New Brownsville museum well received
BROWNSVILLE – The new Frank L. Melega Art Museum in Brownsville received positive reviews Wednesday from public officials and members of the Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce. Brownville Mayor Lester Ward and his wife Kasandra hosted a reception at the newly renovated first-floor location of the museum. The local art museum, previously located on the upper floor of the Flatiron Building, is now downstairs and interconnected with the Flatiron Building Heritage Center.
“It’s brought the museum to life. There are so many more people coming in now that it’s at ground level. I think the stairs were intimidating,” said Lee Melega, the daughter-in-law of the late Frank L. Melega.
“This is better. It’s open; it’s more convenient. Our museum is for the people. That was my father’s wishes and we try to carry that out,” said Frank R. Melega, the artist’s son.
The renovation included refinishing the original hardwood floors in the building and installing museum-quality lighting to illuminate the artwork, as well as removing a staircase and making other improvements.
“It’s quite a change. It’s really beautiful. I hadn’t been in here since they did all the work. It’s an asset to the town,” said Dr. Alan Sally, a Brownsville podiatrist.
“It’s a thrill to see something like this here. It’s something you expect in the city,” said Randy Sanders, a pageant coordinator from Low Hill.
Tim Frye of Prompt Quality Painting Inc. of Waynesburg was one of the contractors on the job, so he’s seen the space through its transformation.
Frye said Wednesday was the first opportunity he’s had to view both the Melega Art Museum and the Heritage Center as a spectator.
“I think it’s fantastic. It tells a nice story, starting on the other side with all the history, then coming over here and seeing it all through someone else’s eyes,” Frye said.
While Frank L. Melega worked in a variety of media and covered numerous subjects, he is noted for his artwork depicting the coal and coke industries in southwestern Pennsylvania. Frank R. Melega said often the people in the paintings and sculptures were family members, neighbors and friends. One painting shows his brother and him reading while doing their homework.
“The Monessen Library bought that one. My mother complained that he sold her favorite painting, so he did another one that was slightly different,” Frank R. Melega said.
The library donated the painting to the museum. Frank R. Melega said his father often gave his artwork to friends and family, and some items, like a sculpture of one of his neighbors, have also been donated to the museum. A number of small sculptures are showcased in a display case built into the wall.
“These are my favorites over here,” said Brownsville Councilwoman Tracy Sheehan Zivkovich as she pointed to the sculpture display. “They took this area and made it such a focal point.”
Zivkovich said she also liked how visitors could see the progression of some of the art pieces, with Frank L. Melega’s preliminary sketches and watercolors on display, along with the larger finished paintings.
Brownsville Area School District Superintendent Phil Savini said the development of the art and history museums is noteworthy.
“When (the Flatiron Building Heritage Center) first opened and we were here, there were some basic things you’d see in a local museum, but now it’s really expanded in the regional aspect. I hope this takes off and helps the area grow. This could be the cornerstone of something great,” Savini said.
County Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink agreed.
“I think this is a treasure that Brownsville has that certainly needs to be marketed and this is a great start,” Zimmerlink said. “There’s culture, there’s history and ambience that you can’t find in too many places. It’s really worth coming to see what’s in your own backyard.”
Zimmerlink encouraged area residents to visit the museum and to bring their out-of-town relatives to the museum to showcase Fayette County.