3/25/2024 6:54:11 PM
Spring has arrived here in Pittsburgh. The daffodils and construction cones are in full bloom. Have you seen any robins yet? I did on a warm sunny day, then it snowed the next day. Yeah, that’s our crazy weather here.
So before diving into some artsy stuff, I want to start off with some good news on the late Timothy Kelley situation that I mentioned in the last post. A family member has agreed to be the estate’s administrator and all of the legalities have been sorted out. His artistic legacy has been preserved for his son. Thank you to everyone who has stepped up and helped this family through such a sudden tragedy. The family is beyond grateful for the support of the Pittsburgh arts community and the community at large.
Art Related Events to Start Off Springtime
When it comes to art events in Pittsburgh, you have a wide variety to choose from. There’s no shortage of events, exhibitions, and festivals. It runs the full gamut of small, intimate pop-ups and art/community markets, to large scale museum exhibitions and festivals with everything else in-between. So find those comfy walking shoes and make some plans to enjoy the hunt for new artwork to elevate your space, and have fun too!
Art All Night 2024
https://www.artallnight.org/
This very popular art event is the big kickoff to the spring and summer art festival season. It used to be held in the heat of summer, but thankfully it changed to April. It’s family-friendly with a section set aside for artworks not suitable for family viewing. There are creative activities for kids of all ages too.
This year it will be held at the Crucible Building located at 3011 Smallman St. in the Strip District, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 (beside the 31st St. Bridge), Pittsburgh. The dates are April 27 at 4pm until 2pm on April 28, 2024.
The building itself is a completely renovated industrial structure that was part of the Crucible Steel Company which had a full-scale steel mill in Midland, PA (Beaver County). It is now leased for offices with full contemporary amenities. From what I saw on their website, they did a beautiful job of incorporating the old and new while preserving the integrity of the historical building. As an architecture and history buff, I can’t wait to see it myself!
The festival itself is unique. There’s no cost to participate and no cost to visit. It is uncensored, meaning artists do not have to go through a judging process to have their work accepted. All work is welcome. Anyone can participate-kids, students, beginners, advanced professionals, it doesn’t matter. There are visual arts like painting and drawing, 3D works like sculpture, pottery, fiber arts, installations, performance artists many of whom perform as they walk through the crowds, music and anything else someone might bring. Check their website for updates on the visiting or on the submission process if you know someone who might like to exhibit their creation, and I encourage them to do so.
There is also live painting. Artists sign up to paint on-site so that people can watch and learn about the painting process. Then the works are auctioned off to support the festival for next year. It’s an excellent way to purchase artworks and help the cause of making art accessible to everyone.
Photo credit for both: The Crucible Building website
2023 Art All Night
Photo credit: Joann Renner
“Spring is in the Art” Jannick Wildberg Art Exhibition at Jeffrey Smith Salon Gallery
IG: @jannickwildberg, @jeffreysmithjewelry
http://www.jannickwildberg.com/
https://www.jeffreysmithsalon.com/
If you are looking for quieter surroundings to celebrate Spring with, then check out this solo exhibition for Jannick Wildberg. She is a French painter now living in Pittsburgh who specializes in absolutely amazing portraits and nature subjects. She considers nature and flowers as worthy of being portraits in their own right. Pittsburgh is indeed extremely fortunate to have her high quality work and her dedication to uplifting the region’s artists.
If her name sounds familiar, Jannick was one of the artists helping bring awareness to the late Tim Kelley’s estate situation.
The Opening Reception is March 24, 2024, from 5-7pm at Jeffrey Smith Salon, 5806 Bryant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (Highland Park). The show runs from March 24-May 25th. This is one not to be missed!
Photo credit: Jannick Wildberg’s IG page
And by the way, Mr. Smith is an accomplished jewelry designer, artist, curator, and hair stylist as well.
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art: Art in Bloom Exhibition
https://thewestmoreland.org/art-in-bloom/
Nothing says Spring like flowers do.
