Take one of the F.M. Kirby Center’s many memory-making moments home during our online photo auction. Starting at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 1 at Kirbycenter.org/auction, bidding opens on an online-only auction featuring over 30 photos of artists like Alice Cooper, Diana Ross, Willie Nelson, Derek Hough, and more.

The fundraiser is presented by Comitz Law Firm, LLC, and benefits the F.M. Kirby Center’s arts education mission programming. Be sure to lock down your favorite photos before bidding ends at 10 p.m. Saturday, August 3.

For the auction, concert photographers Amanda Hrycyna, Scott Kucharski, and Jason Riedmiller hand-picked their favorite shots taken inside the F.M. Kirby Center. Director of Marketing Neil Prisco and Marketing Associate Gene Axton also contributed photos, including beautiful shots of the F.M. Kirby Center’s interior and exterior features.

This fundraiser is a great opportunity for concertgoers to secure a memento from an event they attended, for fans to acquire a unique piece of art featuring their favorite performers, and for history buffs to get professional shots of a local landmark.

The varied selection of images includes an opportunity to claim an amazing shot of singer/songwriter Frank Turner, as photographed by Scott Kucharski. The photo captures Turner mid-performance at the F.M. Kirby Center, but for Scott, it’s also a fond memory in a day spent with one of his favorite musicians.

“I ran into Frank Turner at an acoustic show at the Scranton Times building on the afternoon of the Kirby show,” Scott said. “He and his manager were getting out of an Uber. I struck up conversation and long story short, I ended up driving them to [Joe Nardone’s] Gallery of Sound for an in-store spot and then dropped them at the Kirby for his show. I’m a huge fan and getting to hang with and drive him to all of his appearances that day before getting to photograph him was a pretty big deal for me.”

Scott’s contributions also include Grammy-winning bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings, who performed as part of the F.M. Kirby Center’s Chandelier Concert Series before moving on to headline arenas across the country.

Those sort of intimate experiences—whether they’re in the lobby or the main auditorium—are Amanda Hrycyna’s favorite part of photographing at the venue.

“That’s what’s great about the F.M Kirby Center,” Amanda said. “The diverse artists that filter through and the energy they bring to this beautiful, intimate venue. My photos just translate the atmosphere around the artist.”

When looking through the photos Amanda contributed to the auction, pay close attention to the way she frames her images. For events at the F.M. Kirby Center, Amanda aims to bring the moment to life with one of her favorite features of the venue.

“I love the above-the-stage lighting different acts have,” Amanda said. “When I photograph close to the stage, I tend to get low and shoot up so I can frame the artists with that above light.

For some artists, the stage isn’t enough—they need to be out amongst the people. When Trombone Shorty stepped into the crowd during his 2024 performance at the F.M. Kirby Center, Neil Prisco knew he had to get the shot.

“During his set, Shorty ventured into the audience, turning the aisles into an impromptu second line reminiscent of his native New Orleans,” Neil said. “To capture the moment, I had to sprint around the theater floor and lift my camera high above the crowd, hoping for the perfect shot. The resulting photo showcases an artist striving to create more memorable moments, inviting the audience to become a part of the show. It was a magical convergence in Wilkes-Barre, PA, where the line between performer and audience blurred, allowing everyone to share in the experience.”

In photographs, moments can be shared, cherished, and captured for future enjoyment—and this online photo auction features some of the very best moments hosted by the F.M. Kirby Center. Your bid will help make new memories at the theater, too.

A portion of proceeds from the auction supports free tickets for school-aged children during our annual Laux Young People’s Theater Series. Your moment to bid ends at 10 p.m. Saturday, August 3, so capture your favorite photos before it passes!

Featured image: Avett Brothers photographed by Jason Riedmiller