FEBRUARY–MAY | 2024
Director’s Welcome Dear Friends, I am deeply honored to address you for the first time as Director and CEO of our beloved Museum. In the few short months that I’ve had the privilege to serve in this role, I have been overwhelmed by how welcoming everyone has been. Your support and enthusiasm have been truly heartwarming, and it fills me with pride to be a part of such a vibrant community. This year marks a particularly special milestone, as we celebrate the 65th anniversary of our Museum. Reflecting on our rich history, I am struck by how far we have come and the profound impact we have had on our community. To commemorate this significant occasion, we have planned a spectacular exhibition opening in February. It will showcase some of the finest artworks from our collection, as well as pieces that have been off view for a while or rarely exhibited. This exhibition will be a celebration of our past, a recognition of our present, and an opportunity to consider our future. I am also delighted to announce the return of Art in Bloom in March after a long hiatus. Our galleries will once again be transformed with floral arrangements inspired by our collection. This event beautifully underscores the unique relationship between art and nature, where the natural world finds expression through the lens of creativity. In further exciting news, we have been awarded a generous grant from Art Bridges Foundation's Access for All program, which marks the start of a new chapter for the Museum. With this grant, we will
be able to expand our program offerings and to open doors to families, younger generations, and diverse audiences who seek inspiration and enrichment through art. Together with local partners, artists, and vendors, we will co-create vibrant programs that engage and strengthen our community, fostering a deeper connection with art among Westmoreland County residents and beyond. Examples of these Access for All programs include the MLK Day Open House (January), Sunday Fun Day: Art in Bloom (March), and a celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May). There will be more to come throughout the year, offering a diverse array of engaging and inclusive experiences for all. I look forward to the journey ahead as we continue to grow and evolve. I am filled with enthusiasm and gratitude for the opportunity to lead this institution and for your continued support. The success of our Museum has always been a collective effort, and together, we will ensure that its legacy continues to enrich our lives for many more years to come. Sincerely,
Silvia Filippini-Fantoni, PhD The Richard M. Scaife Director/CEO
opposite page Will Wilson, Andy Everson, Artist, Citizen of the K'omoks First Nation, 2017. Acrylic faced LightJet print from wet plate collodion scan, 50 x 40 in. Gift of the William W. Jamison II Art Acquisition Fund
65 ARTISTS, 65 YEARS AN ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION February 11–September 8, 2024 In 2024, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art celebrates the 65th anniversary of officially opening its doors to the public. Originally established through the generous bequest of Mary Marchand Woods, a Greensburg resident with a vision for her community, the Museum serves as an enduring symbol of and catalyst for arts and culture in the region and beyond. An experimental, responsive, and self-reflective take on The Westmoreland’s permanent collection, 65 Artists, 65 Years: An Anniversary Exhibition presents artworks from well-known artists such as Mary Cassatt, John Kane, and Thaddeus Mosley, as well as lesser-known figures such as Alex Fletcher and Elijah Pierce. Organized as a timeline with thematic interludes, the exhibition starts with a retrospective look at the Museum’s inaugural exhibition, 250 Years of Art in Pennsylvania, which presented some of the first artworks acquired for the collection. Sections that follow address key moments in the Museum’s story, such as the acquisition of groupings of deep holdings—multiple artworks by a single artist that provide insight into their development and body of work. For example, The Westmoreland has nearly fifty artworks each by path-breaking women artists Dorothy Lauer Davids and Rachel McClelland Sutton. The exhibition also celebrates the pivotal role played by transformative gifts of art in defining the Museum’s identity and fostering its growth. Whether arriving at the Museum as purchases, gifts from remarkable collectors, or gifts from artists, such artworks have meant so much to generations of visitors. In one instance in 2008, with the acquisition of more than 200 fraktur gathered by area residents Joy and David Brocklebank, The Westmoreland became home to the most historically significant examples of this tradition in
the country, preserving the stories of countless early Pennsylvanians from all walks of life. Throughout the decades, exhibitions and programming explored the interplay between artistic categories within American art, such as “regional” and “national,” and “fine” and “folk” arts. 65 Artists, 65 Years addresses such moments, upending traditional categories and allowing for new narratives, juxtapositions, and conversations. By placing modern artists like Ben Shahn and Robert Gwathmey alongside self-taught traditions like Ammi Phillips’s portraiture or the numerous contributions of once-known folk artists, the exhibition highlights evolving ideas about American identity and national character in art.
thewestmoreland.org / 1
And finally, the exhibition ends with the importance of artist and community voices in shaping The Westmoreland’s path forward. 65 Artists, 65 Years provides a platform for community engagement, where individuals connected to The Westmoreland will share their stories of the Museum and visions for its future. At 65 years, the Museum is thinking about its role and responsibility to foster conversations that will cultivate an understanding of artistic expression, illuminate the interconnectedness of American stories, and value underrepresented perspectives. We invite you to join us on this forward-looking journey, celebrating 65 years of art, culture, and community at The Westmoreland. —Jeremiah William McCarthy Chief Curator
65 Artists, 65 Years: An Anniversary Exhibition is supported by THE RICHARD C. VON HESS FOUNDATION
Here is a sampling of the community voices to be shared in 65 Artists, 65 Years.
