August 18, 2009
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-ALTOONA TO EXHIBIT WORKS OF LOCAL FOLK ARTIST

            Altoona – The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Altoona will feature the work of a gifted local artist in its latest exhibition, Jory Albright: Mindful Travels. More than 40 of the artist’s pictorial narratives, depicting both fictional and non-fictional people and places, will be on view September 11 through January 9.

            “Jory has been a beloved and accomplished artist for many years,” said SAMA-Altoona Coordinator, Barbara Hollander. “His art is both serious and whimsical, with detailed characterizations of real and imagined leaders of history, friends and artists, all incorporated into a landscape that escapes the boundaries of the canvas.”

            Albright is an Altoona native and a graduate of Altoona Area High School. A self-taught artist, Albright worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad before he began painting in 1973. Since that time, he had dedicated his entire career to pictorial narratives and has perfected his creative process. After brainstorming an initial characterization, he further defines the character and narrative through background research, often consulting books, magazines and newspapers.

            In addition to research, Albright also looks inward for artistic inspiration, incorporating many life experiences into his work. Trains appear in many of his paintings, a literal translation of his career with the railroad. Likewise, his extensive travels to Maine, Miami, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Mexico and London often contribute to his cityscapes. He incorporates childhood memories of his father into his art as well, citing his father’s gifts of baseball cards, paint-by-numbers and notebook covers as sources of artistic inspiration. Albright also has been influenced by the work of artist Marc Chagall and classical music.

            Albright has been featured in several area exhibitions and permanent collections. In addition to a 1988 SAMA exhibition of local folk artists, he has shown at the Blair County Arts Festival, Mountain Top Art Gallery, Altoona Area Public Library, Pittsburgh Art Center and the Locus Gallery in New York City, among others. His work is featured in the permanent collections of SAMA, the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum, Mount Aloysius College and the Altoona Hotel.

            Currently, Albright works from a home studio, painting on large, surreal canvasses with oils and making his own frames. He is active in many arts organizations and galleries throughout the region.

            The Museum will celebrate the opening of Jory Albright: Mindful Travels with a reception on Monday, September 14 from 6 to 8 p.m., in conjunction with the Museum’s Blue Monday program. The evening will feature live music, food and libations. Cost is $20 per person. Please call the Museum at (814) 946-4464 for reservations. Albright also will speak at a Lunch a l’Art program, scheduled for October 8. Cost for the lunch program is $13 or $12 for members. Please call the Museum for reservations or more information.

            The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Altoona is located in the Brett Building at 1210 Eleventh Avenue. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Museum is a handicapped-accessible facility and is open to the public free of charge. Parking is available in the garage across the street or in metered spots in the lot at the rear of the building. For more information, call the Museum or visit www.sama-art.org.