received several Navy commendations & awards for his photography, including a Naval commendation for his coverage of John Paul Jones Birthplace, which exhibited at the US Naval Museum , Washington, DC. 

Arthur Miller is the founder of The Photography Department at Luzerne County Community College Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.He originated, designed and implemented the curriculum for and instructed the Basic & Advanced photography courses at LCCC. These were the first accredited college photography courses ever taught in Wyoming Valley PA. He also designed the photographic facilities for the then new, college campus in Nanticoke PA. As one of the founding instructors, along with Howard Purcell (The original Green Lantern illustrator, ) & Andrew Palencar, (Director of Art Education for the Wilkes Barre Pa. city School system), He assisted in the planning & design, of the Commercial Art Program at LCCC. 
At Misericordia University, Dallas, PA. He designed & implemented the Photography curriculum and instructed the Basic & Advanced photography courses in the Fine Art Degree Program. 

Art has exhibited in many Shows, Including several at the SALMAGUNDI CLUB ( Center for American Art ), New York,*The US Naval Museum Washington, DC. *Marywood University, *Everhart Museum Scranton PA. *MacDonald Gallery, Misericordia University, Dallas, PA. Wyoming Valley Art League PA. Fine Arts Fiesta, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.* Lackawanna Jewish Federation *Artists For Art Scranton, PA. & many More, Receiving numerous awards for his art-work. Mr. Miller has been a Judge for Art exhibits including several for the National Scholastic Art & Photography Competitions & The Wyoming Valley Art League. 

He has served as Photographic Editor for the Wilkes University Quarterly Magazine,& the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Centers Quarterly Magazine. His photography was selected for publication in McGraw Hills Fundamentals of Marketing, As A professional Artist he has provided thousands of Photographic illustrations, nationally & internationally for Magazines, Brochures, News Services, Ad Agencies, In house publications, Bill-Boards, etc. etc. Art Miller is a full time Artist/Photographer & is a Past President of the Wyoming Valley Art League of N.E. PA. Arthur Miller has studied art under Andrew Palencar, Howard Purcell, Vincent Civiletti ,US Naval Chief Photographer Victor Reinhardt, and gratefully acknowledges the influence they have had on his life & career. 

John Canaday once described an artist as a person that looks at something and sees something else. Such is true of Arthur S. Miller. The subjects of Miller seem to come alive, leading you into a journey where he shares an intimate experience he has had. Each is different and unique in its own way� 
Brian J. Benedetti, Director, Pauly Friedmen Art Gallery, Misericordia University, Dallas PA. 

Art Miller is one of the best.
Andrew Palencar ,Director of Art Education , Wilkes Barre Pa. 

I have had the pleasure of working and teaching with Arthur Miller for a number of years now starting in 1968. In my opinion Art is a Photographer EXTRAORDINAIRE, and it is without hesitation that I once again make the statement: He, like his Photography is simply The Best.
Howard Purcell. Chairman ,Commercial Art Dept. Luzerne County Community College. 

It has been my distinct pleasure and good fortune to know and work with Art Miller over the past 22 years. Arthur Miller has always been the consummate professional. Art's professionalism and talent are of the highest quality... 
David Jolley, Vice President Public Affairs, Geisinger Medical Center. 



Vita & Past Exhibit Information... 
Arthur S. Miller 
619 Bodle Rd. 
(Carverton) Wyoming, PA. 18644 
Phone: 570-333-0533 
E-mail am@epix.net 

Arthur Miller Is An Artist Who Works In Paint and Postmodern Photography-based Art 

Professional Experience 1964 - 2019 
As a Professional Artist / Photographer he has provided thousands of illustrations for Magazines, Brochures, News Services, Ad Agencies, In house Publications, etc. etc. Nationally & Internationally and as a Fine Art, Artist/Photographer he has created signed ~ limited edition prints and original art for both corporate & private clients. 