What does the Museum mean to you?
top to bottom Tina Williams Brewer, Divine Plan (detail), 2003. Hand-pieced African and domestic fibers, 90 x 50 in. Gift of the Westmoreland Society, 2019 Dorothy Lauer Davids, Saying Grace, date unknown. Oil on board, 29 1/2 x 40 in. Gift of Robert Errett, family and friends in memory of Pam Errett
2 / February–May | 2024
I think the Museum is on such a great trajectory right now. After establishing itself, The Westmoreland, like so many institutions across the country, needed to grapple with the idea of a museum feeling insular or elitist, or not for everyone. It’s been so exciting to watch this change, particularly through the acquisitions in the last decade. They weren’t pieces the Museum has historically acquired and they show what art means to an individual or a whole community. –Linda McKenna Boxx
Exhibitions Robertshaw Gallery
The Westmoreland Collects . . . Ongoing
What are some memories that you have of the Museum? I’ve had a lot of good conversations with good friends at the Museum. It’s a place that you go and already have friends there. A lot of the people that work there have become friends. We didn't know each other before my wife and I started purchasing memberships back in 1980s and 90s. The personnel has changed over time, of course, and I've been able to make friends with the new people. Since my wife’s passing, I'm trying to keep all of the plates in the air: what she did, what I did, and what we did. But one of the places I'll stay with is the Museum, because that's for me. You know, that's my escape from all the rest of it. –Bob Errett
Collecting art through gifts and purchases is ongoing at The Westmoreland. This installation presents both well-known and recent additions to the Museum’s permanent collection of American art.
Historical Galleries
Creating Common Memory Ongoing This exhibition presents select works from the Museum’s permanent collection through Hayden Haynes’s individual perspective as a member of the Onöndowa’ga:’ (Seneca) and Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy).
Paneled Rooms
Toshiko Mori & Frank Lloyd Wright: Dialogue in Details Now extended through April 14, 2024 This exhibition highlights the dialogue between two architectural works—Wright’s 1907 Martin House, the home complex for businessman Darwin D. Martin and his family, and Mori’s 2009 Eleanor and Wilson Greatbatch Pavilion, a visitor center and interpretive gallery for guests to the Martin House historic site. Toshiko Mori & Frank Lloyd Wright: Dialogue in Details is organized by Jeremiah William McCarthy, Chief Curator, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. Support for this exhibition is provided by The Heinz Endowments and The Fine Foundation.
Special thanks to the National Academy of Design, PLANE—SITE, and the ECC-Italy.
All the Right Notes What do you see for the future of The Westmoreland? I see a lot of good things! I see that The Westmoreland is open to change, open to advancing, open to diversity. There is a hunger, a desire to want to learn about the past, learn about different cultures, and learn about different types of art. Even though this is a very conservative area, there is a group that is forging forward, slowly but surely, helping others to accept people and lifestyles, the way other people live, and know that it's not a threat to anyone. –Pamela Cooper
Opening May 1, 2024 Inspired by the long-term loan of Terry Adkins’s kinetic Native Son (Circus) and Melissa Meyer’s monumental O the Times, O the Times, O the Manners, this installation presents artworks and objects inspired by the ethereality of music. A newly acquired suite of Milt Hinton jazz photographs is on view for the first time. All the Right Notes is supported by The Heinz Endowments.