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art is featuring an exhibition that is absolutely perfect for this time of year called Art in Bloom. It is scheduled for March 21-24, 2024, and includes sculptural floral arrangements created by regional floral designers. Each work is inspired by an artwork in the museum’s collection. I apologize for the short notice on this one, as I just found out about it. It is well-worth a day trip from Pittsburgh to Greensburg in Westmoreland County to see this unusual collaboration between floral design and fine art.
No worries if you can’t make it to this exhibition. They have a well-respected collection of American Art that is a must-see, classes, lectures and events. Check out their website for all of their offerings.
Photo credit: Westmoreland Museum of Art website
The Labyrinth at Nemacolin Resort by Dorit Brauer
https://www.nemacolin.com/the-nemacolin-times/labyrinth-at-nemacolin/
https://brauerinstitute.com/the-nemacolin-labyrinth/
Dorit Brauer is a Pittsburgh-based artist specializing in holistic medicine, meditation, and so much more including classes in Ancestral Strength and Sound Baths using Tibetan singing bowls. She built a stone labyrinth at the Meditation Garden at Nemacolin Resort in the Laurel Highlands during her artist residency there. Visitors are encouraged to use it as a method for reflection, meditation and reducing stress while walking through the labyrinth.
This is something I have yet to go and see but I plan to this year. Getting outside and connecting with nature and ourselves has a significant healing effect on our mental and physical health.
Art is an essential tool for well-being and this is one way in which anyone, young and old alike, can participate and benefit from.
The Frick Pittsburgh Museums and Gardens: Vermeer, Monet, Rembrandt
https://www.thefrickpittsburgh.org/Exhibition-Vermeer-Monet-Rembrandt-Forging-the-Frick-Collections-in-Pittsburgh-and-New-York
Exhibition Dates: April 6 - July 14, 2024
If you are new to Pittsburgh, you may not be familiar with the Frick Pittsburgh located at 7227 Reynolds St., Pittsburgh, PA 15208 in the East End.
It is another must-see for newcomers and longtime residents as well. The main museum is Clayton, the Gilded Age Victorian mansion that was home to the Henry Clay Frick family before they relocated to NYC. Mr. Frick was an associate of Andrew Carnegie while they were building the steel industry here in Pittsburgh. I won’t go into the full story but it does make for fascinating reading for us history buffs.
The mansion was gifted to the city by his widow, and it is preserved as a glimpse into the life of a wealthy family c.1892. It consists of a carriage and car museum, the art museum and gardens with the home kept as it was when the family lived there. There is a café and space rentals are available. Check out their website for lots more information on all of their offerings including classes, tours, and exhibitions.
The Fricks were avid art collectors of their time, and the upcoming exhibition, “Vermeer, Monet, Rembrandt-Forging the Frick Collections in Pittsburgh and New York” highlights 36 works by these Old Masters and more such as Degas, Whistler and Titian. You can register for tickets online. I would recommend doing this in advance because they expecting a high turnout for the entire exhibition. There will also be presentations, discussions with the curators, a virtual event, free admission days, and concerts throughout the show dates.
A related event, The Frick Fête is a Gilded Age themed party to be held on June 22, 2024. More info. Is available on the website.
And while you are there, visit the gardens too. Frick Park is huge and surrounds the original property in Point Breeze. It’s perfect for walking, hiking, biking, walking the dog and simply getting some fresh air with a good stretch of the legs.
I love contemporary art with all of its vitality, diversity, and innovation, but I am also an art historian, antiques lover, and architecture nerd at heart. The mansion itself has undergone recent preservation work, and it is absolutely ready to show off these masterpieces. I can hardly wait to visit this!
