Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Presents the 107th Annual Exhibition Hosted by The Westmoreland Museum of American Art and Seton Hill University
GREENSBURG, Pennsylvania (Sept. 18, 2019) – Associated Artists of Pittsburgh’s 107th Annual Exhibition will be held at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, with an additional four installations at the Seton Hill University Arts Center, also located in Greensburg. Showcasing work from some of the most esteemed contemporary artists in the region, the 107th Annual Exhibition will be on display in the Museum’s Cantilever Gallery and the Arts Center Nov. 9, 2019 through Jan. 26, 2020.
The Associated Artists of Pittsburgh (AAP) is the oldest continuous-exhibiting artist member organization in the country. The annual exhibition has highlighted the work of AAP’s members, currently numbering more than 530, since the organization’s founding in 1910.
Serving as juror for the upcoming Exhibition is Juana Williams, Exhibitions Curator at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A specialist in contemporary African American art, she has curated exhibitions for both private and public institutions and has held positions at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, the Detroit Institute for the Arts, and Wayne State University. Most recently, she served as juror for ArtPrize’s 2018 Contemporary Black Art Award.
“I’m looking forward to playing a role in the continued legacy of such a significant arts organization, viewing the works of the many artists AAP serves, forming relationships with Pittsburgh artists, and bridging the gap between Pittsburgh and Grand Rapids,” says Williams.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with AAP on this exhibition of work showcasing the rich talent in our region,” says Anne Kraybill, the Richard M. Scaife Director and CEO of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. “With Juana Williams as juror, visitors will have the opportunity to experience and celebrate the diversity of inspiration, medium and subject matter that local artists have created.”
The Westmoreland is Western Pennsylvania’s only museum dedicated to American art. Founded in 1959, the Museum offers a place to share compelling and meaningful cultural experiences that open the door to new ideas, perspectives and possibilities. The Museum’s Cantilever Gallery, the site of the 107th Annual Exhibition, is a recent addition from its 2015 renovation.
“The Westmoreland Museum of American Art has long been a proponent of regional artists and their work,” says AAP Executive Director Madeline Gent. “I could not be happier to be returning to the Museum and for the opportunity to host an Annual in the beautiful Cantilever Gallery. Moreover, the Museum has been incredibly receptive to helping us introduce a strong and emerging curatorial voice. I think Juana and the curatorial staff at the Museum are going to put together an amazing show.”
“The roster of artists selected for the 107th Annual offers a broad range of approaches to both subject and medium,” says Chief Curator of The Westmoreland Barbara Jones. “Unfamiliar with the work of a number of these artists, I am excited to get to know more about them and see their work in person.”
The 107th Annual features 53 artists who work and live throughout western Pennsylvania, including Canonsburg, Carnegie, Erie, Fairview, Gibsonia, Girard, Glenshaw, Greensburg, Grove City, Indiana, Johnstown, Mercer, Millvale, Murrysville, Pittsburgh, Sewickley, Slippery Rock, Trafford, and Wilkinsburg.
Admission to The Westmoreland is free, and the AAP Annual Exhibition is open to the public. More information about the exhibition and accompanying programming will be available closer to the opening. For more information, call the Museum at (724) 837-1500, or visit thewestmoreland.org.
The Westmoreland’s hours:
- Wed. – Fri.: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Sat. – Sun.: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Mon. – Tues.: closed (except for scheduled school groups and partner programs)
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About Associated Artists of Pittsburgh: The Associated Artists of Pittsburgh (AAP) is the oldest continuous-exhibiting artist member organization in the country. At over 530 members, AAP enhances the region’s cultural vitality and promotes visual arts excellence by showcasing artists’ work through contemporary exhibitions, providing community-based education programs, and facilitating a broad dialogue to engage artists with one another and the community. The Annual Exhibition showcases the recent work of Pittsburgh artists and has remained a signature event of AAP’s exhibition season since the organization’s founding in 1910.
About Juana Williams: Juana Williams is Exhibitions Curator at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA). She earned her M.A. in Art History and B.A. in Studio Art from Wayne State University. Prior to her position at UICA, Juana held positions at the Detroit Institute for the Arts, Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, and Wayne State University. A specialist in contemporary African American Art, she has curated extensively for both private and public institutions. Most recently, she served as juror for ArtPrize’s 2018 Contemporary Black Art Award. Her forthcoming curatorial project at the UICA, Breaching the Margins, examines the ideas that work against the social exclusion of marginalized groups – be it in culture, spaces, or society – and how art can be an active force that supersedes societal relegations, and a catalyst to give power to groups who were formerly powerless.
About The Westmoreland Museum of American Art: Western Pennsylvania’s only museum dedicated to American art, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, is a place to share meaningful cultural experiences that open the door to new ideas, perspectives and possibilities. The Westmoreland’s extraordinary permanent collection, with its strong focus on the art and artists of southwestern Pennsylvania, is complemented by an impressive schedule of temporary exhibitions— both nationally traveling exhibitions and those organized by the Museum—as well as community-oriented programming and special events. More information is available at thewestmoreland.org and on the Museum’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram profiles.
About Seton Hill Arts Center: Seton Hill University’s Arts Center opened in 2015 and since then has been a home to art exhibits, dance performances, classes, workshops, and special events. The award-winning Arts Center boasts multiple arts studios (sculpture, graphic design, metalsmithing, clay, photography, printmaking, drawing and painting); performance spaces; and a foundry and welding facilities. The Arts Center also contains the Art Yard, Harlan Gallery and Jodee Harris Gallery that exhibit student work and host exhibitions by professional artists. The Seton Hill Arts Center is located at 205 West Otterman Street, Greensburg, Pa. 15601, and is about a half mile from the Museum in downtown Greensburg.
PRESS CONTACTS:
Liz Fetchin
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
724/612-9921
liz@elmink.com
Madeline Gent
Executive Director
Associated Artists of Pittsburgh
412/361-1370
madeline@aapgh.org