Artists unite for fresh takes on Fallingwater
Courtesy of Ron Donoughe
You could say Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural career began in the crib.
According to legend, Wright’s mother decorated his nursery with pictures of famous cathedrals and great architectural works, hoping to inspire him. It must have worked because Wright went on to become one of the most renowned architects in America.
One of his most well-known creations, Fallingwater, has been described as a masterpiece. Nestled in the Laurel Highlands, it has garnered its share of attention and is taking center stage in a new exhibition titled “Spirit of Place,” on view at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA) in Ligonier through Aug. 3. The exhibit is meant to help the public explore the connection between Fallingwater and its surrounding environment.
Visitors will see Fallingwater in entirely new ways as interpreted through the eyes of Ron Donoughe and a bevy of other talented artists. Donoughe, the founder of Plein Air Painters of Western Pennsylvania, also created the acclaimed “90 Pittsburgh Neighborhoods” series, which includes 90 9 x 12 oil paintings, each depicting a different area of Pittsburgh. The series is on permanent display at the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Donoughe was tapped for an artist-in-residence program at Fallingwater during the Covid pandemic. “It fit right in since I essentially document Western and Southwestern Pennsylvania,” he said. During his residency, Donoughe conducted “En Plein Air” workshops, guiding adults and children as they painted outdoors at the Fallingwater grounds throughout the changing seasons. The resulting works are now part of the “Spirit of Place” exhibit.
Hosted by SAMA
Kristin Miller, site director for SAMA Ligonier, said that the organization is honored to be part of the collaboration with Fallingwater, Donoughe and the artists whose works capture the landmark in each of the four seasons.
“Donoughe worked with the painters using a variety of mediums like watercolor, oil, pen and ink and acrylic,” Miller said.
The exhibit features 40 pieces created by the adult artists and approximately 31 pieces painted by children in grades 6-8. Miller said that, as part of the program, Rita Haldeman, an artist-in-residence at the Queen of Angels Catholic School in North Huntingdon, participated in a landscape painting workshop at Fallingwater with Donoghue. She then proceeded to teach students at the school about plein air painting and its history. “They visited Fallingwater and met with Ron, then returned to the classroom and worked with Rita,” Miller explained.
Miller believes that the public will be impressed with the artists’ take on the landmark. “They are absolutely stunning works and we are impressed with the quality and although they are all of the same image, it’s fascinating to see the unique perspectives,” she said.
The exhibit also offers an inside look into the artists’ creative processes. “Each of them did a little write up of what inspired them, so it’s informative as well,” Miller added.
Upcoming events
Those interested in learning more about Fallingwater and artist Ron Donoughe will have the opportunity to meet both him and Fallingwater Executive Director Justin Gunther on June 6 at noon.
Also upcoming is a two-day children’s workshop for ages 9-14. It will be held on June 16 and 17 from 1-4 p.m. and is titled, “Inspirations.” For additional details, visit the SAMA website at https://www.sama-art.org/.