Out & About: Women artists shine in Seton Hill University exhibit

Shirley McMarlin
Friday, Oct. 4, 2019 1:13 p.m. | Friday, Oct. 4, 2019 1:13 p.m.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

(From left) Seton Hill University’s Harlan Gallery director Todd Keyser, Women in Art seminar instructor Maureen Vissat Kochanek and Pati Beachley, associate professor of art and director of the university’s art program, at the Oct. 3 reception for the gallery’s Regional Women in Art Exhibit.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

First place award-winner Kristy Dubinsky of Irwin with her work, “Josephine’s Journey,” during the Oct. 3 reception for the Regional Women in Art Exhibit in the Harlan Gallery at the Seton Hill University Art Center.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Molly Zindash of Greensburg poses with her Third Place-winning artwork during an Oct. 3 reception for the Regional Women in Art Exhibit in the Harlan Gallery at the Seton Hill University Art Center.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Student jurors Madeline Drexler (left) of Pittsburgh, a studio art major, and Kenzie Zoccoli of New Castle, an art therapy major, pose with “efflorescence,” a piece by artist Patty Gallagher, during the Oct. 3 reception for the Regional Women in Art Exhibit in the Harlan Gallery at the Seton Hill University Art Center.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Stuart Thompson (left) with his wife, Nora Thompson, recipient of the Second Place Award, announced during the Oct. 3 reception for the Regional Women in Art Exhibit in the Harlan Gallery at the Seton Hill University Art Center.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

(From left) Student jurors Kacey Murphy of Columbus, Ohio, an art history major; Leah Bisk of Ruffsdale, a studio art major, and Sam Daughenbaugh of Greensburg, a graphic design major, at the Oct. 3 reception for the Regional Women in Art Exhibi tin the Harlan Gallery at the Seton Hill University Art Center.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

(From left) Honorable mention recipients Mary Ellen Raneri of Latrobe, Linda Kaulius of Champion and Barbara Kubala of Indiana attend the Oct. 3 reception for the Regional Women in Art Exhibit in the Harlan Gallery at the Seton Hill University Art Center.

Art exhibition jurors often say how difficult it is to choose pieces for a show, not to mention the added difficulty of choosing those deserving of awards.

Imagine the difficulty, then, of having multiple jurors come to a meeting of the minds.

That was the scenario for Seton Hill University’s biennial Regional Women Art Exhibit, running through Oct. 30 in the Harlan Gallery in the school’s downtown Greensburg art center.

Members of an upper level art history seminar taught by Maureen Vissat Kochanek served as jurors.

During an Oct. 3 reception, juror and junior art therapy major Kenzie Zoccoli said that class members brought varying perspectives influenced by age, gender, experience and taste to the task.

“We all argued for the pieces we loved,” she said.

From 150 works submitted by regional women artists, 59 pieces from about 40 artists were chosen. The pieces represent various 2-D and 3-D mediums.

Also at the reception, gallery director Todd Keyser announced these awards:

First place: Kristy Dubinsky, “Josephine’s Journey”

Second: Nora Thompson, “Women” series

Third: Molly Zindash, “Mother”

Honorable Mentions: Linda Kaulius and Jasmine Lear, “Mindfull”; Barbara Kubala, “Evolved From a Doodle in a Board Meeting”; and Mary Ellen Ranieri, “My Boss Told Me To Go Home and Crochet Doilies.”