Out & About: Ligonier museum hosts plein air painting session

In anticipation of reopening to the public, the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley invited area artists to a plein air painting session Wednesday.

Fortunately, lowering clouds and a few rain drops gave way to sun as artists set up easels on the wide back lawn, under shady trees and around the lush flower gardens at the Ligonier Township site.

Artists Mike Keim and Paula Martino traveled from North Huntingdon for the day. Both members of the Norwin Art League, the pair said they paint together every Sunday morning, but were happy to have some company.

Other painters echoed the sentiment, saying it was their first semi-public outing since the covid-19 shutdown began.

The museum will welcome visitors back beginning on June 9, according to site coordinator Kristin Miller, who said she’s been busy in the meantime managing virtual programs and creating local artist features.

That day will serve as the opening of “In Search of Beauty, With a Brush: Robert Bowden,” featuring what Miller calls “amazing, beautiful watercolors.”

A virtual tour of the exhibition with the Pittsburgh-based artist will go online the day prior on the museum website.

Also opening will be “50 Years of Woodstock: The Collection of Mark Del Costello.” Both exhibitions were pushed back from May 1 due to the shutdown and are scheduled to run through Aug. 2.

Also seen painting: Ann Cehula, Sharyn Sekora, Doreen Currie, Karen Jurkovic, Becky Mormack, Pat Dickun and Aven Hsiao, who made the longest trek, from Wexford, Allegheny County.