this Westmoreland Arts Nationals True to its name, exhibiting artists hail from Greensburg, as far away as Florida, Massachusetts and Alaska.
The first of two annual jury exhibitions associated with the Westmoreland Festival of Arts and Heritage opened Saturday night at a reception at Westmoreland County Community College in Hempfield.
“The talent in this field and beyond is amazing,” said the festival’s executive director Diane Shreddernoting a total of 501 submissions, of which 106 were accepted.
“We’re thankful to the guy who got us over 500,” she joked.
Shirley McMullin | Tribune Review
Best in Show winner Elizabeth’s Cindy Morris (centre) with Erin Schrader, assistant executive director of the Westmoreland Festival of Arts and Heritage, and artist’s husband Mace Morris at Westmoreland Lan County Community College at the May 21 opening ceremony of the Westmoreland Arts Nationals.
Artists and art lovers gather to hear the following awards announced:
• Best Exhibition: “Skizzy’s Dream”, stained glass Cindy Morris Elizabeth’s
• Curator’s Choice Award: “The Lonely Flying Saucer,” Digital Art Keith Bastianini Bethel Park
• WCCC Chairman’s Choice Award: “Bella Terra Part Deux”, Infrared Photography alexis dillon greensburg
• Painting Prize: “Joy”, author Richard Harizack morrisville
• Graphics Award: “Lake Ladder” by: Lauren Scavo-Fulke Janet’s
• Craft Award: “Oval Pitcher” by: Stephen Heywood Hollywood, Florida
• Sculpture Award: “Goddess of Dawn”, by Brian Draper Springville, Utah
• Photography Award: “Misty Morning by the Lake” by: James Murphy greensburg
• Mixed Media Award: The Sun, Author Ron Negro Trafford
• Digital Media/Digital Art Award: “Hold On” by: Linda Kirby baden
• Newcomer Award: “Intellectual Jousting”, acrylic and ink Annabel Tal greensburg.
Shrader noted that the festival always selects out-of-state jurors, and entries are identified only by number.
This year’s judges are artists Mary Ellen Whaley Lewisville, Texas. Wherli has exhibited in jury exhibitions in Texas and California, and her work has been exhibited in many public buildings and museums.
Shirley McMullin | Tribune Review
Curator Nick Silvis (center) with curatorial assistants Suzie Bergman and Eric Kim at the opening of the Westmoreland Arts National Convention on May 21 at Westmoreland County Community College.
WCCC exhibition curators are artists Nick Silvers A Fine Arts graduate of WCCC and Seton Hill University, Greensburg, interested in large-scale sculpture, installation art, and jewelry design. He has served as a curator and curatorial assistant for past Art Nationals.
His curatorial assistant is Susie Bergman and Eric gold.
Art Nationals presented online in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
“It’s great to be able to do it digitally, but we’re excited to be back in person,” Schrader said.
The exhibit will run until June 8 in the Commissioner’s Hall. Visitors can vote for the most popular entry, which will be announced at the second exhibition opening reception on June 25 at the Twin Lakes Park Events Center, east of Greensburg, from 6-8 p.m.
The second exhibition, curated by local artists Jeff Donato, which will run in conjunction with the festival from June 30 to July 3. The awards ceremony will be announced at the reception at 7pm.
Seen at WCCC: Erin Shredder, Snooky Williams, Jennifer Benford, Paul and Mandy Sirovchuk, Mace Morris, Tamara DiBartola, Candice Hafinger, Nancy Rusbosing, Scott and Janet Anderson, Sean Gallagher and Shirley Dunlap Gallagher, Bethany Gary, Teresa Oliver, Amanda Oliver, Chloe Walls, Samara Roberts, Andrew Black Zelton and Camille Valenza-Hazelton, Erin Yeager, Fred and Cathy Silvers, Barbara Ferrier, Brandon Fum and Jessica Schulte, Jon Mullin and Devon Fronhoff.
Shirley McMullin is a staff writer for Forum Reviews. You can contact Shirley at 724-836-5750, [email protected] or via Twitter .
