A black-tie bash to celebrate art, patrons and those who bring them together drew a crowd of more than 100 on Friday in Greensburg. That’s when the Westmoreland Museum of American Art honored what it calls one of the country’s most influential men in his field. John K. Howat , curator emeritus at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, was the 26th recipient of the Westmoreland Society Gold Medal at the society’s annual dinner. Frick Art & Historical Center director Bill Bondine presented the award to Howat, who spent 33 years at the Metropolitan, and is the author of dozens of publications, most recently a book about Hudson River School painter Frederic Church. This year, the Westmoreland Society board decided to postpone an annual vote on a purchase for its permanent collection, and instead will roll over its funds. Museum director/CEO Judith O’Toole said doubling the money raised, which typically is around $30,000 a year, will open up more possibilities for a spectacular purchase next year. And here’s an idea of who was there: Museum board chairman Dr. Jack Smith and his wife, Georgia , Westmoreland Society president David Assard and his wife, Linda , society members Barbara Nakles, Pat and Lou Costello, Sande Hendricks and her husband Richard , and Martin Kuzmkowski and his wife Linda . Westmoreland Museum of Art trustees Harvey Childs, Harley Trice, Diana Jannetta and her husband, Peter, Bruce Wolf and his wife, Sheryl also were there. Alice Kaylor , dean of studies at St. Vincent College, Latrobe, was escorted by Timothy Thompson , and St. Vincent professor emeritus Dr. Charles Manoli was accompanied by his wife, Anita . The couples exchanged well wishes with Mrs. Louise Kilgore , who looked lovely as she celebrated her 96th birthday at the dinner. — Jennifer Miele, WTAE

Season to celebrate

Indiana Regional Medical Center Auxiliary celebrated its 70th annual Charity Ball in style on Saturday at Indiana Country Club. Upon entry, guests were welcomed by a bevy of beauties, including co-chairwomen Lisa Kiral and Lori Evans , auxiliary chairwoman Nancy Miller , official greeter Marsha Delaney and Indiana Senior High School students Caitlin Bidwell, Julie Percha and Sarah Strawcutter. Twinkling lights and a giant tree added to ballroom ambience, where 300 attendees danced to “Night Life” following a meal prepared by Chef Anthony Hruska. Hruska, of Greensburg, a former banquet chef for Donald Trump’s Mara-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla., dished out VIP treatment with tender filet mignon and a decadent “Fallen Chocolate Souffle.” It was a sweet evening for IRMC, which, in October was named by its employees as one of the Best Places to Work in Western Pennsylvania, based on a survey conducted by Pittsburgh Business Times, partnered with QMR Market Research of Wichita, Kan. For the second year in a row, IRMC ranked as the No. 1 large employer in the region. “Just to be at that level back to back,” IRMC president and CEO Stephen Wolfe said. “We really do have a lot of good things going on.” At the ball: IUP president Tony Atwater and Beverly , Indiana County Commissioner Rodney Ruddock and Ellen, Wallace and Donna Putt, Karen Wolfe, Jim Miller, Larry and Karen Marshall, Todd and Lonie Brice, Dr. Andrew Cash and Anne, John and Kim Dolan, Michael and Linda Donnelly, Dr. Bruce Bush and Carol, Nathan and Karen Kovalchick, Edward and Heather Marcozzi, John and Robin Malloy and Kevin and Laura Musser. — Dawn Law

Art-exhibition patrons are the real winners

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Council for the Arts celebrated its 11th Annual Juried Art Exhibition with prizes for some fantastic local art. Saturday’s reception at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Ligonier was packed with regional artists and their fans. Sponsors gave prize money ranging from $100 to $500 to some of the artists, including best of show: William DeBernardi for his oil painting “Photographers,” second prize: Jeanne McGuire for her watercolor “White Boots,” third: Paul Sirofchuck for cherry “Wood Rolling Desk Chair,” fourth: Fran Gialamas for “The Hammer Photo Assemblage.” Awards of excellence and merit were presented to artists Katherine Strutz, William Hoffman, Sherrie Plonski, Ronald Nigro, David DiPietro, Sallie Zoerb , and Steven Sherrill. Juror William Mammarella is on the faculty of the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in Lancaster. Museum coordinator Janet Bucciarelli said established and up-and-coming artists seek out this show because it is expertly judged. “The quality control is very high,” Bucciarelli said. SPCA board of directors John Mickinak, Susan Kiren, Diane Greubel and Bonnie Hoffman were there, and board members Elizabeth Zgorecki and Bill Fischer , who were eager to honor the artists. Advisory board members Barbara Nakles and Tina Thoburn were impressed with the art. The exhibition will run until the end of February, but patrons Richard Bargdill, Missy Melville, Jim Heming, Mandy Sirofchuck and her daughter Clair , and Dr. William Palmer his wife Terry and their daughter Margaret , all seen at the event, decided they couldn’t wait. At the end of the exhibition in February, one of the artists will receive The People’s Choice Award, a $100 prize voted on by the public during the next few months. — Jennifer Miele, WTAE

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