Artists’ Workshops Respond to Market Square Public Art
Market Square becomes the artists’ studio
PITTSBURGH, PA - The Office of Public Art and Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership announce three workshops in concert with the public artwork currently in the heart of Market Square, A Winter Landscape Cradling Bits of Sparkle, by international artist Jennifer Wen Ma. Workshops take place in rain, snow, or shine under a tent in Market Square. In case of extreme weather, workshops will be relocated indoors. Notes: All workshop materials for the project will be provided, but you can also bring your own. Workshop fees are $10. Registration is online at www.publicartpittsburgh.org or by calling 412-391-2060 ext. 237.
On display through April 12, A Winter Landscape Cradling Bits of Sparkle features a forest of live trees, offering a meditative, contemplative space in the midst of Pittsburgh’s urban core. The artwork features many varietals of trees painted black with Chinese ink, blooming and evolving, breaking through the black ink with the welcoming of spring. Jennifer Wen Ma is known for her role as the artist for the Beijing Olympics, and exhibits her work, worldwide. She will open an original opera on March 21 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This is the artist’s premiere installation in Pittsburgh.
Botanical Illustration Workshop, with artist Robin Menard
Saturday, March 21, 2015, 10am – noon
Join us on the first day of spring and learn to illustrate bamboo with botanical illustration artist, Robin Menard. Participants will be given a tour of the artwork and will create their illustrations onsite. All skill levels are welcome, ages 16 and over.
Robin Menard is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists and the Allegheny Highlands Botanical Art Society. Specializing in capturing her subjects in realistic detail, her botanical, animal, and landscape paintings have been exhibited at Phipps Conservatory, libraries, and galleries throughout western and central Pennsylvania. A lifelong artist and graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Robin has a certificate in Botanical Illustration from Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, where she teaches Botanical Drawing.
Landscape Painting Workshop, with painter Robert Kluz
Saturday, March 28, 2015, 10am – noon
The trees in A Winter Landscape will be changing, turning green and blooming. Learn how to paint a watercolor landscape including the newly found color with artist Robert Kluz. All skill levels are welcome, ages 16 and over. Participants will be given a tour of the artwork and will create their watercolor paintings onsite. All skill levels are welcome, ages 16 and over.
Robert Kluz is a retired elementary and high school art teacher from 1966 - 2000. As a trained watercolorist, he has demonstrated the medium throughout southwestern Pennsylvania. Kluz lives in Sewickley.
Writing Workshop with writers Laurie McMillan and Sheila Kelly
Saturday, April 11, 2015, 1 - 3pm, Market Square
Writers of all skill levels are invited to join writers Laurie McMillan and Sheila Kelly for a generative writing workshop in response to A Winter Landscape Cradling Bits of Sparkle. More information will be available at publicartpittsburgh.org in the coming weeks.
The Office of Public Art (OPA) is a public private partnership between the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council and the City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning. Founded in 2005, the purpose of OPA is to provide technical assistance and educational programs about public art in the Pittsburgh Region. OPA works with organizations and individuals in the public and private sector to facilitate the development of and information about public art.