1964 - 1967 United States Navy, 
Naval Photographer, Great Britain (Scotland), 

Teaching Experience 1969 - 1972 
Luzerne County Community College Wilkes Barre PA. Arthur Miller is the founder of The Photography Department. He originated, designed and implemented the curriculum for and instructed the Basic & Advanced photography courses. These were the first accredited college photography courses in Wyoming Valley PA. Art also designed the photographic facilities for the then new, college campus in Nanticoke PA. As one of the founding instructors, along with Howard Purcell (The original Green Lantern illustrator, ) & Andrew Palencar,(Director of Art Education for the Wilkes Barre Pa. city School system),He assisted in the planning & design, of the Commercial Art Program at LCCC. 

1971 - 1972 Misericordia University, Dallas, PA. 
Arthur Miller designed & implemented the Photography curriculum and instructed the Basic & Advanced photography courses in the Fine Art Degree Program. 

2006 - Marywood University, Scranton PA. 
Instructor, basic & advanced Advertising and Illustrative photography courses. 

Photography Workshops 
Guest Artist - Wyoming Valley Art League, PA. (The Artist & The Camera). 2005, College Misericordia, 1971; Coughlin High School, 1972 & 1973; Plains Jr. High School, 1973 

Education 
1964 Graduate United States Naval School of Photography, 
1967 -1969 Luzerne County Community College, 
A.A.S. Commercial Art, 
1974 - 1975 Wilkes University, Additional Studies 

Articles & Reviews 

2021 - U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW | Washington, DC 20520
202-647-4000 | TTY:1-800-877-8339 (FRS)
https://www.state.gov FROM THE WYOMING VALLEY TO AFRICA, WITH PRIDE
ONE AFTERNOON, A U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT TRUCK PULLED INTO THE BREAKER BREWING COMPANY PARKING LOT ON NORTHAMPTON STREET IN WILKES-BARRE TWP.
Author The Citizens' Voice - Jack Smiles
Website https://www.citizensvoice.com/lifestyles/from-the-wyoming-valley-to-africa-with-pride/article_d7a2ff26-8b41-5b23-8d49-ce125eda3d51.html
TagsArticle, Media, Ouagadougou Media

2017 Anniversary Edition - The Bridge Magazine - Luzerne County Community College 50th Anniversary,ARTHUR MILLER IN FOCUS Pgs 21-22, Link- https://issuu.com/rbogdon/docs/bridgewinter2017web 

2017 March 8 - Wyoming County Press Examiner - C.J. MARSHALL / PUBLISHED: MARCH 8, 2017 EMCA displays works of... Link- 
http://wcexaminer.com/news/emca-displays-works-of-local-photographers-1.2164518 

9/11/2016 - Citizens Voice Newspaper, Wilkes Barre PA. by PAUL GOLIAS.~ Anthracite inspired art~ Coal dust and decades of anthracite mining history run through Arthur Miller's veins.Blend in a generous dose of United States history and his artistic photography talents and the result is a piece of art that cries out, This is our Northeastern Pennsylvania, who we were and who we are. 

12/9/ 2015 - TIMES LEADER (Northeastern Pennsylvania News) by:By Gene Axton - gaxton@timesleader.com, Title: Photographer, artist and former educator Arthur Miller takes photos from his collection to walls of Breaker Brewing Company 

03/01/2008 The Independent a Magazine of Creativity/Culture/Change/ The Artists�Spotlight, pg. 64, 210 Division St. Kingston, Pa. 18704 

12/6/2007 - Decked-out photography 
The Artists' Studio ec/dc's Monthly Gallery Tour By Alicia Grega-Pikul Current Events Editor, North eastern Pa's premier arts & entertainment weekly newspaper, A Times-Shamrock Communications co. 

Summer1991 - The Reporter,Vol. 9. No.2 Page 10, A publication for alumni & friends of Luzerne County Community College. Award Winning Photographer... 

