Greensburg Salem students auction hand-painted chairs in advance of Greensburg ArtsWalk

Greensburg residents stopping in the city’s downtown businesses this month may start to notice a pattern: vibrant hand-painted wooden chairs displayed in the storefronts.

The trend is no coincidence. Seventeen Greensburg Salem High School art students spent about a month decorating chairs to be put up for auction in advance of Greensburg’s annual ArtsWalk on Saturday, April 26. The proceeds from the auction will support the district’s National Arts Honors Society.

This is the third year for the auction, a collaboration between Greensburg Salem and the Greensburg Business and Professional Association, also known as Shop Greensburg. Students painted skateboard decks last year.

The 17 students, some working in teams, designed 15 chairs inspired by themes such as childhood cartoons, superheros, fairytales and pop culture. They will be on display in downtown Greensburg businesses until the end of April, when the bidding window closes, art teacher Darryl Audia said.

“It’s selfless. It’s impressive,” Audia said, noting the students don’t get to keep the artwork they created for the auction.

“It’s great that you are constantly getting surprised by your students. They’re still surprising me with how good they are, how talented they are and how generous they are.”

Participating students include: Lola Slavnik, Kerrick Shaw, Jayelle Goudy, Paige Kline, Henna Brinker, Lily Slavnik, Makayla Solorzano, Keira Carnes, Hayden Russell, Arianny Rodriguez Toribio, Treasure Finklea, Addison Daugherty, Mason Kuhn, Kaidence Gregg, Ty Schlesman, J’Taime Hill, Lauren King, Katie Barry, Val Dinnuno, Sydney Dainty, Laila Kerns, Adrien Isenberg, Asher Donovan, Isaac Rebar and Hailey Magill.

Auction supports art honors society students

About 20 students are enrolled in the honors society, which has been run off and on at the high school — depending on student interest — for 15 years, Audia said. The students showcase their work at local exhibits, participate in community art projects and take art field trips to places such as the Andy Warhol Museum on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.

“I feel like (the society) provides recognition for a kid that works very hard and cares very much about their craft and self-development and their improvement in the disciplines that we teach,” Audia said.

“So often, you see people get awards for different things in public schools that are equally important,” he said, “but you don’t always see that for the visual arts. … They hold themselves to a higher standard when they are part of this organization.”

To bid on a chair, visit 32auctions.com/gschairs. Bidding starts at $30, including a “buy now” option for $300.

For a list of businesses displaying the chairs, visit shopgreensburgpa.com and select the “Events” tab to be directed to the Student Art Exhibition & Auction.

ArtsWalk slated for 6th year

Photos of the students’ work will be on display in the Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s “Art in the Alley,” between the Union Trust Building and the Palace Theatre’s courtyard. The students also will be recognized at noon Saturday, April 26, in the courtyard during the Cultural Trust’s ArtsWalk.

Businesses and organizations throughout downtown Greensburg participate in the free event, including the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Seton Hill, Stage Right, Westmoreland Performing Arts, the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, Petagogy and Crossroads Boutique. Activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Each attendee will be given a “passport” that can be stamped at each participating organization they visit. The completed passports will be entered into a basket raffle.

Live music and food will also be available, said Sandee Williamson, the Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s director of development.

“It’s really our mission to provide our community with arts and culture,” Williamson said. “We really want to be able to provide community events without a price barrier — free community events wherever we can.”

The event has been held annually since 2018, except for a pause in 2020 and 2021 because of the covid-19 pandemic.