“The arts give us hope. They have the power to bring people together.”

These are the words of Kathy Fallow, founder and donor of the Carbon County Creative Arts Fund that operates under the auspices of the Carbon County Community Foundation. The fourth annual “Art with a View - A Charity Auction Exhibition and Sale” will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Blue Mountain Resort, located about six miles outside of Palmerton.

The event will feature visual artwork from 23 Carbon County artists.

“When we started the program in 2018, we had 10 artists represented,” said Fallow, “and our growth suggests that our vision to encourage interest in Carbon County art has been working well.”

Fallow’s associate and co-founder, Janet Salek, who coordinates the protocol of the program, reports that this year’s group of artists includes water color, oil, and pastel painters, woodworkers, jewelry makers, iron sculptors, and even someone who creates art with gourds. Salek explained the significance from the proceeds gathered from sponsors donations and ticket sales.

“We create grants that we give to various programs and places that foster and encourage the arts in Carbon County,” she said. “Previously we have given grants to the Carbon County Institute Talent Show, to the Zion Opera Workshop and to Palmerton Concerts in the Park.”

Salek added that grants were also awarded to the Bach and Handel Chorale and to libraries located in Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, and Palmerton to sponsor, “Sheltered Stories,” a selection of personal anecdotes written during the pandemic.

Other grants were offered to the Lehigh Gap Nature Center in Slatington to have a mural painted and to the Palmerton Historical Society to bring the Allentown Symphony Orchestra to the park to help celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of Palmerton.

Another highlight of the “Art with a View” event is the Lifetime Achievement Award. Last year, it was presented to 101-year-old Mary Kocher. This year’s recipient is 102-year-old Edith Roeder. Both Carbon County residents have had their paintings displayed in various public places around the area.

Palmerton has always had a strong appeal to both Fallow and Salek.

“I was born and raised in Palmerton and then I left for 40 years before I came back home,” Fallow said.

“I was gone for 50 years,” Salek said, “and I’m happy to come back here to live.”

Fallow, who came to America from Ukraine, commented on the power that various forms of artistic expression have upon the human condition.

“During the war against Russia, the Ukrainian Symphony played outside in the cold and in the dark to lift the spirits of those under siege,” she said.

She added that the universe is in itself an artistic expression. “Ukranian soldiers are given sunflower seeds to keep in their pockets. In case they should die in battle, it is the hope the seeds will grow new flowers and new life.”

Salek said that our country is so divided and that art can bring us together.

“Nobody talks politics when they are absorbed in a painting or listening to music. That’s why we need to encourage the efforts to keep art alive,” Salek said.

Several months of planning have created an “Art with a View” event that reaches beyond the walls of the Blue Mountain Resort. It’s a labor of love for both Kathy Fallow and Janet Salek.

“It’s an awful lot of fun,” said Fallow, “especially when we see a room full of smiles.”

“I’m so excited to be a part of this wonderful event,” Salek said.

Tickets for Thursday’s event and sponsorship information can be purchased from the Carbon County Community Foundation website.