Greeted by vibrant colors and soothing scenes, attendees of the Greensburg Art Center’s latest exhibit are sure to be put at ease, said Secretary Janice Decker.
The art center, located at 230 Todd School Road in Hempfield, is holding its annual member show, which features 56 pieces — including paintings, photography, pottery and sculpture.
Decker and art center President Rose Sovyak — a retired school psychologist and retired school counselor, respectively — selected the theme of “Be Calm in Your Heart” to guide members’ submissions.
“There’s so much turmoil in the world today, and we just thought people would benefit from a nice calm,” Decker said.
The show will be paired with a mindful art class held by member Patricia Argyros from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 22, said Vice President Doris Wood.
“I think it’s more abstract,” Wood said. “(Patricia) has certain questions she asks you to think about, cues that she gives you …Whatever comes to your mind, you start painting.”
The class will incorporate mandalas, Decker said — complex geometric designs that come from spiritual traditions such as Buddhism.
“Lots of times, you just get into a mandala and zone out while you’re working on that,” she said. “You try to get into a zen place or a zone.”
The art center hosts its member show annually to give its more than 300 members an opportunity to feature their work in an exhibit, Decker said.
“Some of these people are professional artists. Some are retired or current art teachers. Some of them are just hobbyists or enthusiasts of art,” she said. “But it doesn’t matter in the show. Everybody’s equal when they enter the show.”
Previous member shows have drawn 150 attendees, Wood said. She is hopeful the exhibit will inspire the community to give art a try.
“When I go to an art gallery, I get inspired and I want to go home and paint,” she said. “I might not have painted for a couple days and I come in and I’m like ‘Oh, I’ve got to get to it.’”
The member show will run through Feb. 27. The exhibit is free to attend. The art center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Cash prizes were awarded to the top three pieces, seven honorable mentions and the piece that best emulates the theme. Awardees were selected by Ernesto Camacho Jr., art director of the Manos Gallery in Tarentum.