Exhibitions & Awards 
2022 ~ Art e Fekts Gallery, Pittston, Pennsylvania. March 24th - April 16th. Group exhibition (5 Works) Photography Exhibition "IN COLOR".
2021 ~ Art work "Ducks In A Row" selected for exhibition by the Art in Embassies (AIE) program, United States Department of State. At the Burkina
Faso, Ouagadougou, West African Embassy at the official residence of United States Ambassador, Sandra E. Clark. 2 years duration. the Art in Embassies
program seeks to achieve a visual diplomacy between the United States and it's host countries.
2021 ~ The Luzerne County Community College 2021 Faculty & Alumni Virtual Art Exhibition, Schulman Gallery Feb_March 2021 Nanticoke PA.
2019 ~ Schulman Gallery, Luzerne County Community College. Faculty~Alumni Exhibit.1333 S. Prospect St. Nanticoke PA. 18634
2019 ~ March 3rd to 24th Endless Mountains Council of the Arts~Photo Show 2019
2018 ~ Oct. 12 - Nov. 28, 2018 Schulman Gallery Luzerne County Community College. Faculty~Alumni Exhibit 1333 S. Prospect St. Nanticoke, PA. 
18634 
2017 ~ March 4-26 The Endless Mountains Council of the Arts 2017 PHOTOGRAPHY Show, Tunkhannock PA. 3rd.Place. 
2017 ~ LCCC Faculty and Alumni Exhibition~Schulman Gallery, ~Opens January 13, 2017~Artists Reception: Friday, January 27, 2017 from 6:00 - 8:00pm~Ends Feb. 15th 2017~ 
2016 August August 01, 2016 - August 12, 2016 Salmagundi Club Forty-Seven Fifth Avenue @ Twelfth Street | New York, NY 10003 annual Photography and Graphics Exhibition. 
2016 February. 5-28 Group Show "LETS GO ABSTRACT" Endless Mountains Council on the Arts, 302 West Tioga St. Tunkhannock, PA. 18657 
2015 January 2-25. Group Show "FIVE FOR THE NEW YEAR" Endless Mountains Council on the Arts, 302 West Tioga St. Tunkhannock, PA. 18657 http://youtu.be/AJ16Z7D8X-g 

2014 Aug 1st - 24th. 18th Annual Regional Art Exhibit 2014 Endless Mountains Council on the Arts, 302 West Tioga St. Tunkhannock, PA. 18657...Honorable Mention "Illegal" 

2013 July 26th.- Aug 23rd 17th. Annual Regional Art Exhibit 2013 Endless Mountains Council on the Arts, 302 West Tioga St. Tunkhannock, PA. 18657 

2012-2013 Nov.30- Jan.3rd 2013 The Annual Faculty/Alumni Exhibit Schulman Gallery, Luaerne County Community College, Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. 

2011 March 4-27 The Endless Mountains Council of the Arts PHOTOGRAPHY - 2011 Exhibit, Opening Reception Sunday March 6th, 2-5 pm , at the EMCA Gallery, 302 W. Tioga St. Tunkhannock PA. 18657 Add Info: EMCA (570) 836-3622 

2010 Collective Visions September 10 October 16, 2010 Work by artists Arthur Miller, Nina Davidowitz, Barbro Jernberg, Jim Lennox, Maria Livrone, Allison Maslow, and Leigh Pawling. http://www.luzerne.edu/schulmangallery/index.jsp 

2009 International Aperture Awards Melbourne, Australia. Bronze Award to Arthur Miller USA for 'Madame Mercury' www.InternationalApertureAwards.com 

2009-2010 Dec. 11th. to January 22. An art exhibit featuring Luzerne County Community College's faculty and alumni at the College's Schulman Gallery.Nanticoke, Pennsylvania.Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. http://www.luzerne.edu/schulmangallery/index.jsp 
2009-2010 Nov. 16th. to Jan. 5th. 2010 At the Pierce Gallery 517 Pierce St. Kingston PA. 2 man show, Arthur Miller & Frank Kluk, Sponsored by the Wyoming Valley Art League, Hrs.-M-F-8am to 5pm, Sat. -7am to 3pm, closed sundays. 

2009 May, Wyoming Valley Art League, Fine Arts Fiesta exhibit, Wilkes Barre, PA. 

2009 April - May N.E. PA's Wyoming Valley Art Leagues Annual Spring Members Exhibit...Awarded Best Of Show for 'Madame Mercury' 

2009 January-February,Group show invitational The contemporary works of Arthur Miller, Pete Nardone, Mindy Nardone, Frank Symbula, Jim Gavenus, Jimmy May, Tom Musto, Sam Cramer At The Schulman Gallery, Luzerne County Community College, 1333 South Prospect Street, Nanticoke, PA 18634-3899 . For additional information about the Schulman Gallery exhibits please visit http://www.luzerne.edu/schulmangallery/ or call 1.800.377.LCCC 

2008 Oct. 10th.-Nov.7th. Cultural Council of Luzerne County PA. 3rd.Annual Juried Exhibition at the Luzerne County Court House Rotunda.Wilkes Barre, PA. 

