Work by local students will be a focal point of this year’s Greensburg ArtsWalk — including vinyl records on display in businesses and an exhibit celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday.
This is the seventh year for ArtsWalk, a day highlighting local artists and musicians throughout downtown Greensburg. It is a collaboration between the Westmoreland Cultural Trust, the Westmoreland Museum of American Art and Seton Hill University.
Artwork, live music and dance performances are included in the event, set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18.
The event coincides with Greensburg Salem’s fourth annual arts auction, which raises money for the high school’s National Art Honors Society. Twenty-two high school students painted vinyl records, donated by CD Warehouse in Hempfield, said art teacher Darryl Audia.
Records feature designs such as Peanuts characters, skyscapes and scenes from the “Alien” movies, he said.
The records are on display in 20 Greensburg area businesses — including Artisans of Hands & Heart, Beeghly & Co. Jewelers, Green Beacon Gallery, Greensburg YMCA, Jaffre’s Restaurant & Bar and Nico Bakery and Cafe.
Those interested in making a bid can visit 32auctions.com/artvinyl. They will be on display in stores and up for auction until the end of April.
It is an honor for Greensburg Salem students’ work to be on display during ArtsWalk, Audia said.
“It’s a great event, and there’s so many people involved,” he said. “It changes every year, yet we know that this is something on our checklist that we’re going to participate in every year.”
‘America 250’ to be celebrated during ArtsWalk
Greensburg Salem High School students are among a group of nearly 90 contributing to another component of ArtsWalk — an America 250 exhibit at the Westmoreland Museum. Middle and high school students from Hempfield Area, Greensburg Central Catholic and Penn-Trafford also will participate, said Michael Carsone, the museum’s studio program manager.
The exhibit is meant to complement the museum’s ongoing “Steel Valley Visions” showcase dedicated to Western Pennsylvania’s steel era, Carsone said. Students were tasked with creating two-dimensional art highlighting the diversity, complexity and creativity of the nation in their submissions.
“It could be a powerful moment from American history or what freedom, justice and democracy means,” he said, “but also it could just be your family’s cultural heritage in America or a tribute to unsung heroes in local communities.
“It could be your dreams and hopes for your future and the next 250 years.”
‘Explore the arts in our town’
Visitors of the museum during ArtsWalk also will be able to contribute to the 250th anniversary celebration, said Elle Marshall, public programs and community engagement manager. Participants will be given a piece of paper to write or draw a reflection on their experience living in the U.S.
Nick Lenz, the Cultural Trust’s education and engagement manager, looks forward to ArtsWalk every year.
“I think that the coolest thing and the reason why we keep doing it is because of the amount of people who come out to support all of the local arts organizations in Greensburg,” Lenz said.
The event is free to attend. This will be the first year a shuttle service is provided to attendees, he said.
Two 20-person vehicles will run continuously from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., stopping at six locations: the museum, the Palace Theatre, near the Seton Hill Arts Center on Otterman Street, along North Main Street and at Stage Right on West 4th Street.
The Cultural Trust also will host an artisan market, featuring local artists and vendors, at the Palace Theatre. Food and drinks from Greensburg-based Honeybee Bubble Tea and Scottdale-based Bubble Waffles will be provided. Greensburg acoustic duo String Theory will perform, Lenz said.
“I think it’s a great time for our community to be able to explore the arts in our town and in our county,” he said.