Uniontown Art Club celebrates 75 years
The Uniontown Art Club will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a schedule of special events on Saturday, Aug. 10 that includes the unveiling of a new sculpture and a membership art exhibition. The sculpture will be unveiled at a 2 p.m. ceremony in front of the Uniontown Public Library, located at 24 Jefferson Ave., where it will be permanently displayed. Meanwhile, the Uniontown Art Club 75th Anniversary Show will open at 3:30 p.m. at the Uniontown State Theatre Center for the Arts. The art show will continue to be open to the public in the lobby of the State Theatre through Aug. 17.
“We wanted something permanent for our 75th anniversary and something for the community,’ president Sylvia Vignali explained the art club’s decision to commission the sculpture. “The art club is all encompassing. It’s not just for artists but for people who appreciate art.’
As yet untitled, the sculpture depicts a woman reading a book on a park bench. There are also two benches on either side of her. Artist Laura DeFazio of Charleroi, who is a professor at California University of Pennsylvania, is creating the work.
“The past president, Madelyn Cindric, knew of her and contacted Laura and asked if she’d be interested in doing a large piece,’ said Vignali, explaining that DeFazio had not worked on such a large piece of art before. “This is a first for us, and a first for her so we’re excited.’
Memorial bricks are being sold to support the acquisition of the sculpture, and will be placed on the ground around it. The public can still purchase memorial bricks. Vignali said the charge is $50 for two lines or $60 for three lines. The bricks can also be placed together as companion pieces. For more information on purchasing a memorial brick, phone Nadine Reposky at 724-437-2799.
The library is a special place for the Uniontown Art Club. It is where the club hosts its meetings and houses its art collection, acquired through the years by a branch known as the Friends of Art.
“It’s a huge collection. It’s been evaluated at several hundred thousand dollars,’ said Vignali.
Those who attend the unveiling ceremony will be invited to take a tour of the library to see the collection. Vignali said the pieces are placed throughout the library, including the upstairs meeting room and children’s library.
The public may be particularly interested in a sculpture called “The Raven,’ by 19th century artist David Gilmore Blythe, as Vignali said the piece will soon be loaned to the Sen. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center.
Christy Fusco, head librarian, said Uniontown Public Library has enjoyed “a wonderful relationship with the art club. They’ve been very generous to share their collection with us.’
She said the new sculpture is an extension of the club’s generosity: “They share with the library and the community.’
Fusco added, “I think our community is very fortunate to have a club and organization that’s committed to artistic endeavors – both their own and others.’
The anniversary celebration will continue with the opening of the membership art exhibition at the State Theatre, located on Main Street, at 3:30 p.m. The exhibition will showcase some 36 to 40 pieces created by art club members. Vignali said they will include mostly paintings, but some photographs and a sculpture done by DeFazio, who is also a member of the club.
An awards presentation ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. The show will continue through Aug. 17 in the theater lobby. It will be open in the early afternoon on Sunday. Aug. 11 and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 12-17. Many pieces will be available for sale.
The celebration of the 75th anniversary means a time to reflect on what the Uniontown Art Club means to the community.
Vignali commented, “It’s a place where one can go to share his art and find out where there are other outlets for art, classes and exhibitions. We always have a speaker or demonstration at our meetings.’
The art club meets at the Uniontown Public Library September through November and from February through May on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. There are no meetings in December, January, June, July and August.
Vignali added, “There are so many people who enjoy the arts that need a place or group with which they can share. They don’t feel isolated as long as they have a group with whom they can share their problems and enjoyment of art. And you learn so much just by discussion. ‘Gee, I never thought of that’ or ‘I should try that.’ And there’s people who say, let’s go to this art show together.’
The Uniontown Art Club has approximately 50 to 54 members throughout Fayette County, including Perryopolis, Connellsville and Farmington, said Vignali.
The art club was created in 1927 for the promotion of art and education. The club hosts art shows periodically. Vignali said the last juried show was held two years ago.