Past Exhibitions

Stacks
September 30 – October 28, 2011

September 2011-September 2012 marks artist Romare Bearden’s centennial year. During his time he achieved recognition for his complex semiabstract collages of photographs and painted paper on canvas. The narrative structure of his work depicts African American culture, including ritual, music, and family as his predominant themes. By the 1960s Bearden was recognized as the preeminent collagist in the U.S. He is regarded as one of the most important American artists of the 20th century. Romare Bearden spent some time in Pittsburgh and went to high school at Peabody. A large part of his work was inspired by his time in Pittsburgh. Bearden also had a reputation and several endeavors to inspire and promote other African American and younger artists, namely The Studio Museum of Harlem and Cinque Gallery, both in New York City.

The show is titled Stacks based on Bearden’s reflections on the influence the smokestacks of Pittsburgh had on his work. Thinking about the idea of stacks as layers, Bearden created work in a collage aesthetic and used color and space all in stacks. Stacks also refers to artistic influence. As artists we stack ideas, techniques and environments. One artist influences another in stacks. Artists including Christiane Leach, Staycee Pearl, Blaine Siegel, and Brett Wormsley share their Bearden inspirations in various ways in this exhibition. Stacks is curated by Alisha Wormsley, a resident and teaching artist for many cultural institutions including The Romare Bearden Foundation.

My Place
September 2-23, 2011

This exhibition will present a variety of interpretations of what “My Place” may be and may mean to the artists. This could be simply the immediate environment where they live, country or city; something more intimate as their home or the identity of space, whether real or just imaginary. The artwork may also focus on expressing feelings and emotions the artist may have towards this “place.” Where am I now? What place am I longing for? In that place, will I find comfort? The artists will give the viewer an opportunity to see through their work the way that they “see” their place. This exhibition is juried by Barbara Westman.

Westman has been a resident of Pennsylvania since 2002 when she moved from Poland. She obtained her dual MFA in Fiber Art and Printmaking at The Academy of Fine Arts in Poznan, Poland. Since her arrival to the US she has been dividing her time between teaching and working on her own art. She evenly enjoys fiber art and printmaking. Westman’s interests are in textures and structures, whether natural or man-made. Her observation and interpretation of both is presented in her prints and fiber art works. Currently Barbara Westman is an Assistant Professor of Fiber Art and Printmaking at Slippery Rock University. Over the years she participated in numerous national and international art exhibits.

Pittsburgh Tattoo Works II
June 18-July 8, 2011

Back by popular demand, Sweetwater is proud to present a second Pittsburgh Tattoo Works! Juried by Don McDonald from Bodyworks Tattoo Studio (www.bodyworks-tattoo.com), the exhibition will feature new and innovative artwork from local tattoo artists that will include sculputure, oil paintings, sketches, drawings, and more. Images of body art will also be on display throughout the exhibition. NEW this year at the reception on June 18th, we will feature a "live exhibition" of body work these artists have created. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be served.

Click here to view photo's from the Pittsburgh Tattoo Works II opening reception!

MAY IS YOUTH ART MONTH AT SWEETWATER!

Life As An Artist
May 2-5, 2011

Quaker Valley 8th grade students experience what life as a professional artist is like by planning this show of their work.

Sewickley Community Juried Student Art Show
May 13- 20

This fifth annual exhibition is a chance for the community to enjoy the impressive talent of students from local Sewickley schools.

Thanks to Sweetwater's Board of Director's for sponsoring Youth Art Month!

REMNANTS Revisited
April 11-29

This exhibition is an encore presentation of selected pieces from Joyce Werwie Perry's solo exhibition at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in the fall of 2010. Images from the past collected from personal family albums are expressed through the use of oils with knives and in other cases, encaustic wax. The viewer is prompted to feel the value of the individual and to contemplate the mystery of his/her own inner spirit as well as that of others who have come and gone. The purpose of Joyce's work is to give testimony to the mark of the human soul.
You can contact Joyce and see more of her work at le Poire Fine Art Studio, 11 E Crafton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15205, 412-921-0912, www.le-poire.com.
The reception coincides with the Sewickley Spring Gallery Walk and Art Blooms.
Reception: Friday, April 29, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Sweetwater Center for the Arts

Student/Instructor Exhibition
March 4-March 25, 2011

A showcase of the rich talents of Sweetwater's students and instructors.

