Create & Be Studio
The Cultural Oasis of the Poconos
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Featured Artist — Virtual Spotlight
Our Virtual Artist Spotlight highlights creatives to amplify beyond our physical space. These features live exclusively online and are part of Create & Be Studio’s mission to support artists through visibility, storytelling, and connection.
Miranda Davis
Illustrator · East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Artist Statement
Written by Miranda Davis
Miranda Davis is an illustrator based in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
From her love of Ghibli movies, Miranda began her journey into visual storytelling. With Hayao Miyazaki’s influential work, she learned to be a part of the change one seeks in the world.
Due to the lack of representation in the media, she took on the responsibility of featuring black women throughout her work.
From honest commentary to amusing illustrations, her paintings center around the feminine black experience. Her mission is to provide the world with vulnerable and honest illustrations of the black perspective.
Krysten Shaw (Koatori)
Multidisciplinary artist based in Mount Pocono, PA
Artist Statement
Written by Krysten Shaw
I am Koatori (Krysten Shaw), a multidisciplinary artist based in Mount Pocono, PA, working primarily in painting and mixed media. I have always navigated the world visually, drawn to color, texture, and form before I even had the language to describe them.
My creative roots trace back to childhood sketchbooks and museum halls. One of my earliest memories is standing inside the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in awe. Since then, art has been the place I return to, regardless of external expectations.
I draw inspiration from Black culture, nature, travel, and music—especially moments that hold a single, overwhelming emotion. My process is intuitive and experimental; while I occasionally plan my pieces, I often follow impulse.
The silhouettes and subjects in my work are intentionally nondescript, serving as vessels for emotion and story rather than fixed identity. Through bold color, texture, and mixed media, I invite viewers to recognize themselves in the work and to engage fully with their feelings.
As Koatori, I create work that feels familiar yet expansive—a practice of presence over performance, where simply existing is powerful.
Who We Are
We are a cultural arts space rooted in creativity, community, and representation. Create & Be Studio provides a welcoming micro-venue for private experiences and community events, while the Culture Connects Arts Fund helps local artists bring impactful cultural projects to life. Our mission: build a thriving creative ecosystem in the Poconos.
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(570) 213-9272
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