North Hills Art Center work displayed at library in McCandless

A collection of artwork from members of the North Hills Art Center in Ross is on display at Northland Public Library, 300 Cumberland Road, McCandless.

There are 67 pieces of art on the upper floor of the library through Oct. 1.

“This display allows our artists to share their work with members of the public who may not have discovered our art center gallery,” said Kim Freithaler, North Hills Art Center executive director.

The center is a nonprofit organization that has been around for more than 60 years.

“We’re kind of like a secret little gem there on Babcock (Boulevard). Our mission really is to provide a place for people to view and display their art,” said Diane Pontoriero, the art center’s board president, who has four paintings displayed at the library.

Pontoriero, who lives in Richland, also is a featured artist in the gallery of the North Hills Art Center until Aug. 9 with her collection “A Seasonal Reflection: Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve.”

She runs the pottery studio at the center and also teaches art. Those familiar with the area may recognize the multicolored tree mural on the side of the building that she and Freithaler painted.

The art center invites people of all ages and abilities to come take classes or become a member. Anyone is allowed to stop in and look at the art in the center’s gallery. About five artists are featured each year, Pontoriero said.

Several events are also held by the art center during the year, including a winter holiday artisan market from Nov. 22 to Dec. 14.

The organization often raises money for local nonprofits, benefiting causes such as those that help animals, veterans and refugees, according to Pontoriero. The art center also provides a financial aid scholarship to offer free classes for those who qualify.

“We always try to give back. We are always trying to bring out the arts to everyone,” Pontoriero said.

Another sample of art being shown at Northland is a “Rockin’ Rooster” mixed-media collage from artist and North Hills Art Center member Maggie O’Lear of Pine. She and her husband had an egg business on a farm in Hickory, so she has a particular penchant for roosters.

“I love their colors and features and personalities,” she said.

She is painting two dozen roosters for a September “24 Minis” art show at the Manos Gallery in Tarentum.

O’Lear decided to focus on painting when her father died. He had told her, “You’d better do something that you like every day, besides work.” She also volunteers at the art center.

Northland Public Library has featured the art organization in previous years, according to Nicholas Yon, director of communications.

“We’re super happy to partner with NHAC each year for a display of amazing local artwork, in a variety of styles and mediums, for an art display on our upper level. Our current NHAC Art Display will be up until the very beginning of October, and we encourage all to come check out this amazing local artwork and to visit the NHAC,” Yon said.

If anyone is interested in purchasing a painting on display at the library, call the North Hills Art Center at 412-364-3622.

The art center’s gallery viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and also 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays. For more information about the art center’s membership, classes and open sessions, visit www.northhillsartcenter.org.