Old and new celebrated
What began as a small artists club in 1934 will turn 75 this month, and the group now known as the Associated Artists of Butler County will celebrate the new along with the old.
The group's anniversary exhibit will open Oct. 17 with a daylong event featuring art demonstrations, hands-on projects, refreshments and mingling with artists. Artifacts and art from the first 75 years also will be on hand for sale and display.
In many cases, access to such history is possible through generational ties to the group.
Descendants of early members include Jane Rittelmann, 71, of Butler Township, who will display a walnut sculpture titled "Female Form," a bronze sculpture titled "Helmut Shell" and another bronze sculpture titled "Reaching."
"Both of my sisters and one of my daughters are exhibiting as well," said Rittelmann.
Rittelmann also will display works by her late mother Evelyn Nicholas.
"There are three portrait paintings done in oil by my mother," Rittelmann said, noting one titled "Eisenhower," once received an honorable mention in a Pittsburgh competition.
"As an offspring of an early member of the AABC, I recall the informal picnics and painting sessions the group would have," Rittelmann said. "It was a congenial environment — of good fellowship with people who shared a mutual talent and interest."
According to entries in AABC yearbooks, the group formed after several artists began meeting in 1928 at the framing studio of John Vogel, located at East Jefferson and South Main streets."We painted in oil, watercolor, pastels, etc. We set up a still life and often we painted portraits of each other," according to writings of the late Mary Ann Schmoker, published in 1994 for a 60th anniversary brochure."A noted Pittsburgh artist, Billy Metzkes, came from Pittsburgh and gave instructions. We also met in our homes, served lunch and had social times," Schmoker wrote."We decided to form an art club and elected officers. Our local Junior Women's Club offered to sponsor us. Our first exhibit was held in 1934 at the Butler Public Library."According to AABC president Paul Scanlon 58, of Butler Township, that exhibit featured 66 works from 19 local artists.The annual shows continued to be held at the library. The 10th annual show held in 1944 featured war bonds and stamps as awards. Henry Sherman, the founder of AABC, died in 1946.During the 1950s the annual art exhibits traveled from the Butler Public Library to the YMCA and then to Butler High School."In 1952 the group held its first easel show at the Standard Motor Car Company showroom at the (corner of) North Main Street and East Brady Street. It was also the first year that the AABC yearbook was compiled," said Scanlon, who was instrumental in creating a publication to commemorate the 75th anniversary.
Several of the current and most prolific artists became part of AABC during the 1950s. They include Eleanor Bauer, Thelma Marsch, Elizabeth "Betty" Gomory Vogel, Jules Hilliard, Mary Bauer and Marcia Walls.They also include now deceased artists like James Bashline, whose body of work includes an elaborate miniature circus on display at the Butler County Heritage Center.Bashline's daughter Aryl, 53, of Butler Township, also belongs to AABC."The 1960s saw the AABC becoming more involved with the community," Aryl Bashline said."I remember meeting all of the members of the AABC starting from age 11 on. My dad became an active member again about 1967 or so. I believe much of that had to do with being a part of the Butler County Music and Arts Festival," she saved.Members also displayed their works in the 1960s at the Beaux Arts Ball sponsored by the Butler Little Theatre and at the first Butler County Music and Arts Festival at Armco Park, which drew a crowd of 20,000.
While Andrew Wyeth was busy working on his "Helga" series, the AABC was busy delving into community activities. In 1970 the AABC joined the newly formed Butler Arts Council and participated in the Concert of Arts and Fashion, which later became known as the Fall Festival of the Arts.By the late 1980s AABC membership had increased to more than 100 artists."I began attending with my father in 1986 when I was attending Slippery Rock University," said Bashline, a former executive director of The Art Center.The annual exhibits were drawing more than 300 pieces per show and art education programs were limited due to size and space considerations.By 1990, AABC had opened its gallery on Main Street, securing the rental space with grant money.In 1991 AABC hired its first executive director, Jackie Uytenbogaart."When The Art Center opened, it immediately became used not only as display space but for classes and community involvement. In 1994 there was a vision for an art auction to raise funds for The Art Center," Scanlon said."The AABC has had a huge impact on local artists, particularly younger budding artists who get the chance to take advantage of affordable art classes and to learn from and eventually compete with the more mature artists in the exhibits," he added."As I've combed through the (archives) researching the history of the AABC, I've been amazed at the number of free exhibits and community-oriented events the AABC has sponsored or participated in," Scanlon said."As you explore Butler, you'll find many pieces of donated art from members of the AABC displayed in places like the Butler Public Library, Sunnyview home and churches."
The dawn of the new millennium spawned many changes in The Art Center. The pegboard walls in the main gallery were replaced with drywall, and the bathrooms were refurbished.The Rittelmann Gallery was painted and new lighting was installed and the carpeting removed. These changes upgraded the atmosphere. A mezzanine gallery was created for more intimate shows.Under the direction of Aryl Bashline, a children's section was created with community donations and assistance from AmeriCorps volunteer Michael Rehm.The space has been used for after-school classes and classes for home-schooled children."During the 70th anniversary year in 2004, there was a gathering of 12 members who had been a part of the association for more than 30 years. My father took part in that," said Bashline.In 2004 the concept of ART24 also was born."It was a day set aside in the fall celebrating 24 hours of the arts and wrapping up with an art auction to raise funds for The Art Center," Scanlon said."The event featured all aspects of art including music, drama, poetry readings, fashion and more."The Age of Aquarius Music and Arts Festival also dawned courtesy of former president Larry Sassone, who brought all of the aspects of 1960's art and culture to The Art Center for a weekend of music and art.Currently the AABC hosts nine major monthlong art exhibits each year along with solo and small-group exhibits.The facility includes more than 5,000 square feet of gallery space, the Kid's Art Corner and classroom, a ceramic studio and a Members Gallery Shop.The nonprofit AABC is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors.The group's overhead, totaling about $45,000 annually, has been met through community donations, entry fees, fund- raising events, grants and dues from its 200 members.Annual dues ranges from $25 for seniors to $20 for students, $40 for individuals and $120 for families.Scanlon said as many as 20 AABC members also volunteer to staff the building and coordinate shows."You can see we've come a long way," Scanlon said, noting the current show will feature 300 artists.It has been underwritten by Slippery Rock University and Burt Hill, an international architecture and engineering firm based in Butler.
<B>WHAT:</B> 75th anniversary exhibit sponsored by the Associated Artists of Butler County<B>WHEN:</B> Opening 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 17 and continuing through Nov. 6. Center hours are noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 9 p.m. Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.<B>WHERE:</B> The Art Center, 344 S. Main St.<B>INFO:</B> 724-283-6922 or www.butlerartcenter.net