Who Me? Exhibition juried by Joyce Werwie Perry
February 5- February 26, 2011

This exhibition asks us to consider what art reveals about you as a person, or what kind of habits, struggles, joys, patterns, quirks or obsessions you have discovered in making art. In this self-portrait exhibition, artists were asked to enter works that are either a physical representation of themselves or any subject that strongly represents a dominant aspect of their personality. It is a chance for the artists to look inward, and possibly discover something new about themselves and give the viewer some insight into who they are.

Traveling Creatures: A Painting Exhibition by Tara Zalewsky-Nease
January 7-February 28, 2011

Traveling Creatures is a series of oil paintings based on the experiences of traveling and being a stranger
in a place. The paintings feature the apparition of a strange mitt like creature posing in front of an exotic background. These creatures are based on textile sculptures that the artist created by embroidering oven mitts into fish-like puppets. The puppets were then Photoshopped into snapshots from the artist's travels to Venice and Paris. The creatures were added to the paintings in response to the artist's question of "can anything new really be done in a place where so much art has been done there before?"
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West Hills Art League Presents: The Eclectic Works
October 15 - November 12, 2010

A wonderful blend of eclectic artwork ranging from beginner to professional and encompassing all media. Beautiful & serene, exciting & energizing, traditional & contemporary, photo-realistic & abstract, landscapes, still-life & portraits, the artists of West Hills Art League presents, The Eclectic Works!

First Fruit XIV: Come Celebrate with Me: A celebration of life, triumph, soul and creativity!
September 10 - October 9, 2010
*Featuring live music by DJ Soy Sos

This is MAVUNO's 14th annual exhibition, featuring artwork created by emerging and accomplished African American artists and artists whose work celebrates African American culture. This year's exhibition is inspired by the last two lines of the late Lucille Clifton's poem, Won't You Celebrate with Me, "Come celebrate with me the fact that everyday something has tried to kill me, and has failed!"

This exhibition is juried by Vanessa German, an award winning, multi-disciplinary artist. A performer and sculptor, German creates contemporary power figures inspired by the everyday extraordinary might of the human spirit. The theme, Come Celebrate with Me, invites artists to visually acknowledge, express and exhort the grief, pain, sorrow, triumph, and transformation of our stories. From transformation to living ritual, Come Celebrate with Me is not only a call to MAVUNO, it is a call to community, a call to the connectivity of humanity, a call to join in the recognition and celebration of hands and imagination at work- and in work, in purpose. Come Celebrate with Me is an open invitation to the eyes, to the mind and to the spirit.

This Winter Was Toooo Long
June-August

An exhibition featuring watercolor paintings by Doug Brown painted over the loooong winter.
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Pittsburgh Tattoo Works
July 11 - July 2, 2010

An exhibition featuring the artwork of Pittsburgh's professional tattoo artists. Juried by Don McDonald from Bodyworks Tattoo Studio. www.bodyworks-tattoo.com

Standing Out from the Crowd
June 11-July 2, 2010

Photography exhibition featuring images that define an object, individual or design as it stands out from others around it. This exhibition is juried by Sylvia Ehler, Education Coordinator at Silver Eye Center for Photography. Silver Eye Center for Photography is the only organization in Western Pennsylvania dedicated solely to the understanding, appreciation, education and promotion of photography as an art form and as an expressive form of visual communication. Learn more about Silver Eye at Silver Eye Center for Photography's Website.

MAY IS YOUTH ART MONTH AT SWEETWATER!
Sewickley Community Juried Student Art Show
May 1-17, 2010

This fourth annual exhibition is a chance for the community to enjoy the impressive talent of students from local Sewickley schools.

Life As An Artist
May 21-June 4, 2010

Quaker Valley 8th grade students experience what life as a professional artist is like by planning this show of their work.

