Oakmont artist plans painting party in Riverside Park
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By April 20, any remnants of Punxsutawney Phil’s wintertime prognostications should be long gone.
“It’s supposed to be spring,” artist Sara Kirsch said. “So let’s hope the world hears us say that.”
She spoke as the temperature dropped and rain clouds gathered yet again a few weeks prior to a special event she has planned for Oakmont’s Riverside Park: a benefit painting party that she calls the seasonally appropriate Spring Has Sprung.
While sunshine would be preferable as Kirsch leads the activity for all ages from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m., the gathering takes place under the roof of the park’s Stoner Pavilion, just in case. She is presketching canvases with a floral theme to which participants can apply their favorite colors of acrylic.
The art-in-the-park party is raising money for UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
“I’m running a half-marathon in May for them,” Kirsch, who lives in Oakmont, said. “I was talking to some of the people who work at the hospital, and they said since I was an artist, this would be a great way to raise some money, too. And I agree.”
Her ability to run 13.1 miles, and probably greater distances, comes with an athletic background. She played volleyball for Slippery Rock University while earning her bachelor’s degree in English education and later served as head coach for the Fox Chapel Area High School girls volleyball team.
She has returned to the coaching ranks by leading the middle school team at Riverview Junior-Senior High School. And she’s hoping for some of her players to try their hands at painting for Spring Has Sprung.
After owning the Olive Branch Art Studio in Oakmont, Kirsch recently transitioned to becoming artist in residence at Tarentum’s Manos Gallery on East Fifth Avenue, inside a century-old building that once housed the Manos movie theater.
Despite her professional shift across the Allegheny River, Kirsch remains a member of the Oakmont Chamber of Commerce, which has helped considerably in spreading the word about the painting party.
“I could have probably not joined again, since my studio was moving,” she said. “But that was kind of my way of staying active in the Oakmont area.”
The donation for Spring Has Sprung is $20. Reserve a space by emailing sjkirsch13@gmail.com.