Free admission to exhibitions is generously supported by: thewestmoreland.org / 3
George Hetzel and Scalp Level On view through November 9, 2025 Throughout 2023, we were hard at work highlighting new possibilities for our collection. Last January, we opened the ongoing installation People, Places, Things, and Ideas, our new look at the Museum’s modern and contemporary collection. In the summer, we unveiled Breaking Ground: Landscape and Labor in Southwestern Pennsylvania, our refresh of the Museum’s beloved McKenna Gallery. And to close out the year, we’ve installed George Hetzel and Scalp Level. It’s currently on view in the Museum’s Freidlander Gallery, which previously presented highlights from self-taught artists. As you may know, and some may even remember, The Westmoreland hosted a George Hetzel retrospective in 1994, organized by Founding Director Dr. Paul A. Chew. The exhibition presented 73 paintings and was accompanied by a presentation that highlighted work by Hetzel’s peers and followers. It was a monumental feat, and it remains the lasting interpretation on this artist and his art historical importance. Chew, seeking to differentiate the work done at Scalp Level from paintings emerging from the Hudson River School, aligned Hetzel and the nineteenth century landscapists of Southwestern Pennsylvania with the French Barbizon School of painting—a romantic rather than nationalistic impulse. His reasons for doing so make sense in retrospect. Hetzel, trained in Europe, shares many conceptual overlaps with the Barbizon painters. Chew was building a brand for Hetzel, and the quickest way to build a brand is to contrast it with something else—in this case, the Hudson River School. Looking at Hetzel with twenty-first century eyes, we find an artist thoroughly engaged with trends and voices in American art. For example, Hetzel
consistently sent paintings to the annuals of the National Academy of Design, then the nation’s premier art exhibition in New York, and he created work in visual dialogue with prominent Hudson River painters like Asher B. Durand and realists like Thomas Eakins. This installation fleshes out the connection between Hetzel’s training in Europe, the contributions of his students, both male and female, and the ways in which their paintings contributed to modern art in the region. We hope you find much to enjoy! —Jeremiah William McCarthy, Chief Curator
George Hetzel, Paint Creek Road, 1890. Oil on canvas, 36 x 24 in. Gift of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pittsburgh, PA, from the Dorothy Kantner Estate, In memory of George and Lila B. Hetzel
4 / February–May | 2024
SPOTLIGHT: ARTIST AND MUSEUM STAFF MEMBER SCOTT HUNTER SHINING A LIGHT ON THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE WESTMORELAND If you have enjoyed taking in one of the Museum’s featured exhibitions or permanent collection installations over the past six years, you have Scott Hunter to thank. Filling the role of Preparator, a part-time position in the Collections & Exhibition Management team, Scott is the one who paints the walls, installs the works of art, and when required, even builds a forty two-foot three-sided immersive theater screen, as was the case for the Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania exhibition, which just concluded a thirteen-week run. Assisting Scott in this preparatory work is his supervisor Doug Evans, Director of Collections & Exhibition Management, and team member Rachel Harris, Assistant Collections Manager, as well as contracted art handlers. Scott is also an accomplished artist, and The Westmoreland was fortunate to acquire one of his large abstract paintings in 2017 through The Westmoreland Society yearly artwork selection process. At this group’s annual dinner event, Museum members vote on works to enter the permanent collection, with the membership dues for the Society funding the cost of the acquisitions.
top: Scott Hunter with his work, Bluffs, 2016, which is currently on view at the Museum bottom: Scott installing John Kane's St. Paul’s Church (St. Paul Cathedral), date unknown, for the Creating Common Memory permanent collection installation
Scott’s work Bluffs, 2016, was the recipient of the most votes in 2017 and was therefore selected to join the Museum’s collection. Currently, Museum visitors are being greeted by the vibrant painting as part of The Westmoreland Collects . . . , on view in the Robertshaw Gallery, which of course was expertly installed by none other than Scott Hunter. So, next time you visit the Museum, be sure to think about all of Scott's hard work behind the scenes to make what's on view a reality! Learn more about Scott’s artistic practice at his website scotthunterfineart.com.
Art in Bloom returns to The Westmoreland! After a long hiatus, the Museum is thrilled to welcome back Art in Bloom. This exciting program, taking place from March 21–24, 2024, invites art and nature lovers to experience the magic of artistic floral interpretation. With an admission fee of $10 for the public (free for members), Art in Bloom offers a unique opportunity to engage with art in a different way. During these four days, attendees can enjoy floral compositions created by talented florists and floral designers from our region and inspired by works in the Museum’s collection. These will provide wonderful photo opportunities for visitors, allowing guests to capture the colorful combination of art and nature. Excitement further builds with awards like People's Choice and Director's Choice, which celebrate the most outstanding floral displays. During Art in Bloom, the Museum will also offer a series of engaging programs, ensuring a fun and multifaceted experience for visitors of all ages. For more information on these events, see pages 11–12 or visit thewestmoreland.org/ArtinBloom
March 21–24, 2024 Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 10am–5pm
Friday
10am–8pm FREE member/$10 non-member Free for all on Sunday, March 24
Art in Bloom is supported by The Committee for The Westmoreland. Image courtesy of North Carolina Museum of Art.
