You're invited
The Associated Artists of Butler County's 2012 Invitational Art Exhibit opens Friday evening with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Art Center.
A $5 fee will be charged for admission to the opening, which includes live jazz entertainment, hors d'oeuvres and a cash wine bar.
“It is also an opportunity to meet some of the best artists in Pennsylvania,” said Paul Scanlon, AABC president.
The 70 pieces in the exhibit are a representation of artwork by 17 specifically invited artists from Butler County and the surrounding area.
Works by artist Mary Kay Richardson of Franklin Township include her “Unexpected Visitor,” a watercolor of a pair of young hawks that visited her backyard water fountain.
“We watched them for most of the summer before they got big enough to be on their own. This painting was done from a photo I took of the young hawk at my fountain,” said Richardson.
She studied art at Edinboro University and furthered her education by studying with some of the top artists in the United States.
“I paint watercolors, pastels and oils and have been producing art since I was in elementary school. It was very obvious at the time that was where my talent would be,” said the lifelong painter.
Stan Walchesky of Jefferson Township also has been painting since he was a child and has entered five pieces inspired by beauty, light, shadows and his peers.
“I like to paint old houses, barns, sheds and landscapes,” Walchesky said. “At the time of the creation of ‘Doerr House,' which I painted on site, beautiful light and shadows were washing over it.
“My talent is God given,” he said. “I've had classes at Butler County Community College and studied under Bill Rettig and Tom Sheehan and taken many workshops and seminars.”
Walchesky is an award-winning painter with many of his works on display in the area. He served as chairman of the Saxonburg Festival of Arts for 10 years.
“Several of the artists attending on opening night have been recognized nationally by groups such as The American Watercolor Society and industry magazines like American Artist Watercolor magazine,” Scanlon said.
For example, Pittsburgh artist Frank Webb, author of four books and recipient of more than 110 awards, was included in “20 Great Watercolor Teachers” by American Artist Watercolor magazine.
The work of Peggi Habets of Bethel Park was included in American Artist's “Best of America: Watercolor Artists,” and Jeannie McGuire of Pittsburgh is a recipient of the Gold Medal of Honor by the American Watercolor Society.
Phillip Salvato of Carnegie was invited by International Artist Magazine to paint at the ranch of former President Ronald Reagan, where he created a series of landscapes that were featured in a show in Sacramento, Calif.
Other featured artists include Kathryn Galey of Sarver, Marie Leysens of Mars, Sylvia Neupert of Saxonburg, William Perry of Harmony, Lisa Sten of Prospect, T.J. Sheehan of Butler, Carol Voltz Begley of Beaver, Robert Newton of New Castle, Roc Prologo of Wexford and Bill Vrscak of Pittsburgh.
<B>WHO: </B>Associated Artists of Butler County<B>WHAT: </B>2012 Invitational Art Exhibit<B>WHEN: </B>Opens with reception at 7 p.m. Friday, and exhibit continues through March 2. 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.aabcartcenter.com