Frick Park and Fern Hollow Bridge
https://www.instagram.com/johnpenastudio/
https://www.instagram.com/carin.mincemoyer/
The recently rebuilt Fern Hollow Bridge, is part of Forbes Ave. and which goes through the park, has artwork of its own. The city’s Office for Public Art and Pittsburgh artists John Peña and Carin Mincemoyer worked together with community input to incorporate art on the upper part of the bridge and an art installation below it
Peña created a history of water in the area titled “400 Million Years of Water”, which uses signs on the railings to provide historical geographic information and images about the ancient Pittsburgh River, aka the Ancestral Monongahela to present-day Fern Hollow Creek. He also created water-related images on the concrete barriers of the pedestrian walkways of the bridge.
Carin Mincemoyer created an installation on the Tranquil Trail, a popular trail below the bridge for cycling and walking titled “Trail Meander”. She built sculptural, natural shaped seats to encourage visitors to rest and connect with nature.
Art Installation by Carin Mincemoyer Art Installation by John Peña
Photo credit for both: Sean Carroll & https://www.instagram.com/carin.mincemoyer/
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: Spring Flower Show
https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/calendar/detail/spring-flower-show
One way we can reawaken our senses for Spring is to visit the annual Spring Flower Show at the Phipps Conservatory in Schenley Park, Oakland (Pittsburgh). This show at a stunning Victorian landmark is always a visual treat that is also a Spring must-see and one of the most popular events in Pittsburgh.
It runs from March 16 to April 14, 2024, and tickets are available on their website.
There are also rotating kaleidoscopes, floral sculptures, topiaries (natural sculptures made of living shrubs), an animatronic butterfly, and lots more. Nature uses brilliant bursts of color and bold shapes to create its own art to celebrate the season with us.
Going on at the same time is Tropical Forest Hawai‘i, showcasing the widely diverse flora and unique culture of Hawaii, one of Nature’s masterpieces.
Make a day of it and take it all in, maybe even finding some inspiration to elevate your garden space into your very own natural work of art! Remember that you don’t have to have a huge yard to create a garden space. Containers work perfectly fine for small spaces and apartments. Some local garden centers have classes and Phipps has a wide range of gardening and plant care classes, workshops, summer camps, and even a plant sale to help you create a natural work of art.
Photo credit: Phipps Conservatory website
The event and festival season is just getting started, helping us to shake off those winter blues. Follow this blog for so much more coming up in the next few months that you don’t want to miss! And don’t forget, summer camp signups are in full swing so I will be covering some of those options for the next post. If you have any thoughts or suggestions for art-related subjects you might like to see here, please feel free to contact Tarasa Hurley (see the business card below for contact information) or myself at [email protected].
Happy Spring!!
*Disclosure: In case anyone has been wondering, I do not receive any fees, favors or promotions from any event, artist, gallery, or venue that I write about. This is a passion project and collaboration with Tarasa Hurley, Realtor, to uplift the Pittsburgh arts community, which in turn uplifts the entire region and enriches our lives. Also, all of my writing is done by me without AI assistance. Thank you for following along this journey!
3/4/2024 9:21:11 PM
Art Display Ideas, Basic Art Care Tips, Stuff to Do, and a Very Special Plea For a Pittsburgh Artist’s Family
By Joann Renner
03/04/2024 original blog post published link: https://www.tarasa.com/blog/art-display-ideas-basic-art-care/
Before I give you some tips on taking care of your awesome art collection even if it is one piece and ways to display it, I would appreciate a moment of your time and consideration for a special fundraiser. It is for a Pittsburgh artist’s family to help them through a deeply difficult time and to preserve his legacy for his family. His name is Timothy Kelley, a member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh. He passed away suddenly at the age of 59, leaving behind a young son, Teague, whom he was devoted to. He passed just before the opening of his exhibition at the Ink Well Coffee Shop in Lawrenceville in December 2023. I never had the pleasure of meeting Tim in person. I only knew him through Facebook and Instagram, but several of my friends and colleagues knew him well as a caring and generous person, passionate about his painting, his son, and the art community in Pittsburgh.
From the Official GoFundMe Fundraiser Page (by permission of Jannick Wildberg):
“Jannick Wildberg and Sasha Phillips are organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Adrian Newhouse.
