2006 Artist of the Pike

Daniel R. Salitrik

May 20 - October 22, 2006

“Past, Present, and Future” , a group exhibition, featured over forty-one artists. Painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers, quilters, and more! All of the artists that have had one-person shows,  a few artists that will have a one-person show, and some chosen by the Curator, Patrick Daugherty.

An ambitious first for the Museum.

Artists listed alphabetically:

Helen Alt

Rose Blout

Miguel Burgos

Maria Louisa Calandra

Marcene Clark

Madelyn L. Cindric, 2005 Artist of the Pike

Ellen Daugherty

Patrick Daugherty

Mike DeFazio

David DiPietro

Pat Flannery

Abraham D. Fotta

John Gates

William G. Gordon

Mark Joyner

Samuel N. Kolmen

Mary Kay Karolewics, 2000 Artist of the Pike

Charles S. Kovach

Haeyong Kwon

David J. Lesako, 2001 Artist of the Pike

Stanley Liepack

Toni Robin L’Hommedieu

Marie Lint, 2002 Artist of the Pike

David Lupes

David G. Madlock

W. Hunt Marsteller, 2004 Artist of the Pike

Frank R. Melega

Leonard Mieczkowski

Duke Miecznikowski

Paul O’Hara

Nadine A. Reposky

James Rettinger

Daniel R. Salitrik, 2006 Artist of the Pike

Tonye Lea Sharp

Barbara Jamma Smith

Thomas Sproch

Maura Taylor

Cassandra Vivian, 2003 Artist of the Pike

Sharon Yoder

Arthur Weinstein

Nancy Jessen Winkels

Past, Present, and Future

Group Exhibition

October 28, 2006 - February 11, 2007

Treasures Found!

March 25 - May 15, 2007

The exhibition opened Sunday, March 25, and featured recently discovered artworks and museum debuts by Frank L. Melega. Plus, a few favorites from private collections that haven’t been on exhibition at the museum since it opened in 1999.

The painting which graces the cover of the exhibition postcard was painted by Mr. Melega for the 1959 Presidential Campaign of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. As you know, Mr. Kennedy won, I am certain, in part, because of this large, forty-four inch high poster. But seriously, Mr. Kennedy was just across the river from the museum in California, Pennsylvania for a campaign stop during his bid for the White House. I remember distinctly how excited my neighbor was because she shook hands with the future President at that event.  A memorable day filled with optimism and hope.

The Kennedy painting was joined by a number of artworks that had not been exhibited in the museum before and artworks that haven’t been seen by anyone for decades. The artworks ranged from small drawings and paintings to larger works.

Past Exhibitions:

2007 Artist of the Pike:

The Artists of Washington County,

May 19 - August 19, 2007

For the first time, a geographical area was selected as the Frank L. Melega Art Museum “Artist of the Pike”. The Artists of Washington County collectively were 2007’s Artist of the Pike. The exhibition featured a variety of styles, philosophies, and media. The members of the Artist’s Co-op and the World West Galleries, both located in Washington Pennsylvania, Washington County, were featured. The exhibition included an artwork by Malcolm Parcell (1896-1987), considered by many as Washington County’s greatest artist.

Featured Artists:

Alice Burroughs

Brody Burroughs

Caitlyn Burroughs

Michael Clauson

Barbara Curry

Ray Dunlevy

Ray W. Forquer

Toby Fraley

John Hinderlighter

Regis Innis

Scott Marko

Duke Miecznikowski

Jeffery Moyer

Colleen Nelson

Malcolm Parcell

Kit Paulsen

Susan Phillips

Charlie Pitcher

Gary Postrech

Robin Richards

Michele Soyka-Horosko

Dan Schwartz

Paul Trimmer

Peter West

Jim Winegar

Linda Winegar

Pete Zapadaka

Elizabeth Castonguay Exhibition “Diversity: Evolution of a Theme” Saturday, April 5 to Saturday, May 10, 2008

Nationally known artist Elizabeth Castonguay had big plans for her exhibition at the Frank L. Melega  Art Museum, Brownsville.  Featured was a new twist on the artist’s well  known multi-panel painting “A Tribute to Labor” which utilized  worn tools and  other construction materials.  Debuting was a painting from the artist’s  latest body of work titled, “The Value of Color”.  Also included were a sampling of paintings from the artists last four bodies of work since 2002.

"We were very excited  by this new approach to exhibiting at our museum, the installation  was eight feet by fourteen feet. Elizabeth is an  incredible painter, and as revealed in her artwork a caring human  being." said Patrick Daugherty, Director of the Frank L. Melega Art  Museum. Recently Elizabeth Myers Castonguay’s paintings have won First Place  Awards in both National and Regional art exhibits. They  have been  seen in numerous juried group exhibits at museums in Pennsylvania,  Washington D.C., and New York State. Castonguay exhibits extensively  and her paintings have been seen in national publications and are  owned internationally. More information about the artist can be found  at her website, www.creationartstudio.com.

Elizabeth speaks passionately when saying,  “A celebration of the  similarities and diversity of humanity by all peoples will be the only  key to unlock the door to peace in a world plagued by prejudice,  hatred, and war.  It will be our response to diversity that either  empowers or destroys us.  It is my obligation as an artist to speak  about this issue which is the most important of this millennium.  The  other issues can only  be solved if and when we learn to work as one.”

A TRIBUTE TO LABOR

(details) Acrylic

WASHINGTON AT FORT NECESSITY

(detail) Acrylic

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