Denise Mosley-Moore, of Cranberry Township, talks to artist Alicia Stankay during the “Martinis with Monet” event at the Cranberry Township municipal building on Wednesday. The Cranberry Artists Network’s annual juried art show featuring local artists will be viewable in the building for a month. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle 7/13/22

CRANBERRY TWP — Local leaders and residents mingled to celebrate the township’s accomplishments and appreciate the artwork of community artists at the kickoff events for the Cranberry Township Community Days festival Wednesday night at the Cranberry Township municipal building.

The Four Pillars Reception brought together members of the “four pillars” of Cranberry Township, as defined by the Cranberry Township Community Chest: businesses, nonprofit organizations, faith communities, and civic groups. After the reception, residents and visitors gathered to support the Cranberry Artists Network and explore their summer art show through the annual “Martinis with Monet” event.

“It’s really just to come here and celebrate Cranberry Township, and kind of kick off Community Days,” said Community Days co-chair Audrey Rattay. “(Martinis with Monet) is to showcase our artist network in the township, and the wonderful artists that we have, while also giving people a chance to mingle and meet the artists and learn about the art network.”

Sponsors of the Cranberry Community Days event and the Martinis with Monet event, including UPMC Passavant, Campbell Durrant, P.C., Cool Vapes Specialty Store and Herbert Rowland & Grubic Inc., were invited to share a few words at the event and attend.

Cranberry Artist Network treasurer Marcy Bogdanich adds a thumbprint to a collaborative art project during the “Martinis with Monet” event at the Cranberry Township municipal building on Wednesday. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle 7/13/22

Leadership focus

The Four Pillars concept helps local leaders define what makes a successful community, said Bruce Mazzoni, co-chair of Community Days and Cranberry board of supervisors member.

“It’s the nonprofit civic groups, it’s the good religious connection and aspects, education and local government, and last but most importantly is the businesses supporting the community,” Mazzoni said. “Cranberry Township was very blessed, so the idea was, let’s bring everyone together for one hour out of one day to celebrate our community.”

Township board of supervisors chairman Dick Hadley hands the microphone back to Community Days co-chair Audrey Rattay after making remarks during the Four Pillars Reception at the Cranberry Township municipal building on Wednesday. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle 7/13/22

During the reception, township board of supervisors chairman Dick Hadley thanked the community leaders for their contributions and congratulated the Cranberry Township Community Chest for its work on the Community Days festival.

“We value the partnerships that we have with all of you working together to make Cranberry what it is — a great place to live, work, and play,” Hadley said. “Throughout the weekend, you’re going to see the best of Cranberry on display, starting tonight.”

Martinis with Monet

Community Days co-chair Audrey Rattay reacts to her co-chair Bruce Mazzoni crediting her work during remarks at the Four Pillars Reception at the Cranberry Township municipal building on Wednesday. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle 7/13/22

The Martinis with Monet event combined a social gathering with a local art show. The juried show is the Cranberry Artists Network’s only ticketed show that also is open to nonmembers of the organization.

“It’s an honor just to be in this show,” said artist and member Carolyn Jane Parker, whose mixed-media and photography pieces were among the art on display.

The event has evolved over time into a recognizable start of the Community Days festival, said Noele Reynolds, president of CAN.

“It has become, for our network and the township, one of our signature summer events,” Reynolds said. “During COVID, we still pushed ahead and had a modified version, because it’s that important. People look forward to this show every year, and the thought of having a year or even two years off would take away from what it brings to the community.”

Mitzie Walton, Carolyn Parker, and Nancy Keenan, of Cranberry Township, look at a piece of art during the “Martinis with Monet” event at the Cranberry Township municipal building on Wednesday. The Cranberry Artists Network’s annual juried art show featuring local artists will be viewable in the building for a month. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle 7/13/22

This year’s event feels the closest to normal, she added.

“To have everyone here in person, and the food, and people being able to connect in the community again, that’s what I think we missed so much of,” Reynolds said. “This has such a better feel, even this year, because we missed a lot of those connections for so long.”

The art show will remain in the lobby of the Cranberry municipal building for a month, Rattay said.

“The public is welcome to come and view the art,” Rattay said. “It will be up through the summer.”

At the event, visitors were invited to contribute to a collaborative art project by stamping their thumb on a piece of paper and drawing a person around the shape. The art show also included an in-progress sculpture by AJ Howland of Twisted Iron Fabrication, which will later be installed along with other sculptures in the renovated Kings Castle playground in the township.

Proceeds from tickets to the Martinis with Monet event, along with proceeds from Community Days as a whole, will benefit the renovations as part of CTCC’s annual project.