Secondhand: Works by Cheron Urbanek
March & April, Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm

This is an exhibition of one local girl's international explorations and her attempts to transpire these emotions, recollections, and experiences to the public in two dimensional glimpses. These photographs and works illustrate one artist's valued experiences that a viewer can only interpret from a secondhand stand point. Each interaction between person and environment is automatically individualistic whether it is captured in a camera or summarized by pencils and pastels. Viewers are asked to allow this exhibition to conjure up their own experiences, reactions, and emotions so that they can offer a secondhand experience to another person in our ever globalizing world. Secondhand offers an intriguing assembly of artwork that not only exhibits specific experiences but also offers to ignite experience for its viewers.
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Sweetwater Celebrates 35! Exhibition
April 20-24, 2010

The Sweetwater Celebrates 35! Exhibition will showcase work created by local premier artists in Pittsburgh. All artwork on display has been donated for the auction held at Sweetwater's gala fundraising event on April 17th. Proceeds from this event will allow us to enhance our quality arts programming as well as to provide scholarships to those in need. The reception coincides with the Sewickley Spring Gallery Walk and the Village Garden Club Flower Show.

A Celebration of the Arts
March 5-25, 2010

Exhibition featuring works of art from Sewickley Academy, Neighborhood Academy and Quaker Valley School District.

Artists included: Lacey Hall, Noella Richman, Tess Raynovich, Steven Castner, Abbe Bernard, Claire Stetzer, Caroline Gensheimer, Jess Moulton, Sydney Pass, Christopher Boland, Brian Yankello, Ben Holzer, Peter Schramm, Lizz Price, Lanya Snyder, Brenda Gonzalez, Jia Ammad, Kalli Bicket, Mary Grace Gordon, Ryan Brown, Lilian Traviato, Joseph Donohue, Andrew DiNardo, Amanda Lawson, Justin Dumas, John Skinner, Shawntel Freeman, Maiyah Cross, Tamesh Windbush, Brianna Cobb, Shawn Terrell, Miles Guy, David White, and Hassan Rodrieguez.

Elevation
February 6-26, 2010

An exhibition of diverse artwork by local, national and international artists. Juried by Beth DeMont and Carol Fahmy.

Artists included: Julie Stunden, Evi Slaby, Alan DeMont, Harry Dombi, Joshua Slaby, Yoko Sekino-Bove, Rosemarie Varsanik, Beth DeMont, Glen DeMont, Carol Fahmy, Nada Farhat, Fumino Hora, Ann Labish, and Jessie Young.

Student/Instructor Exhibition
January 8-29, 2010

A fabulous showcase of the rich talent of our students and the instructors who teach them.

Appalachian Atmospheres
October 17 - November 13, 2009

Exhibition of finely crafted, functional pottery by 8 artisans exploring the effects and variations that arise in wood, salt, soda and reduction firing

Artists included: Scott Cornish, Joe Delphia, Gerry Dinnen, Joshua Floyd, Heather George, Eric Hahn, Betty Hedman, and Don Hedman.

Souls of My Sisters: Dedicated to First Lady Michelle Obama
September 4-October 10, 2009

Exhibition of works by members of the regional artist group Women of Visions, Inc. Women of Visions, Inc. began in 1981 and has grown over the years to represent a diverse sampling of artistic styles, mediums, and varied expressions of the personal, social and political experience of the African American female artist.

Artists included: JoAnne Bates, Joyce E. Baucum, Christine Bethea, Tina Williams Brewer, Elizabeth Asche Douglas, Sandra German, Tenanche Rose Golden, Mayota Hill, Marcia Jackson, LaVerne Kemp, Christiane Leach, Mary Martin, Harriette Meriwether, Adrienne Powers, Ruth Richardson, and Ruth Ward.

First Fruit XIII
September 4-October 10, 2009

13th annual exhibition of artwork by African American artists and artists whose work celebrates African American culture.

Artists included: Alex Sutlic, Ann Johnson, Brent Payne, Carol Moye, Denise Johnson, Dr. Clarence Talley, Sr., Erma Burton, Eugene Campbell, Jr., Frank Hightower, Iris M. Kirkwood, J. Martin Bey, John Hinderliter, Marlon Gist, Stacey Jackson, Terri Perpich, and Tracy L. Moore.

Magic, Alchemy & Shamanism
July 10-August 14, 2009

Artists, through absinthe spells, drug haze, spiritual callings, slight of hand and dependence on the primal forces of nature have always searched for meaning in the universe. As the theme for this exhibition, all discoveries, acient or contemporary, future or past, spiritual or mundane, are embraced as the artist pushes his or her limitations and changes led to gold. Juried by Steve Mendelson and Terry Shutko of Pittsburgh's renowned Mendelson Gallery in Shadyside.

