Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts
For more information on concert schedules and ARCA membership, please contact ARCA Executive Director, John Soroka, at (724) 659-3153 or info@alleghenyriverstone.org.
Inspiring Music and Art in Foxburg on the Beautiful Allegheny
Located in the historic village of Foxburg on the beautiful Allegheny is north-western Pennsylvania’s premier fine arts center, Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts (ARCA).
Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit arts organization founded in 2004 whose mission is to provide stimulating and enriching professional arts and education programs that touch the lives of thousands of people living in the multi-county region and thereby contributing to the economic growth, vitality, and quality of life in western Pennsylvania.
ARCA presents diverse and affordable world-class entertainment with something for everyone “From Bach to Rock” and the McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer in Lincoln Hall for the Performing Arts, as well as the stunning visual art of regional artists in its Red Brick Gallery and Gift Shop. Providing Educational ArtReach resources in a partnership program with the local Allegheny-Clarion Valley Schools is central to its mission.
“Come Down to the River – the Culture is Fine.” The arts center was founded twenty years ago in the foothills of the PA Wilds in Foxburg, providing an idyllic destination for ‘culture with a view’ – where the pristine natural beauty of the Allegheny-Clarion River Valley is mirrored in inspiring music and art presented in its concert season and art gallery. This cultural tourism destination is located at the crossroads of Clarion, Venango, Butler and Armstrong counties – two hours or less from Pittsburgh, Erie and Cleveland and draws its audience from a ten-county region – where nature and culture meet in Foxburg, on the beautiful Allegheny.
In its home in Lincoln Hall for the Performing Arts at 42 South Palmer Steet, Foxburg (parallel to Main Street), ARCA presents an eclectic calendar season from March to December with two concerts a month: Wurlitzer theatre organ, classical piano and chamber music, opera and musical theatre, Celtic, Bluegrass, R&B Soul, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and cabaret concerts performed by internationally renowned artists, national touring bands and celebrated regional performers and dance theatre. Its annual outdoor concert draws an audience of all ages with picnic baskets and coolers basking in the scenic beauty of RiverStone Estate to music ranging from Bluegrass to Rock ‘n’ Roll and R&B.
ARCA’s Red Brick Gallery at 17 Main Street, Foxburg, presents six guest exhibits a year in its Upstairs Gallery and the artwork of seventeen cooperative artists in the first floor Gift Shop – pottery, wood working, silversmith and costume jewelry, weaving, baskets, photography, multi-media, botanical watercolors, oils and acrylics.
The Red Brick Gallery is open weekends from April to December, RBG hours are Friday 1 to 6 PM, Saturday 11 AM to 7 PM, and Sunday Noon to 5 PM. Appointments outside regular hours are available by appointment: 724-659-3153.
20th Anniversary Season
In 2025, Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. John Soroka, ARCA’s Executive Director said, “ARCA has been successful as a rural arts initiative because it acknowledges what unites us – a shared intent to honor what uplifts the human spirit. ARCA is more than an audience – we are neighbors, friends, and family who have found in concerts and exhibits a cultural refuge away from the congestion of the cities and intense pace of our daily lives. Like the river that runs serenely through the beautiful Allegheny-Clarion River valley, patrons continue to be renewed and uplifted by ARCA concerts and Red Brick Gallery exhibits in this most beautiful place. The arts offer a kind of healing. When the spirit is ennobled and renewed, the mind and body respond. Together, through ARCA, we can continue to build the arts in the Allegheny-Clarion River Valley to enhance the quality of life and as a legacy for the future of our children and the community.”
Program and Marketing Director, Katherine Soroka, said, “We invite the public to experience ARCA’s 20th anniversary season in Foxburg on the beautiful Allegheny… where uniquely one can look up from a stunning artwork in the Red Brick Gallery and gaze out the window at the river and beautiful sunset… or after a stirring performance by world class musicians, leave Lincoln Hall, deeply breathing the fresh air while gazing at the moon over the valley. That is the unique ‘inspiration factor’ when art reflects the natural beauty of its surroundings. Many have travelled long distances to have that cultural and spiritual renewal in a tourist destination like Aspen Music Festival in Colorado or The Grand Teton Music Festival in Wyoming. Thanks to the generosity and support of ARCA’ founders, donors and members, for the last twenty years we have built such a cultural destination right here in Foxburg, in northwestern Pennsylvania’s scenic and pristine Allegheny-Clarion River Valley. Join us this season as we continue to “Turn Down the World – and Turn Up the Wonder”.
