Associated Artists of Pittsburgh 107th Annual Exhibition
Westmoreland Museum of American Art | Greensburg, Pennsylvania
The Associated Artists of Pittsburgh’s 107th Annual Exhibition features the work of 49 regional artists, showcasing the breadth of creative talent flourishing in Pittsburgh and its surrounding areas. The theme of this year’s exhibition centers on curiosity—our innate ability to connect with and find meaning in visual expressions of creativity—and the subconscious effect that artwork has on the human psyche. Whether positive or negative, conscious or subconscious, the natural spirit of inquiry fosters connections between viewers and artists through the visual language of art.
In the current cultural climate, the exhibition’s whimsical and openly curious theme offers a welcome respite from the complexities of contemporary society. Yet, human nature reveals our enduring inclination toward understanding and representation. As we navigate our own experiences, we construct narratives that help us interpret the world around us and our place within it. Through this process, multiple perspectives emerge, bridging the space between artist and viewer. A deeper conceptual engagement with the works reinforces the idea that art both shapes—and is shaped by—society.
Ranging from the vibrant interplay of color in abstract paintings to the mysterious suggestions found in sculptural forms, the connections among the works lie in their shared complexity. Diverse materials reach into space, climb walls, blur boundaries, abstract figures, and complicate representation—visually linking the inner worlds of artist and viewer. Each piece contains an element that resists immediate understanding, whether visually, thematically, or materially, inviting viewers to consider multiple interpretations. By emphasizing art as an experiential form of understanding, the exhibition encourages open inquiry. Though the works may evoke many different responses, together they celebrate curiosity, reflection, and the enduring human desire to question.
Participating Artists
Atticus Adams, Theresa Antonellis, Pati Beachley, Cory Bonnet, Sheila Cuellar-Shaffer, Kathleen DePasse, Margot Dermody, Ron Donoughe, Dan Droz, Haylee Ebersole, Tom Ferraro, Carolyn Frischling, Tyler Gaston, Rebecca Harmon, Richard Harydzak, Heather Heitzenrater, Joshua Hogan, Tazim Jaffer, Alejandro Jimenez, Adam Linn, Cara Livorio, Scott Lloyd, Stephanie Martin, Nancy McNary-Smith, Joan Milsom, Sandra Moore, Ellen Chisdes Neuberg, Ronald Nigro, Katie Ott, Susan Palmisano, Mark Panza, Brian Pardini, Leah Patgorski, Garry Pyles, Katie Rearick, Dafna Rehavia, Christopher Ruane, Nicole Renee Ryan, Rachel Saul Rearick, Patrick Schmidt, Jeff Schwarz, Phiris Kathryn Sickels, Louise Silk, Nellie Lou Slagle, Randie Snow, Marc Snyder, Mia Tarducci, Benjamin Thomas, and Eva Trout
Associated Artists of Pittsburgh 107th Annual Exhibition
Seton Hill University | Greensburg, Pennsylvania
The four installations at Seton Hill are distinct works, both visually and thematically. Each piece offers a complex reflection on humanity through the lens of its creator, layered with multiple meanings.
Jason Boone’s Double Philotes is visually captivating, yet its reference to the Greek goddess Philotes adds another layer of depth. Philotes, often associated with the creation of humankind and the personification of friendship, provides a mythological framework through which the sculpture can be interpreted. The two spherical forms may symbolize human connection, while the radiating spikes suggest the intricate interrelations between relationships, understanding, and pivotal moments in life.
Terrence Boyd’s performance from the Bower Bird / Perhaps She is Frightened at Being Dead series activates the gallery space through live action, culminating in an unconventionally produced fiber-based sculpture. Boyd challenges the traditional perception of fiber art as delicate or inherently feminine. Instead, he imbues his work with a palpable sense of aggression and intensity, confronting and overturning long-held assumptions about the medium.
In It is the Greatest of All Mistakes to Do Nothing Because You Can Only Do So Little, Sarika Goulatia engages directly with the realities of climate change. Her large-scale, site-responsive installation features numerous handmade orbs that vary in size and texture, evoking ideas of permanence and ephemerality. Earth-like and stone-textured, yet fragile and decaying, these forms juxtapose the gallery’s pristine environment, revealing the tension between natural degradation and human-made destruction. The visual grittiness of the orbs exposes the damage often hidden or ignored, each sphere standing as a metaphor for humanity’s impact on the planet.
Grant McFarland’s Three’s a Crowd is the only installation of the four that invites direct viewer interaction. Three swings occupy the space, evoking nostalgic memories of childhood while simultaneously challenging notions of usability and comfort. The familiar plastic seats are replaced with luxurious leather, visually refined but ergonomically awkward. Furthermore, the swings face one another, rendering them impractical when all are occupied at once. McFarland’s work examines not only the functionality of furniture but also how context, age, and experience influence the meaning we assign to objects. Through this lens, he reveals the shifting cultural associations embedded within everyday design.
Participating Artists
Jason Boone, Terrence Boyd, Sarika Goulatia, and Grant McFarland
