Published: September 19, 2008 02:05 pm            

Accomplished artists

Area group presents 76th juried exhibit

The most compelling and inspiring works by the area’s most talented artists has been gathered for Allied Artists of Johnstown’s 76th annual juried show.

The creations are on display through Dec. 12 at Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Johnstown, said Tina Lehman, museum coordinator.

More than 70 works have been selected for inclusion in this year’s show by exhibition juror Vince Ornato, a Pittsburgh artist.

Ornato has been working in the commercial and fine arts fields for the past 20 years. He is focused on preserving and celebrating the industrial heritage of the western Pennsylvania region.

A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Ornato exhibits regularly at galleries, exhibitions and festivals throughout the Pittsburgh area.

This year’s show features photography, acrylic, oil, watercolor, jewelry, charcoal, aluminum and mixed media.

“We’ve had the pleasure of hosting this show for several years now, and I am consistently impressed by the talents of these artists,” Lehman said.

“There are many people, myself included, who look forward to this exhibition all year,” she added.

She said Ornato has selected an incredible group of pieces.

“It promises to be one of the most interesting and diverse Allied Artists’ shows to date,” Lehman said.

“I encourage everyone to come out and see for themselves the incredible artistic talents of our friends and neighbors.”

Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Johnstown is located in the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center on the campus of Pitt-Johnstown. The museum is open to the public free of charge.

Artists whose works are included in the exhibition are Michael C. Begenyi, Joseph Berezansky, Glenn Brougher, Edward J. Burda, Ken Cotlar, John Dropcho, Joy Fairbanks, Janie Leck-Grela, Jaime L. Helbig, Daniel C. Helsel, Bob Hovanec, Scooter Hovanec, Sam Howard, Walter Kososki, Marianne S. Krizner, Pamela M. Laney, Gary L. Lehman, Lisa Mull, Vivian Ohs, Mark Parrish, Ray Rafferty, Jim Richey, Diane M. Safko, Jenae A. Smith, Robin Strachan, Helen Thorne, Carolyn Vaughn, Ralph C. Welsh III, R.T. Wertz, Mary Wiley-Lewis and Sallie J. Zoerb.

The museum will host an opening reception for the show from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, when awards will be presented.

Although the reception is free and open to the public, reservations are requested by Wednesday. They can be made by calling the museum at 269-7234.

The museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Begun in the mid-1920s when Margery Coleman Harris and seven of her friends formed an art group to share their interest in painting, Allied Artists of Johnstown was formally incorporated in 1932.

The organization has grown from its original membership of eight to more than 100 artists today.

The group sponsors about four exhibitions a year.

        

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