Greensburg Art Center issued artists the challenge of packing up their paints and easels and taking to the city streets and country roads for “Plein Aire 15601,” the center’s first exhibition of works created “en plein air” — a fancy French phrase simply meaning “outdoors.”
An opening reception was held Saturday, July 9 at the center in Hempfield to display the results and announce award winners.
Each of the 21 participating artists could submit two paintings to hang in the center’s Rowe Gallery. Prolific artists who painted more than two could hang their extra works in the adjoining classroom.
Judge for the awards was Mary Briggs, co-founder of You Are Here gallery in Jeannette. Her top picks included:
• First Place: “Underwood,” Nancy Rusbosin
• Second Place: “Reflections at Lowery’s, Birdie Lane,” Becky Mormack
• Third Place: “A Foggy Night in Greensburg,” Janice Decker
• Honorable Mentions: “Home Cluck Home, Woodcrest Farm,” Pat Majcher; “Lonely Blue Heron,” Mary Ellen Raneri; “Past 2 Hannastown,” Susan Wisneski; and “Blight,” Mary Yeager.
Artists took advantage of both town and country, painting Greensburg city scenes along with rural vistas, farm animals and wildlife. As the show title suggested, their subjects had to be within the borders of the 15601 zip code.
“Plein Aire 15601” will continue at the center through Aug. 26.
Many of the works are for sale. Works purchased from the main show can be taken home when the exhibition closes, while those in the classroom will be sold off the wall.
Majcher and Mormack served as exhibition co-chairs, along with artist Marcia Koynok.
Seen at the reception: Peg and Bill Panasiti, Jerry Scorpion, Bob Majcher, John Kelly, Phil Raneri, Pamela Cooper, Michaelene McWhinney, Debbie King, Richard and Eileen Stoner, Tom Niggel, Martie Sanner, Barbara Ferrier, Endy Reindl, Betty Sheets, Ed and Theresa Rusbosin, Doreen Currie, Betty Trout, Scott and Janet Anderson, Jerome Yandrick, Chelsey Lowrey, Logan Lowrey, Hannah Lowrey, Tami Krusper, Gene and Nancy Dalverny, and Shirleah Kelly.
