Artist of the Pike exhibit to open at Melega Museum
BROWNSVILLE – It is hard to believe, but it’s time once again for the Artist of the Pike exhibition. Saturday is the opening reception for the 2006 Artist of the Pike, Daniel R. Salitrik, photographer. “I don’t know of any other living photographer who has created such an extensive documentation of southwestern Pennsylvania,” said Patrick Daugherty, museum curator. “Dan has the eye of an artist and the perspective of a historian, plus he understands the technical side of photography, from film to the latest in digital imaging. Don’t miss this inspired exhibition of 32 incredible images.”
The sponsor, the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation (BARC), announced a “meet the artist” reception is scheduled for 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday. The reception will be held in the new and more spacious Community Room, located on the ground of the historic Flatiron Building.
Two other events in conjunction with the National Road Festival will be held today through Sunday. On Saturday, Frank R. Melega, son of Frank L. Melega, will conduct tours of the museum from 1 to 3 p.m. At 2 p.m. Sunday, Salitrik will be giving a lecture titled “Techniques of Digital Photography.” The Saturday and Sunday events are free to the public. For additional hours or group tours by appointment, call 724-785-9331.
Salitrik has been taking photographs of the local area for more than 40 years. The great volume of work has prompted a first for the Frank L. Melega Art Museum, a two-part exhibition by the same artist.
The first installation will focus on the people of the National Road.
The second installation of Salitrik’s photographs will reflect the photographer’s personal and artistic vision.
“People of the Pike” opens Saturday and runs to July 9. The second part titled “Thirty Years of Light and Shadow: A Photographic Retrospective” opens Saturday, July 10, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 3.
Daniel R. Salitrik is a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology in Photographic Illustration, a member of American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and a Gallery Member, Silver Eye Gallery, Pittsburgh.
A selection of his photographs can be viewed on the Internet at foliolights.com. Salitrik explained that the bulk of his work as a photographer is in black and white silver images.
He has slowly transitioned to the digital image, causing him to explore the color digital image.
His style has many influences, but it has evolved from pre-World War II documentary photography.
In the past Artist of the Pike exhibitions, much of the focus has been on the sites and historic buildings along the National Road.
In this exhibit, Daugherty said visitors will see images of the people, the places they work and places they gather and just have good times. It is important to note that Salitrik does not crop his images. He shoots full frame, prints full frame and thereby lets the viewfinder be the boundary of personal vision.
Those interested in the art of photography as it relates to local history will find the “People of the Pike” exhibition particularly interesting.
In other news, the very strange and unusual Frank L. Melega painting the museum put on display in April continues to be a mystery. Visitors are asked to stop by and give their thoughts and speculations regarding the origins of this peculiar painting.
Visitors also can purchase Frank L. Melega Limited Editions, original watercolors and original drawings.