6 / February–May | 2024
THE WESTMORELAND FOR ALL Art Bridges Foundation’s Newly Launched Nationwide ‘Access for All’ Initiative provides funding for upcoming programs at the Museum The Westmoreland was selected as one of 64 museums nationwide by Art Bridges Foundation, the national arts nonprofit founded by philanthropist Alice Walton, for the newly launched Access for All initiative. Providing $40 million in funding to institutions that span 36 states and Puerto Rico, the initiative aims to increase access to museums across the country and foster engagement with local communities by covering the costs of free admission days and expanded free hours as well as programming, outreach, and community partnerships that together, will eliminate many common barriers to access. Art Bridges Foundation's Access for All program represents a sweeping effort to get people back to museums after COVID-19 brought declines in revenue, staffing, and attendance. With many museums, including The Westmoreland, seeing just seventy percent of their pre-pandemic attendance, the new initiative will aim to restore pre-pandemic levels – and open opportunities for all people to enjoy American art by reducing barriers to access and strengthening community relationships. Through this initiative, The Westmoreland will receive $280,000 in funding over three years to put towards programming and marketing efforts for community days, including Sunday Fun Day: I Heart Art on Sunday, February 4, along with eleven other community day programs throughout 2024. Since 2019, the Museum has additionally received over $284,000 in generous funding for its exhibition and public programming from Art Bridges Foundation, as well as important artwork loans from the foundation’s renowned collection of American Art. Currently, the Museum has two loans on view from the Foundation: Henry Koerner, The Pigeons, 1948-49. Oil on board, Art Bridges; and Barkley L. Hendricks, Father, Son, and . . . , 1989. Oil and acrylic on canvas, Art Bridges.
thewestmoreland.org / 7
UPCOMING EVENTS AT A GLANCE FEBRUARY
MARCH (cont.)
•
•
• • • • • • • • •
Sunday Fun Day: I Heart Art! Sunday, February 4 > 10am–5pm (Programming 11am–3pm) Virtual Program: The Art of Sport Thursday, February 8 > 7–8pm 65 Artists, 65 Years Private Preview Reception Saturday, February 10 > 6–8pm Pop-Up Studio: Polymer Clay Jewelry Tuesday, February 13 > 6–8pm Jazz Concert: Kenny Blake Wednesday, February 14 > 7–9pm Art on Tap: Love Games Friday, February 16 > 7–10pm Children's Studio: Making Marionettes Sunday, February 18 > 10am–12pm Artist Tour & Happy Hour Saturday, February 24 > 3–4:30pm Teacher Workshop Wednesday, February 28 > 4:30–7pm Homeschool Day Thursday, February 29 > 10am–1pm
MARCH • • • • • • • • • •
Cocktails with Conservation Friday, March 1 > 5–7pm Jazz Concert: Kevin M. McManus & The Bone Forum Wednesday, March 13 > 7–9pm Pop Up Studio: Wet Felting Thursday, March 14 > 10am–1pm Art on Tap: Shamrocks and Shenanigans Friday, March 15 > 7–10pm Children's Studio: Rocket Man Saturday, March 16 > 10am–12pm Virtual Watch Party: Westmoreland Reads Wednesday, March 20 > 7–8:30pm Art in Bloom Thursday, March 21–Sunday, March 24 Pop-Up Studio: Flower Collage Thursday, March 21 > 11am–1pm A Closer Look: Paintings and Prosecco Thursday, March 21 > 3–4pm The Flower Bar Friday, March 22 > 6–8pm
•
Art in Bloom Tea Saturday, March 23 > 3–4pm Sunday Fun Day: Art in Bloom Sunday, March 24 > 10am–5pm (Programming 11am–3pm)
APRIL • • • • • •
Pop-Up Studio: Storytelling with Mixed Media Collage Thursday, April 4 > 10am–12pm Tales from Christies Salesrooms: An Inside Look at the Auction World Sunday, April 7 > 2–4pm Jazz Concert: Tania Grubbs Wednesday, April 10 > 7–9pm ArtsWalk 2024 Saturday, April 20 > 10am–5pm (Programming 11am–3pm) Art on Tap: Fla-Mingle Friday, April 26 > 7–10pm Children's Studio: Starry Night Saturday, April 27 > 10am–12pm
MAY • • • •
•
Legacy and Vision: A Conversation with The Westmoreland's Leaders and Artists Thursday, May 2 > 6–7:30pm Pop-Up Studio: Semi-Precious Jewelry Making Tuesday, May 7 > 5–8pm Artist Tour & Happy Hour Saturday, May 18 > 3–4:30pm Sunday Fun Day: Asian/Pacific American Heritage Sunday, May 19 > 10am–5pm (Programming 11am–3pm) Art on Tap: National Scavenger Hunt Friday, May 24 > 7–10pm
Cantilever Tours Saturdays, 1–2pm (February 17–September 7) Drop in for engaging, docent-led tours of the special exhibition in the Cantilever Gallery during the run of 65 Artists, 65 Years: An Anniversary Exhibition. FREE
Is your business interested in sponsoring an upcoming event? Please visit thewestmoreland.org/donate or contact Paige Mastrippolito at pmastrippolito@thewestmoreland.org or 724.837.1500 x117. 8 / February–May | 2024
February Sunday Fun Day
I Heart Art!
