Here's a show for the 'Ages'
The Associated Artists of Butler County will open its 75th anniversary "Art Through the Ages: A Retrospective" exhibit on Saturday with activities from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free.
During this daylong celebration, various AABC artists will demonstrate their techniques, and a variety of free children's art activities will take place, including kite making.
Light refreshments will be available throughout the day and during the official opening of the art exhibit at 7 p.m.
The exhibit features art collected from former AABC members dating as far back as the 1930s. The group held its first free art exhibit in December 1934.
"Retrospective" contains about 200 pieces of art, from traditional portraits and landscapes to more current art forms and subject matter, including numerous media types.
Renfrew artist and AABC member Bill Secunda, who just returned from placing fifth in the international ArtPrize competition in Grand Rapids, Mich., has placed his large sculpture "Big Bear" in front of The Art Center. Bill is the grand nephew of Walter Ammon, one of the AABC's co-founders, whose art is also on display.
In addition to the main exhibit, two memorial displays are included.
In the Mezzanine Gallery, Aryl Bashline is hosting a display of artwork by her late father, Jimmy Bashline, who was known for his miniature, hand carved "Jay Bee Circus" now on display at the Butler County Heritage Center.
He was a longtime member of the AABC. The memorial display includes both paintings and wood carvings.
In the Members Gallery, Bruce MacDonald of Slippery Rock is displaying a wide variety of art by his late wife, Jackie Uytenbogaart.This exhibit includes three dimensional fabric art, jewelry, pencil sketches, and colored pen and pencil graphic designs. Uytenbogaart was the AABC's first executive director. Her artwork has never before been displayed at The Art Center.The exhibit continues through Nov. 6 during regular gallery hours: noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays at The Art Center, 344 S. Main St.Other upcoming events at The Art Center include "The Art of Horror" exhibit, opening Oct. 23; the annual holiday show and sale, opening Nov. 20, with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m.; and a holiday fashion show on Dec. 12. A Cold Winter, Hot Jazz Music & Arts Festival is planned for January.More information is available by calling 724-283-6922 or visiting www.TheArtCenterButlerPA.org or www.ButlerArtCenter.net.
