Celebrating 20 years, Shadyside art festival in 'perfect spot'

Toni Mann finds painting soothing and a welcome distraction as she continues her recovery from colon cancer treatments.

“Once I am there at my desk, and painting the pieces, I feel normal,” says Mann, who lives in her native Clarion County in the summer and Florida the rest of the year.

She and husband Jay own Toni Mann Pottery, and she will be one of the artists this weekend at the 20th anniversary of Shadyside…The Art Festival on Walnut. Mann has attended all of the previous 19 arts festivals in Shadyside produced by Howard Alan Events.

The Manns create fun and functional clay work mostly based on flowers, vegetables and their signature animal pieces — often referred to as “Mannmade Pottery.” Items range from $25 to $150.

“You can leave it on the counter for someone to look at or fill it with macaroni and cheese,” says Toni Mann, who is inspired by Mexican and Italian pottery because of its vibrancy.

The Manns will be among 200 artists from 30 states participating in the show. Vendors are selected from hundreds of applicants to ensure a diverse array of media, including paintings, sculptures, photography, ceramics, glass, wood, handmade jewelry, collage and mixed media.

“Howard has found the perfect spot and the people who attend the show really appreciate art,” Toni Mann says. “He takes care of the little details such as not having our booths located behind a stage where a band might be playing or having to deal with smoke from food vendors grilling. The artists are his focus. The show is run like a well-oiled machine.”

The fair has a rich history, Alan says.

“Twenty years ago, with the support of the Shadyside Chamber, we came to Walnut Street and found an art show that was on life support,” Alan says. “We collaborated with the chamber to provide the community that we felt was hungry for a quality art fair, with just that. ... Shadyside has always supported our artists and I believe this year will be our best festival ever.”

It's always been a successful show for J.P. Diroll of Allison Park, owner of J.P. Diroll Photography.

“Some of these shows can be intimidating,” Diroll says. “It took me a long time to consider myself an artist. It's easy to get intimidated by high-end art at shows, but Howard is welcoming to all artists, and so are the people who attend the Shadyside arts festival.”

This will be Diroll's fifth year at the summer event. His photos of Pittsburgh, wildlife and other scenes range in price from $5 magnets to $1,300 pieces.

“I try to see the city a little differently,” Diroll says. “And I try to incorporate a little bit of the natural element — trees, reflections … into my broad skyline work. I prefer sunrise because there is good lighting behind the city. It's about capturing that special moment so that someone who walks by my booth at the show will stop and take notice.”

Robin Markowitz of Rockville, Md., hopes her glass jewelry will cause people to pause. She creates a contemporary line of jewelry that sparkles under the name SDJ Designs by Robin Markowitz. Her items range between $65 to $1,200.

“I like to think I create wearable art that can be worn every day,” says Markowitz, who will be here a 17th time. “Creating new designs energizes me. This is one of my favorite shows because Howard is committed to the artists. He brings in an excellent caliber of artists. I also appreciate the level of commitment from the public. The neighborhood opens its arms to us.”

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 412-320-7889 or jharrop@tribweb.com.

Driven to paint

Linda Barnicott was destined to paint this picture.

It exudes the gentle, loving nature of the late Mother Teresa, who will be canonized Sept. 4 by Pope Francis in Rome and become an official saint of the Roman Catholic Church.

“I felt I was called to do this,” says Barnicott of Bethel Park, who will bring the piece to the 20th annual Shadyside … The Art Festival on Walnut. “I have always had a deep admiration for Mother Teresa and her amazing life.”

The story began two years ago when she met a woman at the Delmont Apple Festival and ran into the same woman a week later at Ligonier Days. The woman gave Barnicott two photos of Mother Teresa taken in 1989 in Tijuana, Mexico.

After that, the connections to Mother Teresa kept coming.

Last year, a man who had bought Barnicott's Santa Claus paintings told her he collected Mother Teresa pictures. Then her daughter, Brittany Barnicott who works at St. Vincent DePaul, received a call from a woman who wanted to donate some items, including photos of Mother Teresa. Brittany connected her mom with the woman, who gave permission for Barnicott to paint a scene from one of the pictures.

Four weeks ago, Linda Barnicott began painting and couldn't stop. She would see quotes from Mother Teresa on Facebook and a book about Mother Teresa at First Bethel United Methodist Church where her husband, Tom Barnicott, is a minister.

The original 12-inch by 16.5-inch chalk pastel painting – “The Heart of a Saint” — will be for sale at the festival for $2,800. She also made prints that will be available at the art festival.

“Painting is like raising a child,” Linda Barnicott says. “Letting go of your child and the piece you painted is a part of the life process. It's not always easy to let go.”