WHAT ’ S NEWS IN GREENSBURG-SALEM
THE WESTMORELAND MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART IS A BLUE STAR MUSEUM
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art is participating in Blue Star Museums , a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts , Blue Star Families , the Department of Defense and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to the nation ’ s active duty military personnel , including National Guard and Reserve , and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2016 . Free admission for military and their families as well as for veterans is always offered at The Westmoreland , and the museum ’ s annual participation in the Blue Star Museums program helps to make this fact more known to the general public .
Leadership support for Blue Star Families programming and promotional materials has been provided by MetLife Foundation . The program also provides families an opportunity to enjoy the nation ’ s cultural heritage and learn more about their new communities after a military move . The complete list of participating museums is available at arts . gov / bluestarmuseums .
“ We are happy to be a part of the Blue Star Museums program and to always offer free admission for our military and their families ,” says Judith H . O ’ Toole , The Richard M . Scaife Director / CEO of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art . “ This important initiative gives military families the opportunity to visit cultural institutions across America at no charge in recognition of their service and the sacrifices they make .”
This year , more than 2,000 ( and counting ) museums in all 50 states , the District of Columbia , Puerto Rico and American Samoa are taking part in the initiative . Museums are welcome to join Blue Star Museums throughout the summer . The effort to recruit museums has involved partnerships with the American Alliance of Museums , the
Association of Art Museum Directors , the Association of Children ’ s Museums , the American Association of State and Local History , and the Association of Science- Technology Centers . This year ’ s Blue Star Museums represent not just fine arts , but also science museums , history museums , nature centers and dozens of children ’ s museums . Among this year ’ s new participants are the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock , Arkansas ; the Children ’ s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover , New Hampshire ; the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History in Pacific Grove , California ; the Rochester Museum & Science Center in Rochester , New York ; and El Rancho de las Golondrinas , a living history museum in Santa Fe , New Mexico .
About The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art , located at 221 N . Main Street in Greensburg , recently completed a transformational renovation and expansion project , hosting a community grand reopening celebration in late October , 2015 . A new LEED-certified addition adds over 13,000 square feet to the museum and features a dynamic cantilevered design along with a stunning view of the City of Greensburg and the Laurel Highlands beyond . The Westmoreland ’ s permanent collection is comprised of works by major American artists from the 18th century through the present , with a special emphasis on southwestern Pennsylvania art and artists . The museum also offers an impressive schedule of temporary exhibitions of American art – both nationally traveling and those organized in-house – as well as events and community-oriented educational programming for all ages .
More information is available at thewestmoreland . org .
FREE SUMMER CONCERT IN THE PARK WITH THE WSO
Summer Sparklers , a free annual outdoor concert , was presented by the Westmoreland Symphony on Saturday , July 2 , at 7 p . m . at St . Clair Park ’ s Robertshaw Amphitheater in downtown Greensburg . Conducted by
WSO ’ s Artistic Director Daniel Meyer , the program featured pops , music from the movie blockbuster “ Harry Potter ,” patriotic favorites and Tchaikovsky ’ s famous “ 1812 Overture .” The concert was repeated on Sunday , July 3 , at 4 p . m . during the Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival .
For more information , call the WSO Office at 724.837.1850 or visit westmorelandsymphony . org .
FIVE STAR TRAIL POKER RUN The 17th annual Five Star Trail Poker Run was held on Saturday , July 23 , beginning at Lynch Field in Greensburg at 9 a . m . The Poker Run is not only a race , but two events in one ! Participants chose between a four-mile walk and a 12-mile bike ride , although this was not a race to see who finished first ! Those who participated chose a playing card from a deck of cards at each of five checkpoints along the trail , thus assembling a full poker hand . The top three poker hands received a trophy and a special prize package . The Poker Run also featured a giant door-prize giveaway after the event , a Norco bike raffle courtesy of the Bicycle Shop in Youngwood , tasty snacks for sale , a 50 / 50 drawing and much more !
The Westmoreland Heritage Trail Chapter partnered again with the Five Star Trail Chapter to host the Poker Run , and all proceeds from the event benefitted the two trail chapters . Participants were able to choose which trail group they wanted their entry fees to benefit . n
Photo courtesy www . facebook . com / WestmorelandSymphonyOrchestra
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