November 16, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, please contact:
Barbara Hollander, SAMA-Altoona Coordinator

(814) 946-4464

Travis Mearns, Public Relations Coordinator

(724) 238-6015

SAMA-LIGONIER VALLEY CELEBRATES LOCAL ART WITH SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS ANNUAL EXHIBITION

             Ligonier – The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley is pleased to once again be the host site for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Council for the Arts Annual Regional Juried Exhibition. This year’s exhibition marks the group’s 11^th annual showing. On view from December 1 through February 25, the exhibition features 76 works in a variety of media created by many of the region’s most acclaimed and talented artists.

            The Museum will host an opening reception for the exhibition on Saturday, December 2. The reception begins at 6 p.m., and announcement and presentation of awards will be made later in the evening. The reception is open to the public free of charge, but reservations are required by November 29 and can be made by calling the Museum at (724) 238-6015.

            The Council’s 11^th Annual Exhibition includes work in media such as watercolor, bronze, oil, acrylic, photography, clay, wood and steel, among many others. Artists from the SWPCA’s 19 county service region - Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Clarion, Clearfield, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Venango, Washington and Westmoreland counties - contributed to make this one of the Council’s strongest showings ever. The Council held its first exhibition in 1996 in an effort to promote and support visual artists living within Southwestern Pennsylvania. Since then, the exhibition has come to be known for its freshness and energy in the art of emerging artists, and for the dazzling presentations of established artists who are developing a new direction with their art.

            “This exhibition celebrates the diversity and range of artistic expression in the region, and is always greatly anticipated by the viewing public,” said SAMA-Ligonier Valley Coordinator, Janet Bucciarelli. “Whatever your artistic preferences, you will find something to satisfy your taste. From the whimsical clay sculpture of Nora Thompson, titled Shirt Box, to the stark elegance of Charles Pitcher’s watercolor, Mountain Cats, or Paul Sirofchuck’s exquisitely finished Rolling Desk Chair, this is an exhibition to savor and enjoy.”

            Serving as juror for the exhibition was artist and instructor, William Mammarella. Mammarella has taught at the college level for more than 10 years at Rutgers University and the University of Delaware, and is currently on the faculty of the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in Lancaster. He has won numerous awards for his artwork and has been exhibited extensively in both solo and group shows.

            The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art has made a long-standing commitment to supporting and promoting local artists. Each of the Museum’s four facilities exhibit local artists on a regular basis. In addition to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Council for the Arts exhibition, the Allied Artists of Johnstown and Art in Common exhibit annually at SAMA’s Johnstown and Altoona facilities, respectively. Every two years, the Loretto facility hosts the Biennial, an exhibition of the area’s top artists which is currently on view through February 4. Young artists also are showcased with the Artists of the 21^st Century student art exhibitions, held every spring at the Ligonier Valley and Loretto museums.

            The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley is located at One Boucher Lane and Route 711 South in Ligonier. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. weekends. The Museum is a handicapped-accessible facility and is open to the public free of charge. For more information, call the Museum or visit www.sama-art.org.