November 28, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, please contact:

Tina Lehman, SAMA-Johnstown Coordinator

(814) 269-7234

Travis Mearns, Public Relations Coordinator

(724) 238-6015

SAMA-JOHNSTOWN CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

            Johnstown – In 1982, the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art first opened its doors in Johnstown. Now, 25 years later, the Museum is celebrating its silver anniversary. To do so, SAMA-Johnstown will host a cocktail party on Tuesday, December 11. The event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., and will feature several guest speakers reminiscing and recollecting on the inception of the Johnstown museum, as well as their time spent there. Cost is $15 per person, and reservations can be made by calling the Museum at (814) 269-7234.

            The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art first opened its Johnstown Extension, as it was referred to at the time, on June 27, 1982. This earliest incarnation of SAMA-Johnstown initially was located in the Central Park Commons building at 430 Main Street in Downtown Johnstown. The Johnstown Extension was made possible through the combined efforts of several prominent Johnstown businessmen who served on SAMA’s Board of Trustees. Funds to develop the project were obtained in part from a grant from the Polf Foundation, memorial donations from the friends and family of the late Mrs. Richard Pequinot Thackray, and many generous gifts from individuals in the Johnstown community. Michael M. Strueber served as SAMA’s Executive Director at the time and the former Kathleen Bearer (Samay) was the Johnstown Extension’s Outreach Coordinator. The Museum remained in Downtown Johnstown until the fall of 1993, when it moved to its current location at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

            SAMA-Johnstown Site Coordinator, Tina Lehman, said she felt it was important to put together an event that honored the Museum’s past. “Twenty-five years is a wonderful achievement,” she said. “Over the years, SAMA-Johnstown has brought a lot of quality art to the Johnstown community. I believe it is important to honor our past, and to help celebrate this milestone we will be bringing in several past and present staff members to share their memories of our museum.”

            Among the speakers scheduled for the December 11 event are Michael M. Strueber, Director Emeritus of SAMA. Strueber, who served as Executive Director of the Museum from its inception in 1976 through 2000, will discuss the Museum’s expansion into the Johnstown region. Kathleen (Bearer) Samay, the Johnstown Extension’s initial Outreach Coordinator, also will speak about her experience as the Museum’s first coordinator. Madelon Sheedy, who served as Site Coordinator of the Johnstown Museum from 1985-1997, will give remarks about the Museum’s history, as well as about SAMA’s Nicholas Unkovic Steuben Glass Collection, currently on view at SAMA-Johnstown. Dr. Jem Spectar, President of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, also will be on hand to discuss UPJ’s association with the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art. Other speakers include Eleanor Hart Feeley, SAMA’s interim Executive Director, and SAMA-Johnstown Coordinator, Tina Lehman. Entertainment will be provided by Atty. Fremont McKenrick, a well-regarded pianist in the Johnstown region.

            Currently on view at the Museum is The Nicholas Unkovic Steuben Glass Collection. The exhibition features more than 80 crystal sculptures, donated to the Museum in 1992 by Mrs. Mary Clark Unkovic. The crystal sculptures, produced from 1940 to 1980, represent an important non-utilitarian production known as “ornamental.” Intended as collector’s pieces, the diverse objects include animal sculptures, paperweights, scent bottles and goblets. The focus of the current SAMA exhibition, which will remain on view through February 3, is on the beautiful wildlife sculptures.

            The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Johnstown is located in the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Hours of operation are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Museum is a handicapped-accessible facility and is open to the public free of charge. For more information, please call the Museum or visit www.sama-art.org.