Allied Artists Online Show

Allied Artists of Johnstown

Online Shows

The Annual Show at UPJ Pasquerilla Center for the Performing Arts SAMA facility is our largest annual event. There is no charge for admission.

A Statement by the Juror - Vince Ornato

"To say one 'juries' an art show in order to award individual works is a misnomer because it implies 'winners' and 'losers'. There are no losers. Some pieces, when taken as a whole, are merely stronger than others. A person who goes from the idea, to its’ articulation (whether done in watercolor, oil, photography and so on), and then blending that with its’ presentation to the world (matting, framing, artist's signature placement et al), should all combine to form a unified design. This is a lot. There is more to it than simply an ability to create a work. When displaying in public, how a piece is presented or 'packaged,' so to speak, now becomes an integral part of the creative process. This aspect of showing work was a learned process for me in my own progression as a public artist and did not come naturally. It had its’ own series of issues that I needed to learn about.

"I am pleased to report that because of the consistently fine level of quality among the entrants overall, most of whom are amateurs artists, the "peaks and valleys" in the group were not that far apart. This made me confident in my belief that the award winners were deserving. But it also put me in the position of knowing that the next 'tier' of artists whose pieces did not get awards were very close in quality to some of those walking away with ribbons. That is the tough part.

"Taken as a whole, the allied artists should be proud. The work represents care, spirit, a solid work ethic and, most importantly, an affection for lively participation in the process of making a piece of art which never existed before. Bravissimo!"

JUROR BIOGRAPHY:

Vince Ornato has earned a living exclusively from doing various forms of commercial and fine art

work for over 20 years.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh and earning a

B.A. in English Writing and Rhetoric from the University of Pittsburgh, he decided to pursue a childhood dream of being an artist. While supporting himself by doing construction work, he enrolled in the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. During the ensuing years, he earned a living from commercial graphic design work, sign painting, some illustration and thousands of sketch portraits and caricatures. He also took painting workshops with various local artists including Philip Salvato, Jim Sulkowski, Ron Donoughe, John Johns, and Herbert Olds. Most importantly, he studied under

Daniel Greene, N.A., New York, for whom he also

worked as a classroom assistant.

Vince sells his work out of his Avery Street studio,

near Pittsburgh's North Shore, and over the Internet. See Vince’s website at: www.VinceTheArtist.com.

Thank you to the many individuals who made this exhibit possible…

Tina Lehman and Diane Safko who serve as my SAMA curator team; our juror, Vince Ornato; the AAJ Board, Janie Leck-Grela, Pam Laney, Sam Howard, Florence Doyka, and Duane Webb for their assistance throughout the jurying drop-offs, receiving, program preparations and processes. Bob Hovanec - Show Chair

Being recognized in a special tribute, a work by AAJ member Gary McClemens is displayed.

Title: Buckboard in Winter

Medium: acrylic on Board

Price: $350

A special thanks to these patrons for their monetary support to the Allied Artists.

WELCOME TO The Online Exhibition at UPJ's Pasquerilla Center Sep 12 - Dec 14, 2008

Gary graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 1975 with a degree in graphic art and design. Upon graduation, he returned to Johnstown and ended up working in his father’s saw mill business in Sidman. In 2000, a tree that Gary was sawing split and fell on him. He was hospitalized for nearly six months with a broken back, wrists, ribs, and severe head injuries. Gary has been confined to a wheelchair since that time. He struggles daily with rehab and hopes to someday walk again.

This did not hamper his love of art. In fact, it revitalized him. Gary became more active in his painting. He works in acrylic oils, and his love for the outdoors is apparent in his mix of landscapes and wildlife paintings.

Gary was recently hospitalized due to a lapse and loss of memory and it has not been determined what may have caused this setback for him. He has been unable to paint for the past several months. We wish him a speedy and complete recovery so that we may enjoy his work once again.

Gary’s work can be seen online by visiting the “Links to Member Sites” page or by clicking here.

See the Show below!

WINNING ENTRIES 2008 ANNUAL FALL SHOW

L. Robert Kimball & Associates Award

“Invitation to Tango” by Jim Richey

Shirley K. Wagner Award

“Small Town” by Vivian Ohs

Robin Strachan Award

“Truckin’ “ by Scooter Hovanec

Jean O’Malley Award

“Exhale” by Jenae A. Smith

Stephen G. Zamias Award

“Heirlooms and Hybrids” by Carolyn Vaughn

Camille & Dorothy Maravelli Award

“Male Nude” by Janae A. Smith

Bob & Julie Horowitz Award

“Duo Glide” by Bob Hovanec

Somerset Trust Award

“Helen’s Reflection” by Mary Wiley-Lewis

Robert E. Thomas Award

“Dissection” by Mike Begenyi

H.M. Picking (Evelyn J. Picking) Award

“Laundry” by Mark Parrish

Arthur & Henry Hagadus Memorial Award

“Twilight Run” by Walter Kososki

Josephine Paul Memorial Award

“Wing and a Prayer” by Joe Berezansky

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

IN MEMORY OF...

Jean Casale.

Jean had been a member of the Allied Artists since 1979. She was the personnel administrator at PENELEC, and many years ago, when Ralph Clemenson gave a short workshop or demonstration there, Jean's interest in art was born. She took lessons from Harriett Goff and continued to paint for about 30 years. She enjoyed landscapes, and had also painted a portrait of her father, the late Joseph Casale. Her favorite medium was oil, but she also worked in watercolor. Jean died in July 2008.

Scenes from the artists reception Friday, September 26th.