Matthew Serio, Program Director at the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA), will be the featured speaker at the “Wake Up With The Arts Breakfast,” set for Friday, October 5, at the Electric City Trolley Museum, 300 Cliff Street, on the property of Steamtown National Historic Site from 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM.

The ninth annual event, sponsored by the Lackawanna County Arts & Culture Department, brings national speakers to our community on varied arts topics of interest.

The breakfast will open with a short performance by the Justin Padro Trio and tables will be decorated by local artists and organizations.

Mr. Serio’s lecture, The State of the Arts in Pennsylvania, will focus on arts and culture trends across the state, the challenges and opportunities the arts face in Pennsylvania, and the role of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

Matthew has been in his position as Program Director at the PCA since 2012.  He oversees the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts, Entry Track, Local Arts, Presenting and Theater grant programs. Formerly he was Director of Development for Habitat for Humanity for Berks and Lancaster Counties; a Program Manager for the Berks Arts Council; and Festival Director of the Greater Reading Film Festival. He is a graduate of Kutztown University with a degree in Communication Design.

Since its inception, the arts breakfast has served as a creative networking event, focusing on educating, motivating and inspiring the public to use the arts, area artists, and art organizations, businesses and agencies to enhance the quality of life in Lackawanna County’s communities.  It also showcases the artistic talent in Northeastern Pennsylvania, due to the fact that the tables at the event are decorated by local artists and organizations.

The “Wake up with the Arts Breakfast” is free and open to the public.  Interested parties can register by emailing arts-culture@lackawannacounty.org or calling 570.963.6590, ext. 106.