November 9, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, please contact:
Travis Mearns, Public Relations Coordinator

(724) 238-6015

SAMA CELEBRATES AREA’S ARTISTS WITH BIENNIAL 2006

            Loretto – The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Loretto is pleased to announce the opening of Biennial 2006, a juried exhibition occurring every two years that highlights the very best in local artistic talent. The exhibition, which opens November 17 and will remain on view through February 4, features 80 works from 60 artists from throughout Central and Western Pennsylvania. SAMA’s Biennial is considered to be the top exhibition for contemporary local artists, and this year features works in photography, painting, sculpture, lithograph, ceramics and watercolor, among many other media.

            Artists’ submissions were judged by Howard Bossen, professor at the Michigan State University School of Journalism. Bossen, who received both his M.A. and Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, teaches several courses dealing with graphic design, photojournalism, and the history of photography, among others.

            Award judging was done by Ken Howie, professional photographer and owner of Ken Howie Studios in Tempe, Ariz. He received an education in fine art, photography and multimedia through Moorehead State University and Colorado Institute of Art, and is nationally-recognized for award-winning visuals created for advertising agencies, design firms and large corporations. By combining state-of-the-art technology with the fundamentals of conventional fine art photography, Howie is considered an industry leader in digital imaging production.

            “The submissions are refreshing examples of a creative group avoiding the trend to create purposefully unpleasant and angry art,” said Howie. “I appreciate the artist who learns the skills surrounding the chosen media and creates on purpose with a high percentage of aesthetic success. The artists of this exhibit are conceptualists of their own trends.”

            Kurt Bonello of Everett was awarded Best of Show for his steel sculpture, Flowing Form. First place awards were given to Stephen Tuttle of Warriors Mark for Best of Crafts, Cazia Bradley of Port Matilda for Best of Drawing, Robin Grass of Everett for Best of Painting, James Richey of Johnstown for Best of Photography, and Thomas Bichko of Johnstown for Best of Sculpture.

            The Museum will hold a reception celebrating the exhibition on Friday, December 8. The reception will begin at 6:30 p.m., with awards presentation to follow. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served in the Museum gallery. Cost is $25 per person or $20 for Museum members and Biennial participating artists. Reservations are required by December 4 and can be made by calling the Museum at (814) 472-3920.

            The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Loretto is located on the campus of Saint Francis University. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. weekends. The Museum is open to the public free of charge. For more information, call the Museum or visit www.sama-art.org.