Sunday, February 4, 10am–5pm (Programming 11am–3pm) Celebrate Valentine's Day at The Westmoreland! Join us for a Teddy Bear Takeover, organized by The Committee for The Westmoreland, featuring story times and songs. Create teddy bear themed art, Valentine's cards, and make your own button for you and your teddy! FREE
Virtual Program
The Art of Sport
Thursday, February 8, 7–8pm
Pop-Up Studio
Polymer Clay Jewelry Tuesday, February 13, 6–8pm Welcome Latrobe artist Abby Cox and create fun and inspired hand-made jewelry. Polymer clay earrings are easy and fast to make, perfect for anyone interested in learning some beginner techniques. Make yourself a pair of these popular and trendy designs! $20 member/$25 non-member Advance registration is required; deadline is February 6. Event is 18+. Refreshments and materials will be provided.
Jazz at The Westmoreland
Kenny Blake
Wednesday, February 14 Concert 7–9pm, Doors and Bar Open 6pm
Inspired by Father, Son, and … by Barkley L. Hendricks, on loan from Art Bridges, hear from local artists Janel Young and Gavin Benjamin as they discuss sports-based artworks, including murals made on the court!
$20 member/$25 non-member
FREE
Love Games
Support provided by
Advance registration recommended; walk-in availability is limited.
Art on Tap
NEW HOURS!
Friday, February 16, 7–10pm
65 Artists, 65 Years Private Preview Reception Open to all Museum Members Saturday, February 10, 6–8pm Members will receive invitations to attend a special preview and reception for 65 Artists, 65 Years: An Anniversary Exhibition.
Think you know every iconic rom-com or power ballad? Grab your valentines, gal-entines, or pal-entines for a night of pop culture pub trivia, dancing, friendly competition, and a chance to win fun prizes. At 7:15pm trivia begins, then at 8:45pm the lights go down and the beats come up with live DJ. Enjoy pub inspired fare, sweet treats, a specialty cocktail menu, and surprise vendors. $12 member/$15 non-member Event is 21+. All Art on Taps feature live music, entertainment, light bites, and include one drink then cash bar after.
To register or purchase tickets for these events: • visit thewestmoreland.org/calendar • call 888.718.4253* *Please note that $1/ticket fee is added to phone orders for paid events only.
thewestmoreland.org / 9
February (cont.) Children's Studio
Making Marionettes Sunday, February 18, 10am–12pm Make a simple four-legged marionette. This craft is fun to make and fun for play as well! We will use colorful fittings and fanciful faux fur to fashion a feisty animal friend.
March For the summer of 2024, The Westmoreland will offer various weeklong art camps, for children ages 7–12 and teens ages 13–17. Registration for Summer Art Camps will open by March 1 on the Museum's website at thewestmoreland.org/artcamp Scholarships for Summer Art Camps supported by the Eugenia Gay Endsley Legacy.
$20 member/$25 non-member Advance registration is required; deadline is February 16. Designed for children ages 7-10. Materials will be provided.
Artist Tour & Happy Hour Saturday, February 24, 3–4:30pm
Think of art a different way! Led by Pittsburgh artist Tina Williams Brewer, explore the 65 Artists, 65 Years exhibition and permanent collection from an artist perspective, and gain insight from a creative in the community. Cash bar and lite bite reception following the tour. $20 member/$25 non-member A cash bar and light bite reception will follow the tour.
Teacher Workshop Wednesday, February 28, 4:30–7pm Teachers are invited to a free workshop that highlights The Westmoreland’s latest exhibition, 65 Artists, 65 Years: An Anniversary Exhibition. Together we will explore the Museum’s legacy through visual art. Eligible teachers will receive two Act 48 credits issued by the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit. FREE Advance registration is required; deadline is February 21. Teacher programs supported in part by contributions from businesses eligible for tax credits through the PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program.
Homeschool Day Thursday, February 29, 10am–1pm Homeschool students are invited to join The Westmoreland for a day filled with art making and learning. Students of all ages are welcome to explore our galleries through independently guided activities. FREE 10 / February–May | 2024
Cocktails with Conservation Friday, March 1, 5–7pm Join Director of Collections and Exhibition Management Doug Evans and The Committee for The Westmoreland for Cocktails with Conservation. Sip on a custom cocktail while you learn about the important and fascinating conservation work to preserve the Museum’s permanent collection. $35 member/$40 non-member This program is sponsored and organized by The Committee for The Westmoreland.
Jazz at The Westmoreland
Kevin M. McManus & The Bone Forum Wednesday, March 13 Concert 7–9pm, Doors and Bar Open 6pm $20 member/$25 non-member Advance registration recommended; walk-in availability is limited.