2008 Sept 19th. through October At the F.M.Kirby Center for the Performing Arts , Wilkes Barre, PA. Arthur Miller & Curtis Salonick Contemporary Works. 

2008 August 1- Sept.28th. 12th. Annual Regional Exhibit. Endless Mountains Council of the Arts,Tunkhannock PA. 1st. Place, Painting-Supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. 

2008 May, Wyoming Valley Art League, Fine Arts Fiesta exhibit, Wilkes Barre, PA. 

2008 April - May Wyoming Valley Art League, Annual Spring Exhibit, Wilkes Barre, PA. 2nd.Place Painting, HM Graphics. 

2008 March-May, Group Show, The Fab Five� Shakti Gallery Salon,Kingston PA 

2007-08 Wilkes Barre Pa. Citys Third Friday Art Walks, exhibits at Wyoming Valley Art Leagues Mid Town Village Gallery. Monthly. 

2007 Dec.Exhibit of contemporary works ,Hosted by the Citizens Bank, Kingston Pa. and supported by the Wyoming Valley Art League of NE Pa. 

2007 Nov. Wyoming Valley Art League Members Exhibit, Fall Show, WVAL Mid Town Gallery, Wilkes Barre, PA. 1st.. Place (Photography). 

2007 August, 11th. Annual Regional Juried Art Exhibit Sponsored by the Endless Mountains Council of the Arts, Tunkhannock, PA. supported by the Pennsylvania Council On The Arts 

2007 May, Wyoming Valley Art League, Fine Arts Fiesta exhibit, Wilkes Barre, PA. 

2007 April - May Wyoming Valley Art League, Annual Spring Exhibit, Wilkes Barre, PA. 1st.Place Graphic Illustration 

2007 March 4 - 25th. The Endless Mountains Council Of The Arts, Fifth Biennial Photography Show. Tunkhannock, PA. 

2007 Feb: MacDonald Art Gallery, College Misericordia, Dallas PA. Wyoming Valley Art League Group Exhibit. 

2007 Feb 2 - March 28, Schulman Gallery, Luzerne County Community College, Nanticoke PA. Faculty and Alumni 40th Anniversary art exhibit 

2006 Nov. Wyoming Valley Art League Members Exhibit, Fall Show, WVAL Mid Town Gallery, Wilkes Barre, PA. 2nd. Place (Graphic Illustration). 

2006 Sept-Oct Sublime To Madcap four person group exhibit at Marquis Art Gallery, Wilkes Barre, PA. 

2006 Wyoming Valley Art League,14 member exhibit in conjunction with the Pa. Governors Awards, Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, Wilkes Barre, PA. 

2006-2007 Monthly Exhibits, Wilkes Barre, PAs First Fridays. Fine Arts 

2006 May, Wyoming Valley Art League, Fine Arts Fiesta exhibit, Wilkes Barre, PA. 

2006 April - May Wyoming Valley Art League, Spring Exhibit, Pierce Gallery, Kingston PA. 

2006 Endless Mountains Council of the Arts. Members Invitational, Tunkhannock PA. Photography 

2006 Jan-June. Group Exhibit, Kazimis Gallery, Schuyler Ave. Kingston, PA. Arthur Miller, Linda Keck, Cathy Laskaris, Sue Nardone, Rose Reina-Brostoski, & Liz Revit. 

2005-2006 Monthly Exhibits, Wilkes Barre, PAs First Fridays. Fine Arts 

2005 Oct.-Nov. Wyoming Valley Art League Fall Members Exhibit, Pierce Gallery, Kingston PA. Fine Art Photography 

2005 Sept. Guest Artist & Lecturer, Wyoming Valley Art League, PA. 

2005 Aug.-Oct. Group Show, Shakti, Kingston PA. 2005 Month of June, Two Man Exhibition, Objet Expose DArt, Vieux Amis, Arthur S Miller & Harry Kellow. Pierce street Gallery, Kingston PA. 