Concert Venues – Lincoln Hall and Beyond
Concerts are presented in Foxburg at Lincoln Hall for the performing arts – ARCA’s home. In past seasons, concerts also have been performed at The Episcopal Memorial Church of Our Father; the Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School Auditorium; on the Foxburg Green and on the grounds of RiverStone Estate. The Pittsburgh Symphony Brass at Christmas was a perennial favorite in the Church of our Father and the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra has performed at A-C Valley Schools.
Beginning in 2014, ARCA also presented concerts in Emlenton – Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Ringers hand bell choir at the United Methodist Church and River City Brass and a Beatle Tribute Band, the Billy Price Band and Pure Gold Doo Wop and Golden Oldies at The Crawford Center. The popular Madrigal Dinner had been performed in Lincoln Hall and at the Wolf’s Den in Knox prior to COVID.
ARCA’s first performance season was inaugurated in 2006 in its home, the recently restored Lincoln Hall performance space located atop the Foxburg Free Library. Built in 1909, Lincoln Hall has retained its nineteenth and early twentieth century charm with many authentic design features, as well as an original hand painted stage curtain that now serves as the stage backdrop. Lincoln Hall houses the McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ, and a seven foot Steinway grand piano graces its stage.
From Back to Rock – Artists, Ensembles and Bands
In the last twenty years, ARCA has presented internationally and nationally renowned artists and groups as well as regionally celebrated performers in multiple streams of music for the broadly based interests of ARCA’s audiences – from classical and crossover to jazz, R&B, contemporary popular and bluegrass – to choruses, brass bands, cabaret, opera and musical theatre, dance theatre and the McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ… Something for everyone at affordable prices in this most beautiful setting.
Internationally renowned classical performers have included pianists Kenny Broberg, Sean Chen, Svetlana Smolina, David Allen Wehr, Cynthia Raim, Alec Chien, Sean Kennard, and Barbara Nissman – as well as the GRAMMY award winning Akropolis Reeds, Alexander String Quartet, Violinist Andres Cardenes, Chatham Baroque, Pittsburgh Symphony chamber musicians, Frederick Moyer, Gayle Martin and Nathan Carterette.
Acclaimed classical chamber and orchestral musicians include David Allen Wehr & Music from the Bluff series at Duquesne University; The Akroplis Reeds – GRAMMY winner – performing a concert & educational; Alexander String Quartet – Wigmore & Concert Arist Guild winner, recording artists; The Pittsburgh Symphony Brass Pops Christmas concerts; Chatham Baroque; River City Brass; Pittsburgh Symphony Chamber Musicians; Andres Cardenes – violinist; C Street Brass performing a concert and education; The Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra; Beo String Quartet performing a concert & education; Philadelphia Brass; Monique Mead & Con Brio Trio – commissioned an educational video during COVID; Three Rivers Ringers, among others.
Stellar theatre organists over the years have included internationally renowned Dave Wickerham, Walt Strony, Dennis James, Ken Double, Brett Valliant, Martin Ellis, Clark Wilson, Scott Foppiano, Donna Parker, Jonas Nordwall and Jelani Eddington.
National acclaimed and multi-award IBMA award winning bluegrass groups have included GRAMMY Award winning bluegrass fiddler Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, Missy Raines & Allegheny, The Becky Buller Band, Special Consensus, High Fidelity, Fast Track, The David Mayfield Parade – and for 15 years, The Allegheny Drifters – and country artists The Black Lilies.
Crossover groups are TAKE 3 Trio, performing concerts & education; The DePue Brothers Band performing ‘Grassical’ music and Cello Fury performing a concert & education. And Celtic music featured has included Carnival of Souls and pianist/singer Cahal Dunne.
Jazz and Ragtime artists have included Benny Benack III – 2024 Rising Star Male Vocalist, Downbeat Magazine / trumpet; Benny Benack Jr Band; Loren & Mark, International Thumb Pickin’ Guitar Virtuosos; John Burgh & Lisa Bleil cabaret; Tania Grubbs; The Colbys; Harold Betters, Jazz Trombone; Deanna Witkowski; Jazz pianist; Tom Roberts – Solo stride, Silent Film, Allegheny Ragtime Orchestra; Adam Swanson, Ragtime and Americana Pianist; Bob Milne, Boogie Woogie – Ragtime pianist; CATRO with Tammi Dahl; John Marcinizyn & Susanne Ortner – guitar/clarinet – performing a concert & education; and the Greenville H.S. Steel Drum Band.