Pop-Up Studio
Wet Felting Thursday, March 14, 10am–1pm Fiber artist Mary Ellen Raneri teaches the basics of wet felting. You will learn step-by-step instructions for laying out wool, wetting, rubbing, rolling and finishing your felt to make a lovely and unique wall hanging for any room. Please be aware that this lesson is somewhat physically demanding, as you will be standing for a majority of the time. $20 member/$25 non-member Advance registration is required; deadline is March 7. Event is 18+. Refreshments and materials will be provided.
Art on Tap
NEW HOURS!
Shamrocks and Shenanigans Friday, March 15, 7–10pm It’s time again to paint the town green! Live music and performances will keep you in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit. Enjoy light bites and a themed bar, featuring specialty cocktails and lots of local (and yes, green) beer. Will you get lucky and win treasures, or be felled by the trickery of a few pesky leprechaun guests with games and giveaways? $12 member/$15 non-member Event is 21+. All Art on Taps feature live music, entertainment, light bites, and include one drink then cash bar after.
Children's Studio
Rocket Man
Saturday, March 16, 10am–12pm Zero hour 10 a.m. It’s lonely out in space—so come to the Museum for a sculpture event. Will it be Mars or the moon? Astronaut or alien? Create an out of this world 3D scene. $20 member/$25 non-member Advance registration is required; deadline is March 15. Designed for children ages 7-10. Materials will be provided.
Virtual Watch Party
Westmoreland Reads Wednesday, March 20, 7–8:30pm In partnership with Westmoreland Reads, join us for a virtual program with Clint Smith, author of this year’s community book selection How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America. Smith traveled to multiple sites across the United States and Africa to explore the history of slavery and its impact on our society today.
Pop-Up Studio
Flower Collage Thursday, March 21, 11am–1pm Collage extends beyond paper and photographs. Come and craft a stunning botanical artwork using pressed flowers and a hinged glass frame. Drawing inspiration from Art in Bloom floral compositions, let your creativity flow to create colorful abstract or representational compositions. $25 member/$35 non-member Advance registration is required; deadline is March 14. Event is 18+. Materials will be provided. Includes access to Art in Bloom.
A Closer Look
Paintings and Prosecco Thursday, March 21, 3–4pm Enjoy light bites and bubbles, and join Chief Curator Jeremiah William McCarthy for a private, close look at some of the Museum’s floral artworks. $25 member/$35 non-member Includes access to Art in Bloom.
The Flower Bar Friday, March 22, 6–8pm Join mixologists to learn about the relationship of botanicals and cocktails and try your hand at making several floral favorites. Then enjoy an afterdark party with drinks, light bites, and a guest DJ. $25 member/$35 non-member Includes access to Art in Bloom.
FREE
To register or purchase tickets for these events: • visit thewestmoreland.org/calendar • call 888.718.4253* *Please note that $1/ticket fee is added to phone orders for paid events only.
thewestmoreland.org / 11
April Pop-Up Studio
(cont.)
Art in Bloom Tea Saturday, March 23, 3–4pm Experience teatime while surrounded by blooms and blossoms. Guests will enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in a beautiful setting. A special guest florist will demonstrate the art of floral arranging. $30 member/$40 non-member Advance registration is required; deadline is March 15. Includes access to Art in Bloom.
Sunday Fun Day
Art in Bloom Sunday, March 24, 10am–5pm (Programming 11am–3pm) Celebrate the beginning of spring at the Museum with the whole family! Kids will create their own floral-inspired art and explore other fun flower-related activities and performances throughout the Museum! FREE
Storytelling with Mixed Media Collage Thursday, April 4, 10am–12pm Join artist and writer Grace Gilbert and learn how to create simple collages that use text and image in meaningful ways! Plan to bring a few artifacts to make your creation–either found images or personal artifacts. $20 member/$25 non-member Advance registration is required; deadline is March 29. Event is 18+. Refreshments and some materials will be provided.
Talk
Tales from Christie's Salesrooms Sunday, April 7, 2–4pm Experience an inside look at the auction world. Learn about collecting art with Eric Widing, Deputy Chairman and previous head of the American Paintings department at Christie's. $40 member/$50 non-member Advance registration is required; deadline is April 6. A reception with wine and lite bites will follow the lecture. This program is sponsored and organized by The Committee for The Westmoreland.
Jazz at The Westmoreland
Tania Grubbs
Wednesday, April 10 Concert 7–9pm, Doors and Bar Open 6pm To register or purchase tickets for these events: • visit thewestmoreland.org/calendar • call 888.718.4253* *Please note that $1/ticket fee is added to phone orders for paid events only.
$20 member/$25 non-member Advance registration recommended; walk-in availability is limited.
ArtsWalk 2024 Saturday, April 20, 10am–5pm (Programming 11am–3pm)
Image courtesy of North Carolina Museum of Art.