2005 April, Pierce street Plaza Gallery, Kingston PA. Members Exhibit, Wyoming Valley Art League, First Place (Graphic Illustration). 

2004-2005 Monthly Exhibits, Wilkes Barre, PAs First Fridays. Fine Arts 

2004 Oct. Wyoming Valley Art League Fall Members Exhibit, Kingston PA. H.M. Fine Art Photography 

2004 April, Wyoming Valley Art League 50th Anniversary Members Exhibit, MacDonald Gallery, College Misericordia, Dallas PA. 

2004 Jan. American Wildlife Exhibit. Juried Exhibit, Endless Mountains Council of the Arts. Tunkhannock PA. H.M. Fine Art Photography 

2003 Jan.-March, Annual Regional Juried Art Exhibit Sponsored by the Endless Mountains Council of the Arts, Tunkhannock, PA. and supported by the Pennsylvania Council On The Arts 

2002 Wyoming Valley Art League Exhibit Nov. WVAL Gallery, Kingston PA. 1st Place BxW Fine Art Photography 

2002 Exhibit, Art & Jazz on The Ave. Scranton PA. City of Scranton PA. & Everhart Museum Juried Exhibit 

2001 Wyoming Valley Art League Exhibit, Dec. at the F. M. Kirby Center, Wilkes Barre PA. 1st Place B x W Fine Art Photography. 

2000 Endless Mountains Council of the Arts B x W Juried Exhibition Tunkhannock PA. 

1999 AFA Artists For Art Juried Exhibition, Scranton, PA 1999 Everhart Museum (Kristalnacht Reflections), Scranton. PA 

1998 Lackawanna Jewish Federation Holocaust Museum (Kristalnacht Reflections), Scranton, PA 

1992 Fine Arts Fiesta, Wilkes-Barre, PA 1st Place Photography 

1991 Arthur S. Miller Contemporary Fine Art Photography (One-man show) MacDonald Gallery, College Misericordia, Dallas, PA 

1991 Members Exhibit, MacDonald Gallery, Dallas, PA 

1991 Presented With The SALMAGUNDI CLUB Certificate Of Merit Award for Outstanding Work, New York 6/21/91 

1991 SALMAGUNDI CLUB (Center for American Art), New York, New York, National Juried Exhibit 2nd Place Black & White Fine Art Photography 

1992 North Pocono Cultural Society, 1st Place Black & White Fine Art Photography 

1991 Regional Arts Council, Scranton, PA, Juried Exhibit, 2nd Place Fine Art Color Photography 

1991 Regional Art 91 Juried Art Exhibit, Marywood College, Contemporary Gallery 

1990 SALMAGUNDI CLUB (Center for American Art), New York, New York, National Juried Exhibit Photography 

1990 Lackawanna Arts Council, Scranton, PA, Juried Exhibit, 2nd Place Fine Art Color Photography 

1990 Regional Art 90 Juried Art Exhibit, Marywood University, Contemporary Gallery,(Only Merit Awards were presented)Merit Award-Fine Art Photography 

1989 Fine Arts Fiesta, Wilkes-Barre, Pa, 2nd Place Fine Art Photography 

1988 Luzerne County Community College Invitational Faculty Art Exhibit, Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, Wilkes-Barre, PA 

1972 Main Street Gallery, Wilkes-Barre, PA 

1972 Gallery DeBeaux Art, Scranton, PA 

1969-1972 Luzerne County Community College, Faculty/Student Exhibit 

1966 U.S. Navy Chaplains Corp., Washington, D.C., Commendation - ~Photography~ 

1966 U.S. Navy Commendation Award ~Excellence in Photography~ 

1965 U.S. Naval Museum, Washington, D.C., John Paul Jones Exhibit 

1965 U.S. Department of Defense Commendation Award for Excellent Photography 

Publications-Contributions 
1980 - 1994 Photographic Editor / Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Quarterly Magazine 

1979 - 1982 Photographic Editor / Wilkes University Quarterly Magazine 

1987 - McGraw Hill Fundamentals of Marketing, 2nd edition; authors-Stanton & Futrell,professional advertising instructional program for colleges and advertising agencies. 