Dear Friends, Supporters, and Art Enthusiasts,
This is a heartfelt plea to preserve the legacy of a talented artist whose work has touched many lives. Our dear friend artist Timothy Kelley sadly passed away recently, leaving behind a stunning collection of paintings that represent his lifelong dedication to his passion. Unfortunately, without immediate action, there's a real risk that his artistic legacy could be lost forever.
The Situation:
Tim Kelley poured his heart and soul into his art, creating remarkable pieces that captivated viewers and sparked conversations. His creations aren't just beautiful works of art; they are a reflection of his passion, creativity, and unique perspective on the world. Sadly, there is a looming threat that his entire collection could be lost or destroyed. As of right now, the entire contents of his apartment including many of his paintings, are scheduled to go to a government dumpsite on February 10, and the entire art collection of his art studio will soon be disposed of by a storage company. In other words, his hard work is set to be treated like garbage.
Tim's relative recently stepped up to save this tragic situation and to ensure that Teague can inherit his father’s artistic legacy but needs substantial funds to intervene properly, legally and promptly.
The Urgency:
We cannot let this happen. It would be a tragedy to see Tim's paintings be taken to the dump when they have the potential to inspire future generations and to support his beloved son Teague, which is what Tim would have wanted. We have a rare opportunity to ensure that his artistic legacy lives on, but we need your help to make it happen.
Our Goal:
Our goal is simple: to raise enough funds to secure the preservation and maintenance of Tim's paintings so that they can be passed down to his son and cherished for years to come. The funds will also go to filing and legal fees for properly administering Tim’s estate. By contributing to this cause, you'll be helping to safeguard a piece of artistic history and honor the memory of a talented artist who left us way too soon.
How You Can Help:
Your donation, no matter how small, can make a world of difference. Whether it's the price of a cup of coffee or a more generous contribution, every dollar counts towards our goal. Together, we can ensure that Tim Kelley's paintings remain a lasting testament to his talent and passion, and that Tim’s son is protected in his rights.
Spread the Word:
Even if you're unable to donate, you can still support our cause by spreading the word. Share this campaign with your friends, family, and social networks, and help us reach as many people as possible. Together, we can rally support and make a positive impact on the future of Tim's artistic legacy.
Conclusion:
Thank you for taking the time to read our message and consider supporting our cause. With your help, we can ensure that Tim Kelley's paintings continue to inspire, evoke emotion, and leave a lasting imprint on the world. Let's come together to honor his memory and preserve his legacy for generations to come. With all the crazy things going on in this world, we need art to survive and inspire, not to be thrown out like garbage.
We are deeply grateful to Sasha Phillips, an incredible local attorney, for her compassionate and expeditious guidance in this tragic situation.
The Art Community of Pittsburgh and Friends of Tim Kelley.”
Update: the fundraising goal has been reached, but legal/administration fees continue and anything left will go to the family. The Pittsburgh Housing Authority has granted a one-week extension until Friday, Feb 23.
Photo credit: John Altdorfer, @j_altdorfer
If you feel called to help, here is the link to the GoFundMe page (the only official one). Even simply spreading the word is certainly appreciated by everyone involved. https://gofund.me/33a5ecf6
Are You Looking to Beat Those Winter Blues?
Here are a few things to do in the ‘Burgh while we wait for Spring to make her appearance and stay awhile:
Art Battle Pittsburgh
IG @ArtBattlePittsburghPenn
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-battle-pittsburgh-april-11-2024-tickets-807346323587
This is becoming a really popular indoor event for artists and spectators alike. The next Art Battle is scheduled for April 11, 2024 at Spirit, a music venue, bar and pizza place located at 242 51st St. in Lawrenceville. Tickets are $20, and it is 21+ for admittance.