12 / February–May | 2024
The Westmoreland, along with the Westmoreland Cultural Trust and Seton Hill University, will present special programming and activities throughout the day that showcase the arts in our amazing community. FREE
Art on Tap
Fla-Mingle
NEW HOURS!
Pop-Up Studio
Semi-Precious Jewelry Making
Friday, April 26, 7–10pm
Tuesday, May 7, 5–8pm
It’s International Flamingo Day, and what better way to celebrate than with a retro pre-summer beach party! Live musicians will bring the heat, playing groovy tunes, while classic beach party movies play. Cool off with a sundae station and tiki bar drinks throughout the night.
Monique Paule Ridet will join us with semi-precious materials such as freshwater pearls, amethyst, garnet, turquoise, and glass/crystal sparkles to demonstrate basic beading technique and create classic beaded necklaces.
$12 member/$15 non-member
Advance registration is required; deadline is April 29. Event is 18+. Refreshments and materials will be provided.
Event is 21+. All Art on Taps feature live music, entertainment, light bites, and include one drink then cash bar after.
Children's Studio
Starry Night
Saturday, April 27, 10am–12pm This sculpture may be abstract but it’s sure to bring some color and light to your life! Stand back Mr. van Gogh as we make our very own starry night. Please note this may be a little messy so be sure to wear your art clothes. $20 member/$25 non-member Advance registration is required; deadline is April 26. Designed for children ages 7-10. Materials will be provided.
May
$20 member/$25 non-member
Artist Tour & Happy Hour Saturday, May 18, 3–4:30pm
Think of art a different way! Led by a local artist Richard Stoner, explore the 65 Artists, 65 Years exhibition and permanent collection from an artist perspective, and gain insight from a creative in the community. $20 member/$25 non-member A cash bar and light bite reception will follow the tour.
Sunday Fun Day
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Sunday, May 19, 10am–5pm (Programming 11am–3pm) Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage at the Museum with special performances, hands-on activities, and cultural cuisine. Fun for all ages! FREE
Panel
Legacy and Vision: A Conversation with Leaders and Artists of The Westmoreland Thursday, May 2, 6–7:30pm Reflect on 65 years of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art with past and present CEO/Directors Judith O’Toole and Silvia Filippini-Fantoni, along with artists Gavin Benjamin and Richard Stoner. FREE
Art on Tap
National Scavenger Hunt
NEW HOURS!
Friday, May 24, 7–10pm Step back in time for an escape-room style evening, taking guests on a mission through the galleries to solve mysteries. Wear your most dapper digs for photo ops throughout the night, enjoy live music and a special “shaken not stirred” martini bar, and prizes for the best investigator. $12 member/$15 non-member Event is 21+. All Art on Taps feature live music, entertainment, light bites, and include one drink then cash bar after.
THE WESTMORELAND SOCIETY 36TH ANNUAL DINNER Members of The Westmoreland Society gathered on December 1, 2023, for the 36th annual Westmoreland Society Dinner. Society members gave a very warm welcome to the Museum’s new Richard M. Scaife CEO/Director Dr. Silvia Filippini-Fantoni. Silvia spoke about the remarkable journey of The Westmoreland Society and its profound influence on the Museum’s collection over the course of the last 36 years. For voting consideration, Chief Curator Jeremiah William McCarthy presented works by two contemporary artists Sophie Glenn and Lena Wolff. The first work presented was Sophie Glenn’s sculpture Black Sheep, 2020, a corner chair crafted entirely from steel, with trompe l’oeil effect to evoke wood and a rush seat of hand-spin steel wool. The second work presented was Lena Wolff’s Full Moon Star, 2021, a piece of hand milled walnut, beech, and maple joined in a patterned marquetry and finished with wax. By popular vote of Westmoreland Society members, Black Sheep won for accession to the Museum’s permanent collection.
Society members were also celebrated for their generosity to the Museum’s general art acquisition fund that made it possible to acquire two works in 2023 including Dorothy Dehner’s Landscape with Two Suns, a large tabletop bronze from 1962, and Isabel Bishop’s portrait, Gina. 2024 will be a transformative year for elevating the visibility of important women artists. Dehner’s work will hold pride of place when the Museum’s modern and contemporary galleries are refreshed in early 2024, Bishop’s portrait will be on view during the Museum’s exhibition, The Great Search: Art in a Time of Change, 1928–1945, opening June 2024. Westmoreland Society members ended the night by generously donating $31,500 more to art acquisition adding to the more than $1.3M in contributions raised by the Society to date! To view a blog featuring photos from the Westmoreland Society 2023 Annual Dinner, visit thewestmoreland.org/blog.