1987 - U. S. News & World Report, June 15, SOS International Assistance 

1987 - Golf Shop Operations,Aureus Sportswear 

Professional Memberships 
2006-2007 President Wyoming Valley Art League, Pennsylvania 

2005- 2008 Board of Directors Wyoming Valley Art League, Pennsylvania 2005- 

Endless Mountains Council of the Arts, Tunkhannock, PA. 

National Association of Naval Photographers 

Board of Directors of the Back Mountain Cultural Center, Dallas, PA later merged into Penn State Wilkes Barre Arts at Hayfield 1978 

2006-2008 Wyoming Valley Art League, PA.Website. 

Invitation To Judge and or Jury 
2008-Judge-Wyoming Valley Art Leagues High School Student Competition, Wilkes Barre, PA. 
2007 Judge-Wyoming Valley Art Leagues High School Student Artists Competition-Luzerne County Community College, Nanticoke, PA. 
2007- Jury-Luzerne County Community College, Nanticoke PA. Annual LCCC Commercial Art Students, Art/Photography Exhibit 
1981 - 1989-Judge Geisinger Medical Center Photography Competition. 
1987 � Judge National Scholastic Art and Photography Awards. Wilkes University Wilkes Barre, PA. 
1980 � Judge National Scholastic Art and Photography Awards. Wilkes University Wilkes Barre, PA. 
1980 � Judge Wyoming Valley Women�s Club Art Competition. 
1971 � Judge Wyoming Valley Art League Competition. 
1971 � Judge College Misericordia Fine Art Competition. 


Disclaimer: Although I have always liked the works of Arthur Miller the playwright, such as, All My Sons , Death of a Salesman , The Crucible , and have long admired his ability to attract women like Marilyn Monroe and the photographer Inge Morath, I have to mention that I am not related to him in any way. The real reason I mention these things is so the search engines like Google will find me in the overwhelming amount of material that pops up when you enter Arthur Miller in a search.I also like Ham Fisher of Joe Palooka fame,the famous American Indian painter George Catlin, the artist's Rev. Joseph Murgas , C.Edgar Patience , Franz Kline , Jon Carsman , Pen Shumaker, John Cabore, Niccolo Cartiglia, Alexander Murray of the Murray Art School S. Main St. and all the other great artists that came from my Wyoming Valley.


A Few Past and Present clients ...
Carol Ann Kelly, Willard Kresge, Paul Lukas/Jane Adonizio, Gail Aideuis, Ms. Joette Wasser, Dr. Mary Helen McSweeney Feld, K. Kazimi, Joyce. L. Rutherford, G. Menapace, David Jolley, C. Kosek, J.Lenkofsky, Samantha Weaver, M.E. Nieman, H. Kellow, A. Maslow, J. Yencha, C. Kindler, A. Marstell, A. Sordoni, H. Purcell, Ben Badman, J. Kosek, Leadership Wilkes Barre, TMI Aerospace - Great Britain., Billy Ocean., Geisinger Medical Systems, Wilkes Barre PA. , International SOS Assistance, Geneva Switzerland., Geisinger Medical Systems, Danville, Pa. , Deutche Lufthanza Airlines, Germany., Agusta Aircraft Italy., Fine Arts Fiesta Wilkes Barre, PA. , Smith/Dowty Aerospace , Wilkes University W-B PA., Kings College, W-B, PA. , Wyoming Valley Health Care System, General Hospital, ; First Hosp. W-B, PA. , Misericordia University, Dallas PA. , US NAVY, Chamber of Commerce W-B, PA. , Knudson Corp. Boise Idaho, US NEWS & WORLD REPORT, Sallie Mae, St. Michael�s School Hoben Heights, PA. , AeroMedix, Trevose, PA. , Sordoni Art Gallery Wilkes Barre, PA. , ISS International Shared Services, Plymouth Meeting PA. , National Scholastic Art Awards, Luzerne County Community College,PA, US Forest Service, Luzerne County Tourist Promotion Agency, American Red Cross W-B Chapter, Maslow Lumia Advertising, Times Leader Newspaper,W-B PA. , First Eastern Bank,W-B PA. , Citizens Voice Newspaper W-B, PA. , King Fith Wheel, Mountain Top PA. , Tru-Form,Valley Mfg. , Weil McClain Heating, The Lynn Organization Kingston ,PA. , Valley of Lakes Eagle Rock Resort, Hazleton PA.. Wyoming Valley Historical Society, Macdonald Art Gallery Dallas PA.. , Wyoming Valley Art League. , Nesbit Memorial Hospital, Kingston, PA. , Naval Historical Center, Wash, DC , Holy Loch Scotland, Site One Assoc. Interstate Building Materials/Interstate Window & Door Company, WVIA Public Television, Hoyt Library Kingston, PA. CNN Business News, Aureus Sportswear, West Pittston, PA., WNEP TV Scranton Wilkes Barre, WBRE TV 28 Wilkes Barre, Eberhard Faber Pencil Co.,