Contemporary Popular, Rock ‘n’ Roll and R&B artists have included Big Country, WaterSeed, Chantal Joseph, The Colbys, Billy Price Band, Beatles Tribute Band, Pure Gold Doo Wop, John Burgh All Stars, InTransit Band, Shane Alexander, solo Guitarist – songwriter, Max Shang and Tom Panei.
Vocalists both in concert and cabaret evenings with table seating and candlelight have included vocalists Brazilian recording legend Kenia Chantal Joseph, Dane Vannatter, Judi Figel, Lisa Bleil and Daphne Alderson – and the a cappella group, Back Track Vocals performing a concert & education.
Musical Theatre and Opera shows – and variety shows have included Resonance Works’ Side by Side by Sondheim; Aria412’s Sentimental Journey: Golden Age of Broadway as well as an original commissioned music for education in A-C Valley Schools, A Fractured Musical Fairy Tale; Mezzo Soprano Emily Righter & baritone James Bobick; Mezzo soprano Katherine Soroka with Robert Frankenberry and Walter Morales;Pianist Dennis Geib & Friends Christmas show.
Choral concerts have included The Madrigal Dinner; Slippery Rock University Chamber Singers; Grove City Touring Choir; and Clarion University Chamber Singers.
RiverStone Estate Outdoor Concerts
Outdoors at picturesque RiverStone Farm, ARCA presented the Scottish Festival for five years, featuring Scottish athletic competitions, soccer clinics, sheep dog demonstrations, and Scottish dogs agility and obedience shows – with Celtic music concerts abounding in Lincoln Hall and outdoors on the Foxburg Green and at RiverStone Farm.
In 2013 ARCA presented the Scottish rock band, Big Country in the RiverStone outdoor arena. Since then, ARCA has shifted its summer events at RiverStone Farm to outdoor concerts, bringing nationally acclaimed popular artists to perform in RiverStone’s scenic beauty. In 2014 ARCA presented the DePue Brothers Band, acclaimed “grassical” recording artists; and in 2015 the funk, rhythm and blues recording artists, WaterSeed; as well as international thumb picking guitar virtuosos and recording artists, Loren and Mark. In 2016, Nashville recording artists The Black Lillies were opened by local country singer Isaac Cole.
In 2017 and 2018, the John Burgh Big Band had the audience dancing until dark on the grass by the H-Barns. In 2019, ARCA members flashed back to the past with the classic rock of Marquis 66. After a two-year hiatus during COVID, the RiverStone outdoor concert resumed in 2016 with The InTransit Band, which is returning by popular demand in 2025 following the ARCA membership picnic and pig roast in the H-Barns, presented again as a thank you to ARCA members thanks to the generosity of the new owners of RiverStone Estate.
Educational ArtReach Concerts in the Allegheny-Clarion Valley Schools
Since 2009, ARCA has presented a sequential arts education program in the Allegheny Clarion Valley Schools, funded by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. In 2013, the cross over music group, Cello Fury, presented workshops in the elementary schools, offering a ‘cello petting zoo’, followed by assembly concerts in the elementary and high schools. A family concert in the AC Valley High School auditorium in the evening drew a large audience to experience the musical magic of Cello Fury and to “try the cello” at intermission.
ARCA has built on this success with a partnership program originated in 2014 by arts professional Katherine Soroka with the Allegheny-Clarion Valley Schools: The Music That Makes Us Dance brought professional dancers and teaching artists to present movement and music workshops and assembly concerts, plus a community concert designed for families in the Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School Auditorium – all on the theme of music and the dance.
In Dancing Off the Canvas in 2015, Attack Theatre (dance) performed H.S. workshops and an assembly concert and ARCA exhibited A- C Valley student art at the Red Brick Gallery and in Foxburg businesses during the summer. In 2015 & 2016, the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra performed concerts in the A-C Valley High School Auditorium. In recent years innovative educators, C Street Brass, Akropolis Reeds, Beo String Quartet, Aria412 and the Renaissance City Winds served grades K to 12 via small group Informances, assembly concerts and after school workshops, providing instrumental coaching for Jr. & Sr. High School band students.
