Inspirati & Aociati
I have been working on building my local creative network for the past couple of years, and the
Associated Artists of Pittsburgh (AAP) is one of the newer organizations that I’ve become a member of.
I’ve learned in a relatively short period of time that I’ve enjoyed being a part of this passionate group
of artists and that the long history of the associated membership has produced a dedicated staff and
body of skilled individuals. I appreciate the time and attention paid to this organization and on behalf
of its members. This organization is the oldest and longest-continuously-exhibiting organization in
the country for visual artists. The original founder, John L. Porter asked 99 of his friends to donate
funds for five years to purchase artwork from members of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh. The
work would then be gifted to local public schools in Pittsburgh. This became known as the “Gift of
Art”, and these friends along with John became known as the “100 Friends of Pittsburgh Art”. The
Annual Exhibition of work has been held at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art
And The Carnegie Museum of Art and has included artists like Andy Warhol, and Mary Cassatt among
many other incredibly talented artists. The 2023 Annual Exhibition will be held in August at the Miller
ICA. More information can be found below on the history of the AAP.
Since joining the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, I’ve participated in a few shows. A piece from my
“Lawnchair Larry” series was selected for the New Member Exhibition and I sold a couple of pieces from
my “With Love from Amsterdam” series at the 112 x 112 show, honoring their 112-year anniversary.
One of the most fulfilling opportunities that I’ve had since joining the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh
was to be chosen as a Visiting Artist in the VACOP program. The Visual Arts Career Orientation Program
allows high school students interested in careers in the arts to meet with local artists to learn about
their work, what inspires them, and a bit about their technique(s). I spoke with the students in the VACOP
about my work as an InterArtist, and about three artists that have inspired me: Kara Walker, David
Hockney, and Etel Adnan. I enjoyed this as I benefitted greatly from my own participation in the honors
programming at George Mason University during my undergraduate studies when I was given the
opportunity to meet with and speak with many different artists in their studios in New York City. The
VACOP is a fantastic program, and I’m very pleased to have been a part of it.
I look forward to what is in store during this next year with Associated Artists of Pittsburgh. For more
information on this organization, please see the links below:
Please read more here about the history of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh:
https://www.aapgh.org/history-of-the-aap
The Associated Artists of Pittsburgh New Member Exhibit:
https://www.aapgh.org/2022-new-member-exhibition-aap
The Associated Artists of Pittsburgh 112 x 112 Show:
https://www.aapgh.org/112-x-112
The Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Visual Arts Career Orientation Program:
https://www.aapgh.org/education
For more information on Larry Walters, “Lawnchair Larry”, please see the links from The Smithsonian
Air and Space Museum and The Smithsonian Magazine below:
https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/chair-lawn-larry-walters/nasm_A20181388000
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/flying-lawn-chair-180972974/
