Inspiration & Association
I have been working on building my local creative network for the past couple of years, and the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh (AAP) is one of the newer organizations that I’ve become a member of. I’ve learned in a relatively short period of time that I’ve enjoyed being a part of this passionate group of artists and that the long history of the associated membership has produced a dedicated staff and body of skilled individuals. I appreciate the time and attention paid to this organization and on behalf of its members. This organization is the oldest and longest-continuously-exhibiting organization in the country for visual artists. The original founder, John L. Porter asked 99 of his friends to donate funds for five years to purchase artwork from members of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh. The work would then be gifted to local public schools in Pittsburgh. This became known as the “Gift of Art”, and these friends along with John became known as the “100 Friends of Pittsburgh Art”. The Annual Exhibition of work has been held at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art And The Carnegie Museum of Art and has included artists like Andy Warhol, and Mary Cassatt among many other incredibly talented artists. The 2023 Annual Exhibition will be held in August at the Miller ICA. More information can be found below on the history of the AAP.
Since joining the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, I’ve participated in a few shows. A piece from my “Lawnchair Larry” series was selected for the New Member Exhibition and I sold a couple of pieces from my “With Love from Amsterdam” series at the 112 x 112 show, honoring their 112-year anniversary.
One of the most fulfilling opportunities that I’ve had since joining the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh was to be chosen as a Visiting Artist in the VACOP program. The Visual Arts Career Orientation Program allows high school students interested in careers in the arts to meet with local artists to learn about their work, what inspires them, and a bit about their technique(s). I spoke with the students in the VACOP about my work as an InterArtist, and about three artists that have inspired me: Kara Walker, David Hockney, and Etel Adnan. I enjoyed this as I benefitted greatly from my own participation in the honors programming at George Mason University during my undergraduate studies when I was given the opportunity to meet with and speak with many different artists in their studios in New York City. The VACOP is a fantastic program, and I’m very pleased to have been a part of it.
I look forward to what is in store during this next year with Associated Artists of Pittsburgh. For more information on this organization, please see the links below:
Please read more here about the history of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh:
https://www.aapgh.org/history-of-the-aap
The Associated Artists of Pittsburgh New Member Exhibit:
https://www.aapgh.org/2022-new-member-exhibition-aap
The Associated Artists of Pittsburgh 112 x 112 Show:
https://www.aapgh.org/112-x-112
The Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Visual Arts Career Orientation Program:
https://www.aapgh.org/education
For more information on Larry Walters, “Lawnchair Larry”, please see the links from The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and The Smithsonian Magazine below:
https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/chair-lawn-larry-walters/nasm_A20181388000
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/flying-lawn-chair-180972974/
