Arts and culture are alive and well at Penn State New Kensington, evidenced by the third annual Off the Wall pARTy on June 14.
Party-goers found themselves immersed in art, and the proceeds will benefit the cultural arts fund “to enhance arts and humanities programming and education,” according to Kary Milan, organizer and director of development and alumni relations.
The evening kicked off with a VIP reception, with special guest artist Rodney Allen Trice.
A Penn State grad and former magazine art director in New York City, Trice is now a professor of practice at the Penn State main campus. He displayed pieces of his sculptural-type work incorporating found materials and an interactive video installation.
Trice was accompanied by his partner, Eddie Villegas; his mother, Harriet Trice; and his aunt, Barb Leeper.
VIPs also enjoyed tapas, champagne and music by the husband-wife duo, Vida Loves Donnie.
There was more art, more food, more music and a lot more fun once the main event got underway.
That included a pop-up gallery and sale by artists Michael Bestwick, Dan Burfield, Sal Greco, Ryder Henry, Bill Miller, Corey Pistininzi and Stevo Sadvary. Sadvary also oversaw a create-your-own-mosaic activity.
Representatives of Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse hosted a Reuse-a-Palooza Station where guests could make more art from reclaimed materials.
Pittsburgh artist George Williams was found amidst his “Art Madness” speed-painting show, conjuring up two Pittsburgh-themed paintings and one Penn State-themed painting destined for the evening’s live auction. A silent auction offered more art.
“Artist Palate” hors d’oeuvre and dessert stations were laden with photo-worthy fare.
Following the live auction, revelers danced the rest of the night away to music by acoustic cover band Belly Up.
Seen: Chancellor Kevin Snider with Sarah Snider, event co-organizer Tina Booth, Bud and Patti Gibbons, Karl Salatka, Robert “Doc” and Linda Mueller, Don and Kim Ryan, Chuck and Trudi Booth, Matt and Holly Plocki, Kelli Brisbane and Dashiel Harster, David and Lori Omatick and George and Marilee Fetkovich.
Also, Josh Milan, Alyssa Pistininzi, Barbara Arnold, Jim Ciuca, Debbie Maszgay, Paul and Pat Hollinger, Jason Greenwald and Vera Spina Greenwald, John Spadaro, Corinne Coulson and Bob and Jeanne Weil.
