IN Sewickley Winter 2019 | Page 17

Thomas. Past Present Future Jiminez. Crouching Woman Rocky Mountain arts organization, viewing the works of the many artists AAP serves, forming relationships with Pittsburgh artists, and bridging the gap between Pittsburgh and Grand Rapids,” says Williams. “We are thrilled to be partnering with AAP on this exhibition of work showcasing the rich talent in our region,” says Anne Kraybill, the Richard M. Scaife Director and CEO of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. “With Juana Williams as juror, visitors will have the opportunity to experience and celebrate the diversity of inspiration, medium and subject matter that local artists have created.” The Westmoreland is western Pennsylvania’s only museum dedicated to American art. Founded in 1959, it offers a place to share compelling and meaningful cultural experiences that open the door to new ideas, perspectives and possibilities. The museum’s Cantilever Gallery is a recent addition from a 2015 renovation. “The Westmoreland Museum of American Art has long been a proponent of regional artists and their work,” says AAP Executive Director Madeline Gent. “I could not be happier to be returning to the museum and for the opportunity to host an annual in the beautiful Cantilever Gallery. Moreover, the museum has been incredibly receptive to helping us introduce a strong and emerging curatorial voice. I think Juana and the curatorial staff at the museum are going to put together an amazing show.” “The roster of artists selected for the 107th Annual offers a broad range of approaches to both subject and medium,” says Chief Curator of The Westmoreland Barbara Jones. “Unfamiliar with the work of a number of these artists, I am excited to get to know more about them and see their work in person.” The 107th Annual Exhibition will feature 53 artists who work and live in towns throughout western Pennsylvania, including Canonsburg, Carnegie, Erie, Fairview, Gibsonia, Girard, Glenshaw, Greensburg, Grove City, Indiana, Johnstown, Mercer, Millvale, Murrysville, Pittsburgh, Sewickley, Slippery Rock, Trafford, and Wilkinsburg. Carolyn Alexandra Frischling of Sewickley has been an artist all her life. Her work being featured in this year’s exhibition—titled “Avvolgente | Enfolding”—alludes to love. “The entire form is almost like a heart,” she says. “I was also inspired by a childhood fairytale called ‘The Tinderbox’ by Hans Christian Andersen. The vertical part of the form is like the tree.” Frischling’s sculpture measures 30 x 22 x 18 in. or 76 x 55 x 46 cm. and weighs approximately 600 lbs. The marble is Bianco Piastra Marina and is 190 million years old, formed during the Jurassic period, quarried at Cave Focolacia in the Apuan Alps and made by Frischling at the foot of the mountains in Gramolazzo, Lucca, Italy in 2017. “The life of an artist is hard, so it’s tremendously reaffirming to have my art exhibited in such a wonderful place,” Frischling notes. “A great amount of work was done by nature to metamorphosize this rock, and by myself and others to quarry and transport this marble, to design, carve, finish, crate, ship and finally to transport this sculpture to The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in 2019. Hopefully, Avvolgente | Enfolding Heitzenrater. Hindsight is worthy of using such a noble, finite and precious resource that is marble, and will find a home here in western Pennsylvania.” Admission to The Westmoreland is free, and the AAP Annual Exhibition is open to the public. More information about the exhibition and accompanying programming can be found by visiting thewestmoreland.org or calling the museum at 724.837.1500. n Bonnet. Sts. Peter and Paul Church SEWICKLEY ❘ WINTER 2019 15