It is a fun, live painting competition where the audience can watch the artists create paintings in 20 minutes then bid on them afterwards. It’s a totally informal way to learn about the creative process without any anxiety or fear and the artists win prizes based on voting by the audience. This would be a fun date night idea or go with friends and just have some fun. Don’t forget to get some of Spirit’s excellent pizza too, I highly recommend it!
Photo credit: Art Battle Pittsburgh Facebook page
Bottlebrush Gallery
https://bottlebrusharts.com/
The Bottlebrush Gallery is located at 539 Main St., Harmony, Pa. 16037 in one of the original historic buildings of Harmony. They have the art gallery, an antique shop on the second floor, music concerts, an open mic night, a Women’s Creative Circle meetup, and Last Dog Records, a vinyl record shop also on the second floor. They are dedicated to Buy Local by offering works by artists and artisans only from within 50 miles of Harmony.
Classes and workshops for all age groups, and event space rentals are available along with a wide range of art and fine craft types, such as fine art, fiber arts, quilts, iron work, glass and even organic dog and cat treats in the gallery area!
One class that’s coming up sounds like a lovely way to welcome Spring, and that is a Beginners Adult Watercolor class to be held March 14th , 21st , and 28th, 2024, at 6:30pm-8:30pm each evening. All skill levels are welcome, especially beginners as it is a relaxed and judgement-free class.
There is an $85 Registration fee, and all supplies are included. The instructor is Beth Slagle, member of the Cranberry Artists Network. Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beginners-adult-watercolor-class-3-evenings-tickets-842699084647
Photo credit: Bottlebrush Gallery website
A Short Guide to the Care and Display of Your Art Collection
Just as important as finding that amazing piece of artwork or works that truly elevate your space, maybe even making the neighbors a teensy bit jealous, is taking care of it and displaying it so it brings you enjoyment for many years to come.
Paintings
There are several types of paintings, such as acrylic, oils, and watercolors. Watercolors I will include with works on paper, as they require more care to display.
Acrylic and oil paintings are traditionally painted on stretched cotton canvas or linen, where the cloth is stretched taut, much like a drum, over a wooden framework. Older pieces from the early 20th century and before, were secured with tacks but now staples are used. Some artists buy their canvases already pre-made (saves time and energy), or buy the fabric, the wood stretcher bars and build it themselves. This method can be a budget saver, as sometimes a painter will cut their own wood to the desired size. It works great for custom sizes not available in stores. I have done it both ways for my own work, depending on the needs of the project.
Antique paintings were also done on wooden panels, which were easier to transport for the travelling artist. This is a very popular option now, and you can find works on cradled panels, usually either wood or Masonite (or similar material). The flat panel is braced on the back with a cradle of wood pieces on the back to keep it from warping. It makes it easy to attach a hanger and if the artist paints the sides, you don’t even have to frame it. It gives a clean, modern look that way. I’ll get to types of hangers in just a bit.
Some artists are also painting the sides of canvas paintings, either with a solid color or by extending the actual painting onto the sides. This also gives a very contemporary feel and eliminates the need for expensive framing. Large paintings can be extremely pricey to frame, and interior designers as well as the artists themselves often feel that frames can actually detract from contemporary paintings.
That being said, there is a current trend which is a wonderful compromise between the minimalist approach of no frame to a traditional frame, and that is the floater frame. These are a clean looking, often wood frame that is slightly bigger than the painting is. The painting itself is secured to an inner liner so that the sides and the full front of the painting can be seen, nothing is obscured. The painting is just as protected as in a traditional frame, giving the artwork a finished look.
Antique paintings of course were meant to be in traditional, often ornate frames, and really wouldn’t look right in anything else. If you have an antique painting that you love, it’s worth the investment to get a high quality wood frame or have the one that’s original to the piece restored to its full glory.
Painted edge of a str
Floater frames (photo credit: credit Amazon.com) Photo credit: Artrooms app
Unframed oil painting in a room setting by Joann Renner
Stretching a canvas Photo credit: Joann Renner
Types of Hangers for Paintings
The two best known types of hangers for oil and acrylic paintings are sawtooth hangers and wire hangers.
