Through the end of the month, Westmoreland County Community College is offering an art exhibit honoring two professors and campus leaders who helped develop programs at the school.
The show, titled “Founders,” features works from Gregory Lee Hricenak and Robert Myers. It will be on display in the Art Gallery in the Science Innovation Center on the Youngwood campus through Oct. 29. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays.
A reception is planned from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday in the gallery.
Both helped develop art programs at WCCC, starting in 1977 when Hricenak joined the college. Myers joined the faculty in 1983. They collaborated to establish several degree programs in the arts.
In the late 1970s, Hricenak implemented a graphics department at WCCC with the goal of providing in-house graphic design and production. He also developed the Graphic Arts associate degree program.
Myers created the Multimedia associate degree program.
Hricenak and Myers worked together to create an associate degree in Commercial Art. Myers later worked with Kathy Dlugos, associate professor of art, to develop the Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree. WCCC later added options in Art Therapy, Graphic Design and Studio Art.
Hricenak’s vision of teaching art students how to make a career with creative skills continues with WCCC’s partnership with Bridgeway Creative Business Accelerator “to ensure career pathways for students through curriculum, internships, mentorships and networking,” according to the school.
Hricenak died in 2004, at 57.
Myers is retired but remains active in the art programs at the college.