May 26, 2009
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 EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS PERMANENT COLLECTION

            Johnstown – There is much to take in at the latest exhibition from the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Johnstown, titled Artists at Large: Selections from the Permanent Collection. The exhibition, on view June 19 through September 18, showcases 19 large-scale paintings from the SAMA permanent collection.

“To give you an idea of the scale, there are only 19 pieces in this exhibition whereas we usually display upward of 60 pieces. This is truly a departure from the norm,” said Tina Lehman, SAMA-Johnstown Coordinator. Lehman will offer an in-depth guided tour and discussion of the exhibition on June 25 from 2 to 3 p.m. The tour is free and open to the public.

Although relatively few in number, the selected paintings survey several genres, such as abstract, landscape, mythology, portraiture and realism. Featured artists include Richmond Burton, Sideo Fromboluti, Charles Gibbons, Willy Heeks, Bob Paul Kane, Kevin Kutz, Sandra Sunnyo Lee, David Maxim, George Morris, Michael Morrill, Edith Neff, Stephen Pace, Dong Phan, Nadezda Prvulovic, Robert M. Robinson, Anna Marie Schnur, Francine Tint and Nathan Wagoner.

Besides showcasing a wide range of artists and styles, Artists at Large also highlights the diversity and growth of SAMA’s collection. When first opening in 1976, the Museum’s permanent collection consisted of 20 etchings by John Sloan and another 47 paintings, sculptures and drawings. Today, the collection offers a comprehensive introduction to 19^th and 20^th century American art and houses approximately 3,500 paintings, prints, sculptures, photographs and drawings by some of the nation’s top artists. In addition to nationally known pieces, the collection also contains works by local artists and endeavors to preserve and promote the artistry of the local community.

The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Johnstown is located in the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center on the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown campus. 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.