Courtney Natt shows off a painting of her partner, Sylvia. It’s one of the many statement pieces on display at The Gallery at 530 Main in downtown Stroudsburg. “Really, it’s just supposed to be showing her freedom of expression and the freedom to be herself,” Courtney explained.

Courtney is one of 100 artists featured in the gallery's first ever show called Artists of the Poconos.

“Art is about history, connection, culture, and education. It's an easier way to bridge people together when there's so many differences,” she adds.

Dating back to 1906, the building that now houses The Gallery at 530 Main served different purposes overtime, most recently as headquarters for the former Pocono Arts Council. Instead of celebrating its 50th year of supporting and fostering the arts, the organization closed in late 2024 due to financial issues.

Jack Swersie, a well-known artist in the Poconos, worked with the nearby Sherman Theater, who also owns this building, to keep a gallery going here. The back space is shared with In2You Arts, which offers youth classes in music, art, and acting.

“The Arts Council always focused on the community and without that, I think people would have felt lost in the art world. It was important that we stepped forward and continued the tradition of having a place to show local art,” Jack said.

The Gallery at 530 Main will host different exhibits and shows throughout the year. Visitors can browse or buy the art. Many pieces have already found their new homes. “In fact, I just shipped a painting to Omaha, Nebraska. So, we are now a national organization," Jack smiled.

Elizabeth Tilley is one of the founding committee members volunteering alongside Jack. After owning her own gallery in Upstate New York, she eventually moved to Stroudsburg to contribute and invest in the art scene here.

“We have GO Collaborative with the Snowmen of Stroudsburg that are bringing people in, and all the great restaurants. Being in the thick of it is just perfect,” Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth enjoys quilting and creating artwork with nostalgic value. Her piece featured in the Artists of the Poconos exhibit includes vintage tissue paper patterns, sheet music, and a frame sourced from an antique shop. “To me it's about the beauty in the world, the love in the world. It's the connecting force that we need so much. That's why my piece is called Remember Love,” she added.

Like paints on a palette, the artists and galleries in downtown Stroudsburg all work together. In addition to their involvement here, Courtney and her wife run Create and Be Studio, which celebrates diversity through art. They host unique shows like ‘Black Culture in the Burgs’ and events for mental health awareness, Hispanic Heritage Month, and rewind karaoke just to name a few.

“A lot of people in my generation show their art online, so we're trying to bring them in person to show a different element of showing your artwork instead of just on Instagram and Facebook. So they get that interaction, that connection with people,” Courtney explained.

“We have an incredible art community, and the talent is immense. We’re all one big family,” Jack added.

The Gallery at 530 Main is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12 - 4 p.m.