2008 Artist of the Pike
Ray W. Forquer
Saturday, May 17 to Sunday July 27, 2008
Artist Ray Forquer first met Frank L. Melega in the 1970’s at the Washington Art Association where they both taught. “Mr. Melega encouraged me to get more exposure for my art, to join the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, and to send out my work to major exhibitions.” Forquer said. Both artists shared an admiration for the work of Washington County native artist, Malcolm Parcell.
Forquer was particularly impressed with Melega’s paintings depicting the region and the history of the Coal and Coke Era. “Being a student of history and researching historical subjects is one approach, but Mr. Melega witnessed his subjects first hand” Forquer explained. Now Ray Forquer has been chosen as 2008 Artist of the Pike at the Frank L. Melega Art Museum. The selection of the Artist of the Pike is based on various criteria. "First and foremost, it is the quality of the artwork, but we also strive to have the Artist of the Pike reflect in some way the community, images and history of the National Road. With Ray Forquer, we get it all, and much, much more. Ray is an accomplished artist, a noted historian, and was a friend to Frank L. Melega" said Patrick Daugherty, Director of the Melega Art Museum.
Ray Forquer is recognized for the popular appeal and historical accuracy of his work. During the past thirty-five years, Forquer has received praise from critics for his ability to combine glimpses of history with his native Western Pennsylvania landscapes. His landscape paintings, historical works, portraits, and limited editions are included in an ever-growing number of corporate and private collections.
Several of his paintings have been chosen to illustrate historical books dealing with the Civil War the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 and decisions in the Presidency of George Washington. His paintings have also appeared in several national magazines, newspaper articles and television documentaries.
Forquer’s original works have won many awards and have been included in numerous Washington and Jefferson College National Painting Shows; at the Chautauqua Art Association Gallery at Chautauqua New York; at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg, Pennsylvania; at Stifel Gallery of Oglebay Institute, Wheeling, West Virginia; The Three Rivers Arts Festival, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; the Butler Institute of American Art and in many private, college and university exhibits.
The artist is a member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Society of Artists and the South Hills Art League. He is the owner of Countryside Prints Inc., a publisher of quality limited editions. Forquer maintains a studio and the "Gallery 200", at 31 North Main Street, Washington, Pennsylvania.
Visit Mr. Forquer's webstie: http:www.countrysideprints.com
WASHINGTON AT FORT NECESSITY
(detail) Acrylic