Anila Agha, whose worked was acquired by the committee last year, thanked the committee through video for selecting her work at the 2022 dinner and for supporting contemporary artists like herself.
left Sophie Glenn, Black Sheep, 2020. Painted and rusted steel, hand-spun steel wool
14 / February–May | 2024
above Westmoreland Society officer Paul Nickoloff with dinner guests. from left to right Susan Tanto, George Austin, Linda Austin, Diane Nickoloff, Paul Nickoloff, Bill Kofmehl, Tom Tanto, and Elizabeth Kofmehl
Presented by
JUNE 1, 2024 You’re invited to The Westmoreland Museum of American Art’s annual fundraiser—an Artful Evening! Celebrate the Museum's 65th Anniversary with a reception and self-guided tours of wine and spirit stations throughout the galleries. Then, all will gather in the Cantilever Gallery for a special dining experience surrounded by works of art from the permanent collection featured in 65 Artists, 65 Years: An Anniversary Exhibition!
For information about sponsorship, please visit thewestmoreland.org/aAE2024 or contact Paige Mastrippolito at pmastrippolito@thewestmoreland.org or 724.837.1500 x117.
Special thanks to our early sponsors including:
thewestmoreland.org / 15
Gallery Host Violet Costello Tourism Employee of the Year In late September at West Overton Village’s Big Barn, GO Laurel Highlands, the destination marketing organization for Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland Counties, held its annual dinner with nearly 180 tourism partners in attendance. At the event, GO Laurel Highlands honored leaders in the industry with three different Champions of Tourism awards.
Tourism Employee of the Year Violet Costello (middle) of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art poses with GO Laurel Highlands Executive Director Ann Nemanic and Westmoreland County Commissioner Sean Kertes at GO Laurel Highlands annual dinner event in September 2023.
Congratulations, Violet, on this much-deserved recognition for your tremendous work!
The Westmoreland’s own Gallery Host Violet Costello was the recipient of the high honor for the evening – Tourism Employee of the Year. Violet, who has served on the Museum’s frontline team for eight years, was nominated for the award by the Museum’s senior leadership team. The nomination noted the wonderfully warm presence she brings to the galleries, welcoming all visitors and generously sharing information with them about the collection, the Museum in general, as well as other "things to do" and "places to see" in the Laurel Highlands region.
A LEGACY IN BLOOM You can leave a lasting impact through a planned gift to The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. By including the Museum in your will and estate plans, you are providing opportunities far into the future for the next generation of visitors to engage with art and celebrate their creativity. Please consider joining The Westmoreland Legacy Society. For more information and to request a brochure, please contact Rhonda Madden, Chief Advancement Officer, at rmadden@thewestmoreland.org or 724.837.1500 x130. Mary Abbott, Sudden Sun (detail), around 1958. Oil on canvas, 30 x 28 in. Gift of the Westmoreland Society, 2018
16 / February–May | 2024
Searching for a gift for someone special? Visit the Museum Shop today! The Museum Shop at The Westmoreland has a wide selection of unique gifts, many created by artisans across the United States, and a beautiful selection of greeting cards for any occasion. Stop by the Museum Shop Wednesday–Sunday from 10am–5pm and let us help you find the perfect gift! Our online store is also available at any time at thewestmoreland.org/shop
Make Your Special Event a Work of Art Choose The Westmoreland and rent the Museum for your upcoming event. Offering fully customizable wedding + event collections that allow you to seamlessly blend history, art, and celebration.
Wedding + Event Collections Celebration Collection—Hourly Event Rental Includes the Paul and Carol Evanson Community Room, perfect for various events—including corporate events, birthdays, and special gatherings Signature Collection—5-Hour Event Rental Includes the Paul and Carol Evanson Community Room and Swank Terrace, offering the perfect intimate space and panoramic view for your wedding reception, gala, fundraisers, and more Artistry Collection—All Inclusive Event Rental Provides a 6-hour full museum rental with open galleries, ceremony setup, premium bar services, and more NOW RESERVING 2024 + 2025 EVENT DATES Please visit thewestmoreland.org/event-rentals for more information. Members receive a discount on event space rentals! Photo Courtesy LaLaYeags Photography
thewestmoreland.org / 17
221 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.837.1500 thewestmoreland.org info@thewestmoreland.org Admission is free. Hours: Wednesday–Sunday: 10am–5pm Closed New Year's, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day Free admission to exhibitions is generously supported by Follow us on:
Want to stay informed with the latest news, exhibitions, and events? Visit thewestmoreland.org and subscribe to our email list.
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
United Way Designation Code: 16577660
65 ARTISTS, 65 YEARS: AN ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION
February 11–Septemer 8, 2024 65 Artists, 65 Years: An Anniversary Exhibition is supported by the Richard C. von Hess Foundation and The Heinz Endowments.
above, cover: 1959 Photograph of the Museum