Greensburg, Latrobe art centers celebrate shared mission in joint show

Greensburg and Latrobe art centers will celebrate their collective mission of promoting art and artists across Westmoreland County with the annual joint exhibition, “Art Neighbors.”

Featuring works by members of both organizations, the show will run from Thursday through July 31 in the Latrobe Art Center, 819 Ligonier St.

An opening reception and awards presentation is planned for 5-7 p.m. July 8.

“Working on ‘Art Neighbors’ for its third year has been a great joy. I am member at both centers and really enjoy watching the two centers unify for this event,” said artist Sarah Hunter, one of the show organizers. “It’s great for the artists in the area to see the wide range of opportunities both centers can offer them.

“I really feel we are opening a door to a stronger future for the arts in the community by having this show,” she said.

“Both Latrobe and Greensburg Art Centers actively share art, host classes and workshops, and strive to promote art education throughout their respective local communities,” said LAC Executive Director Michael Tusay.

The exhibition features about 106 pieces by 57 artists, he said.

“The only overarching theme is unity, as this show is focused on the two centers working together,” Hunter said. “Any medium is welcome. I expect we will see a range of 2D and 3D work.”

“This collaborative exhibition was developed in 2019 by a small group of local artists who recognized the overlap in active artists at both art centers and the shared goals of the organizations,” according to a release. “The result of that realization was the creation of a collaborative exhibition to celebrate the many similarities between both art centers and showcase the talents of the local artists who call Latrobe Art Center and Greensburg Art Center home.

“Exhibiting artists in the ‘Art Neighbors: Latrobe Art Center/Greensburg Art Center Joint Exhibition’ are a mix of current gallery participants at Latrobe Art Center and members at Greensburg Art Center,” the release said.

The centers take turns hosting the exhibition in alternating years.

Awards will be announced during the free, public reception, which will feature beverages and food from Ricolita’s Cafe inside the center. Award categories include best in show; first, second and third place; and honorable mentions.

Award-winners will be judged by Adrienne Heinrich, a Murrysville-based sculptor, painter and installation artist. Her work is represented in the permanent collections of the Carnegie Museum of Art, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Heinz Endowments, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art and the Contemporary Museum of Montecatini, Italy.

Heinrich was the 2002 Pittsburgh Artist of the Year and 2016 Touchstone Center for Crafts Artist of the Year, with each honor accompanied by a solo exhibition.

Details: 724-537-7011 or latrobeartcenter.org