Tales From The Darkroom

July 27th, 2016

Tales From The Darkroom

He was just a young kid of twenty, way back in 1966, a recent grad of the US Naval Schools of Photography. He was assigned to Submarine Squadron 14, Holy Loch, Scotland--America's brand new Polaris missile base in Great Britain and far away from his home in the old Anthracite coal mining regions of Pennsylvania. One of many of the kid's important assignments came from the Naval Photographic Center, Washington DC. He was to provide photographs of the birthplace of John Paul Jones (the Father of the American Navy) for display at the Naval Museum, Washington DC. This was a Big Deal for the rookie photographer. The commanding officer assigned him a driver (the chaplain's own personal driver!) and a car. Off they went, on a foggy Scottish morning, the coal miner's kid from Parsons, Just outside of Wilkes Barre PA & his driver to a little cottage near Kirkbean, in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, Scotland.

Almost to their destination in Kirkcudbright the young photographer noticed a little stone church. That small voice in his head spoke to him, as it often did, nudging him to stop and poke around. He urged the driver to pull over.The kid had always been a perpetual snoop harkening back to his early childhood explorations of old anthracite coal collieries and mines, with catchy names like Peach Orchard Colliery, Pine Ridge, Mineral Springs, & Laurel Run Creek,& Blue Bottom.
Inside the main area of the church he saw a beautiful granite baptismal font with a plaque embedded on the front and a photograph on top. Something about an Admiral Harold Stark, US Navy. He snapped a photograph.

What our young boy did not know then was that Admiral Harold Raynsford Stark, himself a Wilkes-Barre native was Chief of Naval Operations in Washington at the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He later served as the Commander of the European Naval Forces in 1942, and as a liason between Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II. After his retirement, Stark served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Wilkes College, now Wilkes University.

Later on in the boy's life, he established his own photographic studio (Spectrum Studio) on South River St in Wilkes Barre, PA. One of his accounts was public relations photography for Wilkes University, where he was asked to photograph the Admiral Stark Room at the university's library. As he photographed the Room of the famous Admiral Harold R. Stark he remembered that little stone church in Scotland.

Another of the many accounts of Spectrum Studio was marketing & public relations photography for the then new Geisinger Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre, PA, the kid was asked to photograph the very last major event ever to be held at the now closed Sterling Hotel. The Sterling was one of Wilkes-Barre's oldest and grandest hotels and one of it's ballrooms was named the Admiral Stark Room. That event was the Geisinger Women's Auxilary Grand Ball. In attendance that evening was Congressman Dan Flood (Daper Dan),Dan's wife Catherine & actor Jack Palance and 'anyone' who was 'anybody' in Wyoming Valley. The little church in Scotland dimly flashed through his mind.

Years later, an elderly man gave our boy a box of antique 8x10 negatives. Among them the kid found several original negatives of Admiral Harold Stark's home in Conyngham Valley, PA. Once again he remembered the events of that foggy Scottish day and the small stone church in Kirkcudbright and couldn't help but wonder at the meaning of these recurring events in time.

Circles within circles. It is indeed a very small, strange, world we live in!

Arthur Miller is an Artist/Photographer

Living in Carverton, PA.