How do you host an art gallery reception in the time of pandemic gathering restrictions? With outdoor space and creative thinking, both of which are available at Greensburg Art Center.
The Hempfield center opened its grounds and galleries on Aug. 15 to debut “Art Neighbors,” the second annual joint exhibition with Latrobe Art Center. Members of both centers are free to enter pieces in the open show, which one center hosts while the other supplies the juror.
The Saturday evening soiree featured socially distanced outdoor tables, a buffet of prepackaged snacks and beverages and ice cream served by Marion McFeely of McFeely’s Gourmet Chocolates of Greensburg and Irwin.
Live music came courtesy of All Stewed Up, the rollicking trio of Mary Ellen, Phil Raneri and Cheryl Cochran.
Guests were admitted to the gallery under the watchful eye of Susan Pollins, who made sure no more than 15 guests were inside at a time.
Juror Andrew Julo, director and curator of the Saint Vincent College Verostko Center for the Arts, chose the following works for cash prize honors:
• Best of Show: “A Stitch in Time,” Jan Landini
• First Place: “Embrace the View,” Paul Sirofchuck
• Second Place: “Mill Creek Falls,” Clare Kaczmarek
• Third Place: “Class of ‘53,” H.K. Miller
• Honorable Mention: “Fem Scape,” Joe Schildkamp; “Celtic Dragon,” Mandy Sirofchuck; “Departure of the Soul,” Joe Ryznar; and “Naptime,” Sally Taylor.
Visitors to the show through closing on Oct. 3 can vote for the People’s Choice Award, to be announced that day.
Pollins, Pat Majcher and Sarah Hunter served as exhibition co-chairs.
Seen at the reception: Lauren Buches, Joe Bellack, Gloria Gonzalez and Becky Hohol, Dee Taylor, Tami Krusper, Fred and Rosemary Sovyak, Linda Blum, Derek Palmer and Nathalie Blum, Marge Ryznar, Don Majcher, Susan Wisneski, Denny and Jane Nespoli, Suzanne Panchura, David Steimer and Annie Urban, Vince and Sue Hrubes, Judith Morrow, Cathy Rosensteel and Jerry Scorpion.
