Published May 09. 2025 01:50PM
by LOU WHEELAND Special to The Press
New art studio opens in South Whitehall Twp
A new South Whitehall Township business held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration at its grand opening April 3 in the Dorneyville Shopping Center.
Hawaii Fluid Art, is a nationwide art studio brand bringing a unique opportunity for customers to create art using acrylics and paints.
Sessions are available for individuals or groups including children’s programs.
The business is owned by Virginia Ellen and her mother, Mary Szakmeister, a dedicated mother-daughter duo whose passion is art.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was arranged by members of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELANDTime to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of Hawaii Fluid Art, Dorneyville Shopping Center, April 3. Sima Muradi, artist; Chris Peischl, South Whitehall commissioner; Jean Creedon representing State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-132nd; Hawaii Fluid Art co-owner Mary Szakmeister, her husband Nolan LeBlanc; co-owner Virginia Ellen; Andres Weller, representing U.S. Congressman Ryan Mackenzie, representing the 7th district in Pennsylvania; Diane Kelly, president, South Whitehall Board of Commissioners and Arif Saramad, foster son of Szakmeister and LeBlanc at the grand opening.
Co-owners Mary Szakmeister and her daughter Virginia Ellen, of the newly opened Hawaii Fluid Art, in the Dorneyville Shopping Center, are presented a citation from State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-132nd, by Jean Creedon during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Co-owners Mary Szakmeister and her daughter Virginia Ellenare presented a citation from U.S. Congressman Ryan Mackenzie, representing the 7th district in Pennsylvania, by Andres Weller during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
South Whitehall Township Commissioner Chris Peischl, left and Commissioner President Diane Kelly, far right present a citation to Hawaii Fluid Art co-owners Mary Szakmeister and Virginia Ellen.
Resin artist Sima Muradi adds pigments to resin demonstrating how to use these mixtures to create art at the grand opening of Hawaii Fluid Art in Dorneyville Shopping Center.