During COVID, internationally renowned violinist & teaching artist Monique Mead & Trio con Brio produced the educational video “Spark your Creativity”, which was shown to elementary students in their classrooms and is now posted on YouTube. In 2022, students from A-C Valley Schools from grades K to 6 and Jr. and Sr. High school students in music, theatre and dance were bused to Lincoln Hall for four educational programs performed by internationally acclaimed theatre organist, David Wickerham. In 2023, the crossover group TAKE3 Trio dazzled the students in workshops and assemblies and in 2024 the a cappella singing group Backtrack Vocals brought students and teachers on stage in assemblies demonstrating their newly learned skill of “beatboxing” – a complete hit and wildly successful.
McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ
Lincoln Hall is home to a 1929 Wurlitzer – The McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer – which was originally installed in Cleveland’s Uptown Theater. It is one of twenty-four built in this style and size. The instrument retains its ornate French console and was painstakingly rebuilt by Paul McKissick. Lincoln Hall’s Mighty Wurlitzer contains seventeen ranks of pipes and is characterized by a balanced blend of unmistakable Wurlitzer ‘sounds’. It was purchased by Patricia and Dr. Arthur Steffee, ARCA’s Founders, to enhance the newly restored Lincoln Hall.
Since the series was inaugurated, ARCA has presented concerts featuring nationally acclaimed organists, including Dave Wickerham, Walt Strony, Dennis James, Ken Double, Brett Valliant, Martin Ellis, Clark Wilson, Scott Foppiano, Donna Parker, Jonas Nordwall and Jelani Eddington. In 2024, a year long restoration project commenced with a concomitant funding raising campaign to prepare the 100 year old Wurlitzer for the next fifty years. The newly restored organ received it gala debut on Sunday, June 1 in the hands of Dave Wickerham.
Red Brick Gallery & Gift Shop
The Red Brick Gallery and Gift Shop, founded in 2010 by botanical artist Donna Edmonds, is Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts’ boutique fine art gallery and gift shop located in historic Foxburg. The Red Brick Gallery exhibits in a charming and historic, 136 year old building at 17 Main Street in downtown Foxburg. The building, once the business office of the Fox Family from Philadelphia, was restored recently and has reopened as both a Gift Shop and Gallery and with an inspired use – as an Artist Cooperative.
With the help of local artist volunteers (cooperative member artists), The Red Brick displays and has for sale on consignment on the first floor, works of local painters, photographers, and artisans. Their work also is featured in a special holiday exhibit annually. The Red Brick Gallery strives to nurture artistic creativity by providing a venue for viewing works by local artisans and other emerging art talent from the surrounding region and to provide a sales outlet for their works. Art works are displayed in the shop space on the first floor and the second floor is used as a gallery space for various exhibitions.
The Gift Shop offers for sale the works of local artists in a variety of media: Wood artisan charcuterie boards, wooden bowls, vases and furniture; fiber art, sterling silver jewelry, gemstone jewelry, costume jewelry, oil and watercolor paintings, pencil drawings, fine art photography, pottery bowls, mugs and vases, hand woven scarves and rugs, knitting, wearables, and greeting cards…
RBG Cooperative Artists are also featured in special exhibits and a holiday exhibit. 2025 cooperative artists are Karin Arnds, Taylor Banner, Chris Bauer, Joanne Crosbie, Kurt Crosbie, Mark DeWalt, Mel Dunlap, Donna Edmonds, Ann Harting, Kathy Hogg, Dennis Keyes, Jason Floyd Lewis, Karen Mortland, Charlie Platt, Nissa Rappoport, Cathy & Jack Trzeciak, and Heidi Wirtner.
Red Brick Gallery exhibits have featured Sigrid Piroche, Doug Elder, Stacie Johnson-Leske, James Stewart and Anna Singer, among many others others. Music & Art concert openings have featured poetry readings by Phil Terman and the Clarion Poetry group and musical performances by Mark DeWalt, Tom Panei and Max Schang.
In the 2025 season, the Red Brick Gallery will be open for weekend hours April through December: Fridays, 1 PM to 6 PM; Saturdays, 11 AM to 7 PM; and Sundays, noon to 5 PM; or by appointment.
Cooperative Membership is open and interested artists may apply.
For more information on concert schedules/exhibits or becoming a Cooperative Artist, volunteering for ARCA, or becoming an ARCA member, please consult the website categories or contact ARCA Executive Director, John Soroka, at (724) 659-3153 or via email at info@alleghenyriverstone.org.
