The artwork submitted for Allied Artists of Johnstown’s summer exhibit is as varied as the artists who created it.

The members-only show will be on display through June 30 at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County, 1217 Menoher Blvd., Westmont.

Lida Hood of Northern Cambria, vice president of Allied Artists and show co-chairwoman, said she can’t think of any art medium that is not represented in the show.

“There’s just about everything,” she said.

“It’s a nice selection. There’s not just one medium. We represent them all – something for everyone.”

Innovative techniques

There also are new, innovative techniques represented, including a print pull-off method involving Plexiglas and dishwashing liquid, which Hood used for a mixed media.

Martha Nelson of Johnstown, also a co-chairwoman, has done every kind of painting from acrylic to watercolor.

She has three acrylics of flowers in the show.

Hood said there are 62 pieces submitted by 28 artists.

“This is a little larger than normal for the summer show,” she said.

“Last year, we had the summer show at Art Works, which is good for large, format pieces. We alternate between Art Works and the arts center.”

Allied Artists has four shows a year, including two at AmeriServ Financial, one at Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center on the Pitt-Johnstown campus and the current one.

For the other three shows, new members are welcome.

Amateur, semi-professional or professional artists ages 18 and older can join Allied Artists by submitting two or more works during any of the three juried shows.

If the work is accepted by the juror for inclusion in the show, the artist automatically becomes a member of Allied Artists.

The winners

This year’s award winners come from varied media.

“Beach Bums” by Christine Meyers of Westmont, a colored-pencil depiction of a row of children in beach chairs on the beach, won the E. Jeanne Gleason Award.

“Jellyfish” by Joy Fairbanks of Blairsville, a black-and-white digital photograph, won the Allied Artists’ Choice Award No. 1.

“Peonies” by Nadine Toth of Loretto, a watercolor closeup of large, pink flowers, won the Robert E. Thomas Esquire Award.

“Nevermore” by Donna Holdsworth of Portage, a combination of acrylic, mixed media and collage depicting a girl and a raven, won the Allied Artists’ Choice Award No. 2.

“Untitled” by Sam Howard of Westmont, an oil painting depicting a large kettle and loaf of bread, won the Ron Corl Award.

“Reflections” by Alan Rauch of the West End section of Johnstown, an acrylic painting depicting a red-roofed house reflected in a pond, won the Allied Artists’ Choice Award No. 3.  

Exceptional artwork                        

Juror Melissa Kuntz of Pittsburgh thought there was a lot of strong work to select from and had a very difficult time selecting the award winners.

“Since I am a representational painter, I am naturally drawn to realism,” Kuntz said in her juror’s statement.

“There was a wide range of mediums represented, including some very interesting three-dimensional works, collages, watercolors and paintings.”

“I enjoyed the variety of subject matter that the artists utilized, and I felt that this was a very strong show. Best of luck in the future to all the talented artists in this exhibition. I am very pleased to have had a chance to view all the great work on display.”

Kuntz is an associate professor and art department chairwoman at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

She holds a master’s degree from State University of New York at Purchase and a bachelor’s degree from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.

Kuntz has written reviews for Art in America and the Pittsburgh City Paper, while also maintaining a studio practice.

Some of the more whimsical submissions include metal sculptures depicting tortoises, a frog and a grasshopper by Alan Lichtenfels of Westmont and a large, freestanding cardboard and vinyl Chapstick by Bob Hovanec, also of Westmont.

In addition to Allied Artists’ members, the artwork of recipients of the organization’s scholarships will be on display.

Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who intend to advance their education in the field of visual arts.

Hood said four out of the seven recipients entered work in the show and received a one-year membership to Allied Artists.

Max Fedore of Richland School District has two untitled pieces, a scratchboard leopard and a graphite drawing of delicate flowers.

He will go on to study film and television at New York University.

Molly Jane Zindash of Bishop McCort Catholic has “It Came From the Sea,” a drawing and mask featuring seashells, and an acrylic self-portrait.

She will study graphic design at Seton Hill University.

Alissa Holt of Somerset Area has a print and “3 Pottery Pieces.”

She will study art education at Edinboro University.

Jared David Adams of Forest Hills has “Steaming Through,” an acrylic featuring a steam locomotive, and an untitled acrylic.

He will study graphic design at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Scholarship recipients who did not submit work to the show are Abigail Yesenko of Forest Hills, who will study graphic design at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh; Pauline Johncola of Bishop McCort Catholic, who will study art education and studio art at IUP; and Avery Wood of Bishop McCort Catholic, who will study graphic design at IUP.

On display

What: Summer exhibit by Allied Artists of Johnstown.

When: Through June 30.

Where: Community Arts Center of Cambria County, 1217 Menoher Blvd., Westmont.

Information: 255-6515.

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