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The Wyoming Valley arts scene is getting a new venue as homegrown artist Anna Malsky, who has recently returned to her West Pittston hometown, opens a new gallery at 900 Rutter Ave. in Kingston.

The gallery’s name is ANNAMALY — and, yes, it’s a play on the name of the young artist-in-residence, but you pronounce it like “anomaly.”

Just as that word suggests something out of the ordinary, you can expect some surprises here — whether it’s art by Anna, or art by various other artists she’ll welcome to show their work.

Tonight (April 22) “the community and art lovers alike” are welcome to an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m., where you can expect not only an art exhibit but live music, ballroom dance lessons, wine tasting by Legacy in a Glass and a meet and greet from other businesses in 900 Rutter Ave.

“My hope for the gallery is to create an energized space where anyone can walk through and not feel like they need a certain mindset to look and have an opinion on the work,” Malsky told a reporter. “I want the possibilities to be endless for the onlookers. I want to break the stuffy stigma around ‘art gallery.’ “

If you’re wondering how far from stuffy Malsky can be, here’s an example of how she surprised her mom, Gina Malsky, just the other day as the two worked together to prepare the gallery space.

Before Gina left for a short time, she suggested to Anna that she get rid of some clutter.

Some people would have hauled the assorted old items to the nearest Dumpster. But when Gina returned, she found that Anna had used a mannequin torso, a round ceiling fixture, some faux fur and some metal brackets to fashion a “found materials” kind of sculpture that suggests a ballerina in a tutu.

“I said to clean up; I didn’t say to <em>create</em> something,” Gina Malsky said later, laughing at the memory, but delighted that Anna shares her love for art — and for sharing it.

Actually, Anna Malsky said, her mom, who is artistic director of Dance Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, has been her inspiration.

“Growing up watching her teach and sitting through rehearsals, I’ve always been inspired by the movements of the dancers … but the costumes always caught my attention. As a young dancer I always loved wearing them as well. I wanted to start a piece using the materials I had access to.”

At 900 Rutter Ave., just flipping over a roundish fixture that had once hung from the ceiling made it seem “so much like a tutu to me,” Anna Malsky explained.

Speaking of Gina Malsky’s dance classes, she teaches young dancers at the Dance Theatre of Wilkes-Barre’s studio on Schuyler Avenue in Kingston. But as her daughter opens the ANNAMALY art gallery, Gina Malsky is opening Dance Theatre of Wilkes-Barre’s Extension in the same 900 Rutter Ave. complex.

Here Gina plans to provide numerous dance classes for children and adults, with the adult classes to include ballroom, choreographed wedding dances, ballet, jazzercize, modern, tap and more.

Classes can be tailored to the individual or group, Gina Malsky said, noting that a trio of two siblings and their cousin have signed up for tap dance classes for just the three of them.

Between the DTWB Extension and ANNAMALY, the Malskys expect to offer many opportunities for people to explore their own artistic abilities.

“My response is always, ‘You can,’ ” Anna Malsky said, explaining many people have told her they want to create art.

“By holding workshops and drawing events and children’s programs I want to continually flip shows and have people creating,” she explained in an email. “We’re all creative beings, and it’s so beneficial to express that side of ourselves. I want ANNAMALY to aid anyone who shows interest in that.”

For the younger set, this summer Gina Malsky plans to offer a program for children 8 years and older, called Arts in Motion. The 8-week session will be held June 21 through Aug. 12, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., (lunch included) Mondays through Thursdays at 900 Rutter Ave. and will cover classes in arts, dance, theater and singing with a taste of martial arts, cooking, outdoor activities and arts and craft.

“It’s kind of like having your kids taste all the vegetables,” Gina said, noting she wants to have the kids sample all the offerings before they decide to specialize in one or two areas. The fee is $600 for the eight-week session.

For even younger children Gina, who until recently ran an arts-centered preschool on the West Side, is planning a summer program called Kamps 4 Kids, to take place at Broadway on the Boulevard, 328 Kennedy Blvd., Pittston.

With divisions for 3 to 4 year olds, 5 to 6 year olds and 7 and older, the Kamps 4 Kidz sessions include “Welcome to the Rain Forest” from June 21 to June 24; “I am a Scientist” from June 28 to July 1; “Let the Adventure Begin” from July 5 through July 8; “Shelf Life” from July 12 through July 15; “Be an Olympic Gold Medalist” from July 19 to July 22, and “Anything Goes” from July 26 through July 29.

Sessions will run 9 a.m. to noon Mondays through Thursdays and cost $75 per week or $400 for all six weeks.

For more info, contact Gina Malsky at 570-332-7817 or at Missgina.dtwb@gmail.com

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ANNAMALY gallery to open with reception at 900 Rutter Ave. complex