Every time Eileen Yeager comes across an herb or spice in a cookbook, she writes it down to investigate later.

Yeager, 75, of Murrysville, is not just interested in expanding her cooking repertoire. She translates her knowledge of herbs and spices into art — which are on display at the Greensburg-Hempfield Area Library.

“World of Herbs” will be the second exhibit launched by the Greensburg Art Center this month, following “Fusion of Six” — an exhibit by six artists.

Yeager’s exhibit is part of the art center’s regular “Picture This” series at the library. It will be available for public viewing through April 27.

Yeager is well-versed on the topic. She knows that Scottish cooking often uses ginger, tarragon and traditional French herbs. In every cook book she has read, Polish recipes call for flat Italian parsley.

“The curly stuff just doesn’t cut it,” Yeager said.

She has researched countries’ herbs and spices since 1994, traveling to herb gardens in Australia, the British Isles, New Zealand, Canada and Mexico to witness the plants up close in their natural habitat.

Her art often incorporates the plants themselves. Yeager gathers herbs and spices native to a particular country, arranging them in a bouquet. She covers the bouquet in ink — assigning a color of the country’s flag to each plant — before transferring the design to paper.

“There’s dominant herbs that everyone seems to use in their cooking,” she said. “It’s very interesting how each country is different.”

She has also made bouquets out of spice mixes, such as pumpkin pie spice and chili powder. Yeager has even branched into quilting, etching bouquets into fabric.

Her exhibit features about 30 pieces which will be divided into four main categories — European, Mediterranean, Asian and American.

“Her work is exquisite,” said Rose Sovyak, chairperson of the art center. “It represents a whole lot of research as well as talent on the part of what she does with the (herbs and spices).”

For Yeager, it’s all about the history of the plants.

“How did this (herb or spice) get there? Why did they start to love it? And why do they use it and why did they stop using it? I guess just questions about everything,” she said.

Yeager is one of 12 siblings raised by a “Betty Crocker mom,” she said. Her research has helped her learn about different types of cooking she was not exposed to growing up — including the favorite recipes of her Croatian mother-in-law.

“Each country has a special flavor group,” she said. “It’s always interesting.”

“Fusion of Six”

The art center, located in Hempfield, is also showcasing pottery, stained glass, woodwork, resin, watercolor, and oil and acrylic paintings made by six of its members.

An opening reception was held March 10 for the “Fusion of Six” exhibit, which features the work of artists Tami Krusper, Patty Frye, Georgetta Osorio, Mary Yeager and siblings Alli and Will Vega. It will be on display at the art center until April 12.

Each artist is showcasing 12 to 15 pieces of various mediums, said Mary Yeager, unrelated to Eileen Yeager.

“That’s why we called it ‘Fusion; — because we have such a wide variety of styles and products,” said Mary Yeager, 64, of Scottdale.

Most of the pieces are available for purchase, she said, including her own oil paintings, pottery and stained glass pieces.

Mary Yeager and Krusper, 63, of Jeannette, hosted an exhibit at the Greensburg-Hempfield Area Library about five years ago. In 2021 and 2022, the two organized shows at the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center with Will Vega, 43 of Hempfield, and Alli Vega, 36, of Forward.

This is their first year collaborating with Frye, 67, of Jeannette, and Osorio, 77, of Murrysville.

Krusper is displaying watercolor paintings, jewelry, magnets and cards, and Frye is showcasing her acrylic paintings and pencil drawings.

Osorio’s acrylic paintings are also on display. She and Alli Vega both made resin pieces for the exhibit, and Will Vega made oil and acrylic paintings and woodwork.

“They’re just amazing,” Sovyak said of the six artists. “Everytime I look at things, I wonder how people get so inspired and take their imaginations and put them in reality. It’s just beautiful stuff.”

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