Sawtooth are used for small, lightweight, often inexpensive pieces. They usually are included with readymade frames that you can buy just about anywhere. Artists might use them for the small pieces they offer at festivals and markets.
The preferred type of hanger, certainly for medium to larger works is the wire type. When I worked as a framer many years ago, screw eyes were used on both side ends on the back and plain, braided steel picture wire was attached so the painting could be hung securely. A much better option is now used and preferred by galleries and collectors alike. That uses D-rings instead of the screw eyes, and different types of wire can be used including coated wire. This allows the painting to hang flat against the wall instead of sticking out like with screw eyes. Check with your picture framer to see what they offer if your painting doesn’t have them already.
These can be found on either framed or unframed pieces.
Sawtooth hanger Wire hanger with screw eyes
Photo credits: Joann Renner
Wire hanger with D-rings (Photo credit Joann Renner)
To clean paintings, use a dry, very soft brush like a cosmetic brush or one similar. Lightly brush off dust in gentle, regular strokes, being mindful of any raised textures. That’s it!
Works on Paper
Works on paper simply means the artwork was created on paper. That could be watercolors, pastels, drawings, prints, collage, mixed media, ink, just about anything can be on paper.
These artworks should be displayed in a sturdy frame with glass (Tip: frames are one of those things that you really do get what you pay for). Quality really should not be skimped on, especially for treasured artworks. Think of it this way: would you want to see a discount big box store T-shirt on a Vogue model?
Other than some collage and mixed media works, works on paper are framed with glass or plexiglass (and variants) to protect them from dirt, dust, and pollutants.
Mats
Traditionally works on paper have been framed using cardboard mats. These come in the cheap stuff that turns yellow over time and leaves stains on the artwork (yuck!), with varying levels of quality up to the museum quality high-end cotton rag boards. I use 100% cotton rag matboard for my works on paper.
The current trend being embraced by artists and galleries is to forego the mat and use spacers to separate the artwork from the glass. This gives a full view of the art without compromising integrity. I do this now for my pastels. Double and triple mats are out-of-style now for decorating trends, which I am happy about. They are very difficult to cut and expensive. But if your pieces are already archivally framed (meaning that all framing materials meet the appropriate standards for preservation), and you like it as is, then by all means keep it that way.
Antique Historical Print (Engraving), Archival 100% Cotton Rag Double-mat, Museum Glass,
and Traditional Gilt Wood Frame
Photo credit: Joann Renner
Framed pastel without a mat
Photo credit and artwork: Joann Renner
*Important: please display all paintings and works on paper in areas that DO NOT get direct sunlight. Sunlight will fade any artwork, and cause unstable temperature changes that will damage the work itself. Art prefers moderate temperatures and humidity levels just as we do. Use a Goldilocks approach, not too humid or dry, not too warm or cold. Restoration services are expensive, so “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” certainly applies here.
If you have kiddos around regularly, keep artwork at an adult height on the walls. Anything that can prevent a little one from being hurt trying to yank a framed piece or painting off the wall is worth doing. Yikes, that gave me shivers just thinking about it!
Sculpture and 3D Art
These will normally be displayed on pedestals or anyplace you would like, just keep in mind the safety of kiddos. Sun usually doesn’t affect most materials that 3D works are made of. Glass pieces should be kept from sudden temperature changes though as a quick shift from cold to heat will make glass crack. The same goes for pottery. When you receive a fine glass piece either through a carrier or bring it home from the place of purchase, don’t unpack it right away. Give it about an hour to adjust to the indoor temperature, then unpack it.
Use a very soft, dry, clean brush (cosmetic ones work great!) to gently dust any 3D artwork. That should be all it needs.
Spring is just around the corner. Get some rest, the busy festival season is gearing up!
This post is sponsored by Tarasa Hurley, Realtor, for all of your real estate needs.
*I don’t use AI for any of my writing or artwork, it’s all me :)
