Out & About: Penn State New Ken goes 'off the wall' to support arts

Shirley McMarlin
Monday, June 17, 2019 12:01 a.m. | Monday, June 17, 2019 12:01 a.m.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Executive chef Terry Gill fills a table with artistically designed fruit and vegetables during the Off the Wall pARTy, held June 14 at Penn State New Kensington.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

From left: Jamie Saporito of Plum, Andrea Adolph of Natrona Heights and Candee Christy of Lower Burrell gather for a photo June 14 during the Off the Wall pARTy at Penn State New Kensington.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Exhibiting artist Corey Pistininzi (artwork shown) and his wife, Alyssa Pistininzi, pose for a photo June 14 during the Off the Wall pARTy at Penn State New Kensington.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

George Williams paints during the Off the Wall pARTy at Penn State New Kensington on June 14.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

From left: Don and Kim Ryan of Lower Burrell join Joe and Lisa Locke of Lower Burrell for a photo June 14 during the Off the Wall pARTy at Penn State New Kensington.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

From left: Josh and Kary Milan of Greensburg join Dawn and Mike Roberts of Harrison City for a photo June 14 during the Off the Wall pARTy at Penn State New Kensington.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

From left: Bob Weil of New Kensington, featured artist Rodney Allen Trice of Brooklyn (art shown back) and Dr. Karl Salatka of New Kensington gather for a photo June 14 during the Off the Wall pARTy at Penn State New Kensington.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

From left: Penn State New Kensington campus Chancellor Kevin Snider and his wife, Sarah, join Patti and Bud Gibbons for a photo June 14 during the Off the Wall pARTy at Penn State New Kensington.

Arts and culture are alive and well at Penn State New Kensington, evidenced by the third annual Off the Wall pARTy on June 14.

Party-goers found themselves immersed in art, and the proceeds will benefit the cultural arts fund “to enhance arts and humanities programming and education,” according to Kary Milan, organizer and director of development and alumni relations.

The evening kicked off with a VIP reception, with special guest artist Rodney Allen Trice.

A Penn State grad and former magazine art director in New York City, Trice is now a professor of practice at the Penn State main campus. He displayed pieces of his sculptural-type work incorporating found materials and an interactive video installation.

Trice was accompanied by his partner, Eddie Villegas; his mother, Harriet Trice; and his aunt, Barb Leeper.

VIPs also enjoyed tapas, champagne and music by the husband-wife duo, Vida Loves Donnie.

There was more art, more food, more music and a lot more fun once the main event got underway.

That included a pop-up gallery and sale by artists Michael Bestwick, Dan Burfield, Sal Greco, Ryder Henry, Bill Miller, Corey Pistininzi and Stevo Sadvary. Sadvary also oversaw a create-your-own-mosaic activity.

Representatives of Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse hosted a Reuse-a-Palooza Station where guests could make more art from reclaimed materials.

Pittsburgh artist George Williams was found amidst his “Art Madness” speed-painting show, conjuring up two Pittsburgh-themed paintings and one Penn State-themed painting destined for the evening’s live auction. A silent auction offered more art.

“Artist Palate” hors d’oeuvre and dessert stations were laden with photo-worthy fare.

Following the live auction, revelers danced the rest of the night away to music by acoustic cover band Belly Up.

Seen: Chancellor Kevin Snider with Sarah Snider, event co-organizer Tina Booth, Bud and Patti Gibbons, Karl Salatka, Robert “Doc” and Linda Mueller, Don and Kim Ryan, Chuck and Trudi Booth, Matt and Holly Plocki, Kelli Brisbane and Dashiel Harster, David and Lori Omatick and George and Marilee Fetkovich.

Also, Josh Milan, Alyssa Pistininzi, Barbara Arnold, Jim Ciuca, Debbie Maszgay, Paul and Pat Hollinger, Jason Greenwald and Vera Spina Greenwald, John Spadaro, Corinne Coulson and Bob and Jeanne Weil.