Out & About: Greater Latrobe Art Conservation Trust honors longtime leader

The treasures of the Greater Latrobe School District’s permanent art collection aren’t all hanging on the walls.

They include the people who have helped to expand and preserve it since the first pieces were acquired in 1936, according to Superintendent Michael Porembka.

Among those he considers priceless gems is Barbara Nakles, longtime chair of the GLSD Art Conservation Trust, who was honored at the annual 100 Friends of Art Gala on Thursday evening at Greater Latrobe Senior High School.

School directors formed the Trust in 1991 to oversee the care and conservation of the collection, at the behest of the school’s solicitor, the late Ned Nakles. His wife Barbara was involved from the outset as historian and archivist and, from 1999 to 2021, as chair. She continues to serve as a trustee.

Taking the stage amidst a standing ovation, Nakles said, “It’s difficult to read these remarks with tears in my eyes.”

She added that she wanted to share the recognition with everyone who has been involved with the collection for its 86 years, and on a lighter note, was glad that her sons were in the audience to hear the accolades she received.

In addition to recognizing an individual supporter of the Trust, the gala serves as an opportunity for members of the trust, called The 100 Friends of Art, to vote on a new addition to the collection.

Works under consideration are selected by high school student council members from among those included in the Mr. Fred Rogers Fine Arts Regional Juried Exhibition at Latrobe Art Center and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Council for the Arts Annual Regional Juried Exhibition at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley.

Following a presentation of those under consideration by student docents, students and gala guests vote for one top choice. The top five picks from each group are presented to to the student council, which picks one work to join the collection.

During the voting interlude, guests were treated to musical selections by the high school jazz ensemble.

Students and guests agreed on two paintings: Elizabeth Roseborough’s “Down the Lane” and Rachel Kling’s “Presence.”

Other student choices were “Red Brings Happiness,” by Robert Huckestein; “Caught Up in the Clouds,” by Cora Smith; and “All Together Now,” by Mark Weleski.

The 100 Friends also favored “Coal for Coke,” by Paula Martino; “Tyger Tyger,” by Lydia Mack; and “Hands of the Future,” by Diana Williams.

The winner will be announced following the next meeting of the student council.

Docents presenting the works included Alexis McMichael, Henry Krom, Shae O’Barto, Rachel Little, Issabella Muir, Nina Schultz, Kyle Shaffer, Emma Cowan, Kiro Shaker and Cameron Baker.

Other selected artists included Adalberto Ortiz, Robert Bowden, Ronald Nigro, Joseph Ryznar, Elizabeth Sickles, Jack Mayer, Kathy Sartoris Rafferty and Patricia Dickun.

The program included a welcome by gala chair Nicole Gooder and remarks by Trust Chair Keith Visconti.

Seen: Jessica and Joe Golden, Amy Balko, Georgia Teppert, Helene Conway-Long and Tom Long, Doug Evans, Linda Earnest, Ken Shimko and Molly Robb Shimko, Michael Tusay, Joe Bellack, Anthony DiVittis, Marty Singer, Ginny Hutchinson, Sandra Marks, Richard and Eileen Stoner, Keith and Shirleah Kelly, William DeBernardi, Alexis Dillon, Ramie Ortiz, Bibiana Boerio, Linda McKenna Boxx, Annie Urban, Bill and Judy Scheeren and Gene and Barbara Kravits.