Artists included: Amy DiMichele, Aaron M. Brown, Alex R. Sutlic, Bill Ireland, Brandon Sanderson, Christopher J. Puccini, Courtney Cullen, Cathy Kelly, Carlee Freeman, Christopher W. Weeks, Beborah McLaren, Gregoire, Jim Liedtke, Keith Ellis, Lee Brown, Lana Stephens, Meaghan Harrison, Pamela Lanza, Phil Norris, Patricia Zimmerman, Robert David, Ruthanne F. Bauerle, Ron Jesiolowski, Ronald Nigro, Sherrie Plonski, Tamara Staser-Meltzer, and Will C. White.

Recto Verso
June 5 - 30, 2009

Traditional and nontraditional handmade artist books.

Artists included: Todd Sanders, Joan Goswell, Naomi J. Falk, Shawn Watrous, Lizzy DeVita, Brigette Marshala, Suzanne Fellows, Deanna Mulye, Adam Grossi, Adrienne Rozzi, Kristen Lowe-Rebel, Courtney Druzak, M. Callen, Debra Tomson, Lauren Heller, Alam Byrne, and Patty Gallagher.

Youth Art Month
May, 2009

Annual grouping of exhibitions of student artwork

Sewickley Community Juried Student Art Show, Life as an Artist, and After School Art

Celebrate Sewickley
April 4 - 25, 2009

Art Exhibition and Auction showcasing work that celebrates our community.

Artists included: Elizabeth Asche Douglas, Doug Brown, Alan Byrne, Judy Chu, William Cook, David Cooper, Michael Creese, Beth DeMont, Frank Dininno, Pat Falbo, Patty Gallagher, Ann Guip Quillen, Bryce Hemmington, Judith Mallin Herzog, C. Keith Jones, Cathy Kelly, James Larson, Deborah McLaren, CJ Mullins, Gail Murray, Lynn Osborn, Sherrie Plonski, Nicole Sarver, Pete Schlict, Colleen Sherts, D. Zoe Shutka, Ellen Siergiej, Robert Snyder, Peter Sour, Diane Stetzer, Catherine Susko, Richard Thompson, Ron Thurston, Charlotte Tolliver, Cheron Urbanek, Germaine Watkins, Joyce Werwie Perry, Will C. White, and Danielle Worst.

The Day After Tomorrow
March 6 - 28, 2009

Contemporary ceramic sculpture influenced by science fiction and technology.

Artists included: Michael Angelotti, Vince Palacios, Eva Funderburgh, Jae Yong Kim, and Gregory Byard.

Moths to a Flame
February 5 - 28, 2009

Artwork by Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Alumni living in Pittsburgh.

Artists included: Patricia Bellan-Gillen, Cory Bonnet, Josh Connolly, Mike Budai, Nicole Catalfamo, Jen Cooney, Jonathan Schwarz, Brett Douglas Davis, Justin Dubois, Kristine R. Synowka, Mitchell Eismont, Jane Freeland Ogren, Jason Furda, Robert J. Kluz, Gene Marsh, Brigette Marshala, Cassie Staub, Teresa Martuccio, Mary Mastren-Williams, Kimberly McMahon, Sandra Mitchell Moore, Darren Myers, Ronald Nigro, April Sulkowski, and Ashley Moore.

Student/Instructor Show
January 9 - 31, 2009

A fabulous showcase of the rich talent of our students and the instructors who teach them.

Artists included: Alexander Comerci, John Comerci, Joseph Cirelli, Robert Swinkola, Joanne Seifried, Annie Comerci, Beth DeMont, Will White, Judith Herzog, David Cooper, Joyce Werwie Perry, Sam Sedory, Wendy LeMarquand, Joan Scheuring, Gianna Chenet, Monica Hietsch, Duff klaber, Duncan MacDiarmid, Deborah Day, Marian Day, Doug Brown, Cynthia Shaffer, Duane Cacali, Beth Fallen, Mauriana Vasilakis, Tiffany Vasilakis, Athan Vasilakis, Olivia Cunningham, Marie Long, Mason Zabrucky, Joshua Sacco, Eric Handovich, Lily Schweitzer, D. Zoe Shutka, Mia Mangin, Madison Mangin, Amanda Lyon, Norma Nieto, Margi Gregory, Ron Thurston, Declan Hamill, Shirley Rowley, Judy Pizzurro, Charlene Beck, Colleen Sherts, Judy Mattei, and Andrew Griesacker.

