Tamaqua has an art district.

Yes, it does, and it continues to grow through the efforts of the Tamaqua Community Arts Center and the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership.The latest sign of growth will be seen during an art exhibit this Saturday, featuring the work of Tamaqua's first artist in residence, Jeffrey Collins.The artist arrived in Tamaqua on June 21 from his home in Columbus, Ohio, and was provided with an apartment on Mauch Chunk Street (a TACP renovation project) and an enormous studio on the third floor of the Tamaqua

B.P.O. Elks building on West Broad Street. The history and vastness of the studio spoke to Collins, leading him to create extra dimensions to his art.Normally identifying his art work simply by the date it was completed, Collins' first work in the new studio actually has a name of its own "Exalted Ruler," speaking to the history of the building where he worked. The 72-inch by 52-inch painting features acrylic paint on acrylic yarn on a painted wooden chassis.Keep in mind that June was very warm in Tamaqua. The third floor of the Elks Building is only accessible by staircase, lots and lots of steps, and acrylic yarn can be used in clothing to keep you warm. So, to say Collins was a bit warm while creating his first painting could be somewhat of an understatement.Wrapping the yarn meant going around and round in circles, or is that rectangles? So, he was a little dizzy sometimes, but that's not what called to him to do other works based on the history of his studio.The visions of art work dancing in his head resulted in the creation of a suite of paintings he has named the Thrones.Since arriving in Tamaqua in late June, Collins has completed 11 paintings and is working on two others. He starts with a wooden stretcher, which he calls a chassis as he doesn't stretch canvas over them. He then selects a skein of acrylic yarn and wraps the strands horizontally, vertically and then diagonally, creating unique "canvases" to which he applies acrylic paint.The paint he uses is also somewhat unique in that it contains hollow nano-glass spheres, making for a light, fluffy texture. And it's all about the texture for this artist.As his time as a resident artist comes to an end in Tamaqua, Collins reflects on his introduction to Tamaqua through artist friends like Stephen Bennett and Joe Marioni. He hopes to be able to stay in Tamaqua and continue his art as he sees Tamaqua as the perfect place for artists."It's only two plus hours to New York City, the art center of the country. Being so close to that center, but still having that small-town experience is amazing. I've met so many warm, wonderful people here, including many who helped me through the struggles of my first days here."Everyone has been more than kind. Tamaqua residents are just future friends you haven't met yet," he said.Collins' creations will be on display from 6 to 9 p.m. this Saturday at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center, 125 Pine St.