Fort Ligonier welcomed artist and painting conservator Michael Mosorjak of Johnstown as speaker at the annual meeting and member reception on April 28.
Mosorjak discussed the conservation techniques of British paintings, which comprise most of Fort Ligonier’s collection — many of which he has conserved.
When asked if he had a favorite in the fort’s collection, he said, “From the conservator’s aspect, they are all patients and therefore special, all worthy of the same care.”
Still, he conceded it’s hard not to select Sir Joshua Reynolds’ 1760 oil painting of Lord Ligonier on his horse — the first piece of art acquired by the fort, an anonymous gift in 1961.
Executive Director Mary Manges said the upcoming season at the fort looks to be “business as usual — which is a good thing, given the last couple of years.”
Special events planned in May include a French garrison weekend, participation in Ligonier Valley Free Museum Day, a one-day sale of the fort’s exclusive Forbes Road Rum and an 18th-century military encampment weekend.
Details can be found at fort ligonier.org.
Reception guests feasted on hors d’oeurves the likes of which early fort denizens couldn’t have imagined — lamb meatballs, avocado-mango bruschetta, sausage-and-kale-stuffed potato rolls and caramelized onion, bacon and mushroom dip from chef Susan Kroft, owner of The Fat Squirrel Restaurant in Jennerstown.
Seen at the fort: Ron Petnuch, David Roderick, Dan Harshberger, Chas Fagan, Ralph Bennett, Theresa Gay Rohall, Tyrrell Sharp, Carol Nicely, Paul Kennedy, Bruce Henderson, Dr. Bill Choby, Debra Scarpitti, Tom Jacobsen, Duane and Mary Ellen Miller, John and Linda Whipkey, Eugene Degitz, Dan Slezak, Mary Dettore, George Leshnock, Phil Light, Matt Gault and Julie Donovan.
