The lights stayed on after the doors closed.

That’s because Leona Rega was working passionately and tirelessly for her community.

The Tamaqua Community Arts Center director constructed a complete overhaul of the operation and transformed the venue into a multidimensional staple of Schuylkill County during her 8-and-a-half-year tenure.

“When I came on board, there were a handful of volunteers,” Rega said. “They had a kids’ craft class, an open mic night, a jam session and guitar lessons.

“The building still looked, felt and breathed like it was an old church. It was a bare-bones type of development. It’s taken a lot of passion and creativity, not just from myself, but from the volunteers, to make it what it is today.”

One of Rega’s early visions was to incorporate the finer arts and develop the entertainment art component.

In 2013, Rega and the arts center hosted a Paint N Sip - one of the first venues to do so in the area. The new concept type of event helped springboard the arts center into other avenues.

“What’s really beautiful was that local artists started contacting us,” said Rega. “I wasn’t out hunting any more for artists, they were coming in the door saying I saw that you offer classes, can I teach? For many of them, they had never taught anywhere before. It was a beautiful way for people who have artistic ability and talent who always did it as a hobby to start making a living that way.”

Monthly exhibits at the gallery gave an opportunity for artists; experienced or inexperienced, to have their work featured publicly.

“A lot of artists, for the first time, shared their work with anyone outside of their families and friends. That was beautiful.

“Our mission statement, when we developed it, was ‘to be a safe place for all to learn, create and appreciate the arts.’ And I feel that we met that mission. We truly helped people come in and appreciate their own talent and the talents of others.”

Rega and her team of volunteers led multiple community projects that received immense feedback from the Tamaqua area. Every project Rega planned had a purpose.

“Back in 2014, we did the first community project called ‘Dear Tamaqua.’ That was also a launchpad for the arts center. It really helped put us on the map locally. I think it helped people to take us seriously - if we say we’re going to do something, we mean it.”

Through that process, Rega said the upstairs of the arts center was redesigned. “The Stitch” has become a popular destination for many. Countless high profile and local performances were brought to the community on that stage.

“It didn’t look like a church social hall anymore. It looked like a theater and performance space. Once we did that, local bands were playing here and then we were able to branch out to tribute bands; bands from all over. New York, New Jersey, Delaware were contacting us. The tribute that gives to us, a small community, is that even though those tribute bands were used to getting high dollar amounts to larger crowds, it made them feel good to play here. And in a way, they were accepting less, but they were giving back to a small community which the crowd and space were warm and welcoming.”

Rega helped connect the arts center to all facets of the community. The venue became home to many Tamaqua Drama Club plays and practices and was also heavily involved in a major recent school project.

“The Art of Escape, we really worked with the school and their students to help design and build the escape room. Each project was different but brought their own important piece of the puzzle or contribution to what the entire arts center is.”

The goal was to always be self-sustainable.

Under Rega’s leadership, the arts center pioneered into uncharted waters and expanded in other areas. Through it all, her adaptability was critical. When the pandemic started, it was time to think outside the box. After working with volunteers, the arts center decided to offer an online auction. It turned out to be such a hit, that 7 more were hosted via Facebook Live.

The auctions raised money to keep the doors open, and helped new artists gain exposure. In fact, the youngest auction donor was 2 years old, and his piece was purchased.

“That was a way to keep the arts alive, during a time when it was the last thing people thought should be open. It was also a way to connect with people virtually. It was something that took you out of the troubles of the world for a couple of hours each night. We had hundreds of people who tuned into just to watch - they wouldn’t even be bidding.”

Rega worked months upon months of 50-60 hourlong work weeks to get the job done. She said there were sequences where her family would not see her, but they supported her knowing her heart was in the exact right place. The community.

Rega said the journey would have been impossible without countless volunteers over the years.

“There are so many volunteers who have left their mark here. And those who spent the most time here are still active here. Those are aren’t able to be here still keep in touch from a distance and I think that speaks volume.

There were surely sweat and tears poured into the arts center during her tenure. Through it all, Rega’s leadership and determination has catapulted the arts center from where it was before she arrived. Furthermore, her love and care for the people of the Tamaqua community has proven to be second-to-none.

Rega connected more people during her tenure as director than she likely realized. Members of the Tamaqua community and surrounding areas coming together for one reason or another, but mostly, to put a smile on someone’s face.

For some, it became a home away from home.

“My message to the community is, while I was a huge part of creating what you had today, in order for this center to be a focal point of the community, you need to continue to support it and become involved, and you need to continue to work hard with the people that are here. The work here is not done, it’s just time for a new change and a new phase, and it’s going to take new faces. It would make me proud.”