The Brij
October 17 - November 14, 2008

New abstract paintings by members of The Brij.

Artists included: Brett Douglas Davis, Mark Gualtieri, Rob Katkowski, Jen Murray, and Shawn Watrous.

First Fruit XII
September 5 - 14, 2008

12th Annual juried exhibition of artists whose work celebrates African American culture.

Artist included: John Hinderliter, Candace Hunter, Ann Johnson, Denise, Johnson, Anissa Lewis, Carol Moye, Judith Pleasant, Mona Randall, Sherry Shine, D. Zoe Shutka, Adrienne Stitt, Frank Tillman, Grant Eldridge, Stephanie Akorli, and Dean Baldwin.

Mavuno Invitational
September 12 - October 10, 2008

Curated exhibition of established African American artists in the region.

Artists included: Mayota Hill, Jim McDowell, Anire Mosley, and Monique Luck.

Figure Pittsburgh
August 2 - 27, 2008

Contemporary interpretations of the human form.

Artists included: Jamie Adams, Elizabeth Asche Douglas, Alan Byrne, Jen Cooney, Beth DeMont, Lauren Etling, Paula Garrick Klein, Christia Labrise, Gene Marsh, Darren Myers, Terri Perpich, Laurie Salopek, Robert Snyder, Nicky Snyder, Samantha Thorp, Josh Tonies, Debra Tomson, Christopher Kardambikis, Joyce Werwie Perry, D. Zoe Shutka, and Shawn Watrous.

Windows and Dreams
June 25 - July 25, 2008

Works by members of the regional artist group Digital Imagers Group.

Youth Art Month
May, 2008

Annual grouping of exhibitions of student artwork

Sewickley Community Juried Student Art Show, Life as an Artist, and After School Art

Celebrate Sewickley
April 11 - 26, 2008

Art Auction showcasing work that celebrates our community.

Artists included: Elizabeth Asche Douglas, Ruthanne Bauerle, Helen Bitaxis, Doug Brown, Gloria Correa, Sasha Kagen, Cathy Kelly, Melody Lockerman, CJ Mullins, Gail Murray, Norma Nieto, Jebby Potter, David Saint-Jacques, Laurie Salopek, Pete Schlicht, Colleen Sherts, D. Zoe Shutka, Pete Sour, Richard Thompson, Joyce Werwie Perry, Will C. White, and Douglas Wynn.

Juicy Terracotta
March 7 - April 4, 2008

Exhibition revealing the juicy nature of terra cotta clay, coinciding with NCECA 2008.

Artists included: Helen Otterson, Kari Radasch, Elizabeth Coleman, and Ayumi Horie.

Mediated
February 2 - 29, 2008

Exhibition featuring MFA work from West Virginia University.

Artists included: David Hale, Jeff Hindal, Patrick Jones, Nick LeJeune, Jen Rockage, Evan Thomas, and Emily Walley.

Student/ Instructor Show
January - 31, 2008

A fabulous showcase of the rich talent of our students and the instructors who teach them.

Artists included: Charlene Beck, George Berry, Mary Boyle, Catherine Brown, Doug Brown, Joseph Cirelli, Rose Clancey, Miriam Cortese, Olivia Cunningham, Beth DeMont, Marne Dramble, Marianne Fadden, Pat Falbo, Beth Fallon, Patty Gallagher, Cathy Gialloreto, Judith Herzog, Mayota Hill, Rosemary Hogan, Andrew Klaber, Marie Long, Duncan MacDiarmid, Geoffrey Magin, Judith A. Mattei, Deborah McLaren, Maddi McLeod, CJ Mullins, Norma Nieto, Joyce Werwie Perry, Katherine Pflugh, Judy Pillurro, Lisa Rasmussen, Autumn Redcross, Robert Rupert, Laurie Salopek, Joann Seifried, Mary Elizabeth Sensebaugh, Cynthia Shaffer, Megan Shane, D. Zoe Shutka, Brittany Smith, Patricia Stewart, Catherine Susko, Joyce Swaney, Ron Thurston, Taye Townley, Mary Jo Vajentic, Athan Vasilakis, Tiffany Vasilakis, Maurianna Vasilakis, Lisa Walton, Linda Wellner, Rives Yost, and Collette Zielinski.

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Past Exhibitions