The Westmoreland Society to Honor 2015 Distinguished Gold Medal Recipients Charles H. Booth, Jr. and Vanessa German at Annual Dinner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Claire Ertl
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
724.837.1500 x128
certl@thewestmoreland.org


Vanessa German (b. 1976), Parade to the Baptism, 2013, Mixed Media,
51 x 44 x 14 inches, Museum Purchase, 2014.3
GREENSBURG, PA, November 24, 2015 – On Friday, December 4, members of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art’s Westmoreland Society will attend an annual dinner event to honor the Society’s recipients of this year’s Distinguished Gold Medal Award – long-time Museum supporter Charles H. Booth, Jr. and artist Vanessa German. The Distinguished Gold Medal Award recognizes individuals in the art world making significant contributions to American art. Booth, who is a member of the Museum’s Board of Trustees, was selected for the award based on his long-time dedication to the promotion of regional artists, both contemporary and historical. A self-taught Pittsburgh-area artist, German creates mixed media sculpture and was selected by the Society in recognition of her strong artistic vision, her work with children and the arts, and to celebrate an important piece by her entering the collection. Additionally at the dinner event, the members of the Westmoreland Society will vote to decide on a work of art they will purchase to add to the Museum’s collection. Chief Curator Barbara Jones will present three works for the vote. Acquiring a new work for the Museum is an annual contribution of the Society. The Society accumulated their funds over a several year period in order to commission a work by kinetic sculptor Tim Prentice last year. The work, titled Windframe, now adorns the west wing of the newly renovated and expanded Museum’s exterior façade.
About The Westmoreland Society
Founded in 1986, The Westmoreland Society is a special group affiliated with The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. The Society has a two-fold purpose. Members raise funds through their donations to purchase a work of art each year for the Museum, and they honor figures in the art world making significant contributions to American art, including donors, collectors, artists, critics, art historians and museum professionals, by awarding the Distinguished Gold Medal of The Westmoreland Society.
About The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, located at 221 N. Main Street in Greensburg, PA, recently completed a major renovation and expansion with its grand reopening having taken place on October 24 and 25, 2015. The Westmoreland’s collections include works by major American artists from four centuries, including its newest collection of post-1950 artwork. As part of a multi-year business plan tied to the renovation and expansion project, the Museum launched Imagine What’s Possible: The Westmoreland Capital and Endowment Campaign. To date, over $28 million has been raised towards the $38 million campaign goal. More information is available at thewestmoreland.org.
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