Cranberry Artists Network paints bright future for community

As an art teacher for 20 years at Haine Middle School in Cranberry, Seneca Valley School District teacher Noele Reynolds received many comments from parents who wanted their children to take additional art classes.

Parents would have to drive their children “to art lessons in the North Hills, Carnegie, Sewickley,” but not Cranberry, where the school is located.

“There (was) no real art center in Cranberry,” Reynolds said. “We (had) no fine arts organization that is centered in Cranberry,” as another art group disbanded eight or nine years ago.

Now Cranberry and area residents have an artistic resource: the Cranberry Artists Network, which formed a year ago and received its nonprofit status in January. Most recently, the network hosted an open art show in October that attracted 45 artists showing more than 90 works of art.

Reynolds, 46, of Harmony, Butler County, is president of the organization, which will hold a meet-and-greet reception from 4-6 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Cranberry Municipal Center, now its home base. The event is for members and anyone interested in becoming a member. So far, the group has 25 members from Butler, Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties.

Members also plan a February juried art show, with the theme “Isn't It Romantic,” that will begin Feb. 4 at the township municipal center and conclude with a 7 p.m. Feb. 25 demonstration by nationally acclaimed pastel artist Christine Swann.

Member Kathy Bischak, 63, of New Sewickley, Beaver County, said the purpose of CAN is to support and encourage artists, to exhibit original works of art and to bestow honors and prizes “without prejudice against any race, ethnic background, or political, religious or sexual preference.”

“The purpose is also to establish community interest and appreciation of original fine arts,” said Bischak, a retired Seneca Valley art teacher who is one of the eight organization founders, including Reynolds.

Nanette Hought, 62, of Bradford Woods, who won first prize for her pastel painting, “Time's Square,” at the October art show, said winning the award was “delightful.”

“People are excited about a new arts organization,” Hought said. “What really surprised me was the number of people who put art in this show and the quality of the artwork.”

Former Seneca Valley art teacher Holly Pultz received second place for her oil painting, “Red Onions.” Cranberry police officer William Ahlgren was awarded third place for his unique photographic metal print, “Tranquility.” Karen Lovett's photograph, “I'm All Ears,” received an honorable mention.

Township Supervisor Bruce Mazzoni said he is supportive of the organization because “it adds to the community.” Not an artist himself, Mazzoni said he is “a big believer in the arts” and hopes the new organization will eventually help add art-related amenities to the township's public spaces, such as parks and the golf course.

“We're really excited about having them involved,” Mazzoni said. “I value what they can do for the community.”

Sandra Fischione Donovan is a freelance writer.