Exceptional Artists At the Artists Hand

As we move into our third Christmas Season and reflect on our good fortune, it is important to note the high quality of artists that we represent. there are 54 artists currently represented here at the Gallery, and many of them have been with us since before we had this wonderful place to call home. Some notables this season are Kaoru Tohara, who has recently been cited a one of Pittsburgh's Emerging Artists to watch. Joy Fairbanks just took an Honorable Mention at The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Biennial 2014. Painter Jonelle Summerfield opened two show within the last two weeks,  at the Gallery on 43rd Street, Pittsburgh, PA and at the Latrobe Art Center in Latrobe, PA.

Joy Fairbanks; Umbrellas $300

Additionally, several of our artists show their work, not only regionally, but nationally and internationally. Several have their work represented in Pittsburgh and one has a long standing relationship with a gallery in Gettysburg. We are very pleased to bring you the best of Indiana County here at the Artists Hand. Stop in find that perfect something for that special someone, or treat yourself.

Jonelle Summerfield; Rural Pennsylvania Street $400

Kaoru Tohara; Foggy 2010, Pittsburgh $200

The Holidays at The Artist Hand

Christmas time is just around the corner and the weather is turning wintery by the day. Join in the spirit of the holidays with us at The Artist Hand. Enjoy seasonal flavors made available to you at the espresso bar and stop in on Friday, November 21st for Light Up Night and the opening for The Ken Vinton Santa Show, featuring Walt Carter's Santa Sculpture.  The show opening is from 6 to 8, so stop in before the parade and after.

Walt Carter
Highlander Santa
$950.00

Walt Carter is an Indiana County native that graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is recently retired as an interior designer from Douds of Plumville, located in Plumville, Pennsylvania. Walt Carter has a few of his sculptures on sale.  Each sculpture has a different Santa related theme. The details, the different types of fabrics and materials used really make these sculptures come to life. The Ken Vinton Santa Show and Walt Carter Exhibition is not going to be something you want miss.

Events happening in Downtown Indiana:

It's A Wonderful Life in Indiana, Pa Festival and Parade at IRMC Park

The lighting of the tree at the Indiana Courthouse and more fun filled events to bring in holiday joy.

The Santa Show!

November 21st marks the opening for our 2nd annual Santa Show. Come in during the "It's A Wonderful Life Event" Friday night and kick off the holiday season with us!

This year we have 24 different Santas in all shapes and sizes from Rastafarian Santa to Pittsburgh Steelers Santa.

Ken Vinton, the artist that creates these Santa portraits, has no limit to his imagination. He has created abstract and fun pieces to bring in the holiday spirit. Ken's Santas are all hand-drawn and then printed as giclees. The Santas are drawn with graphite, outlined with micron precision pens, printed, and colored using a blend of soft colored pencils to bring the Santas to life. Each Santa has a different boarder and is encased in a different frame giving each one its own personality. My personal favorite Santa shows Santa Claus snorkeling under water; the thing that makes this particular Santa pop out is the border that surrounds him. The border is a mix of ancient roman and classical Corinthian pillars that hold up a window through which you view Ken's Santa. The Santa show has something for everyone--the entire family can find a Santa that is right for them.

The Collectors Corner

Why collect art? What does it mean to be a collector? What is the difference between buying art and collecting? Questions such as these arise everyday as people travel through the gallery. Collecting art is more than just acquiring pieces that coincide with one's personal aesthetic: it is a yearning to support the arts, to be a part of art history, to tell a story and create a unique grouping of works that reflects one’s taste, a specific historical period and ideas. Collecting requires a niche to see art as it does a deep desire to live with and care for important and beautiful objects. Throughout history, collectors from all eras have used this concept to shape art history in both overt and subtle ways. Here at The Artists Hand our Collectors Corner is geared towards people who want to begin a journey down the path of becoming an art collector. Prices range from $35 to $75 and there are pieces to suite each collector's desires. Art collectors here at The Artists Hand have had this to say:

"I own an art gallery and studio, The Artists Hand, where our mission is to create a space in which anyone can be apart of the arts. Each time you buy a piece of art, attend a class, rent a space, or even rent a space from the espresso bar you are a contribution to the collection of work that the gallery offers." Brian Jones, owner, The Artists Hand
 
"Art makes me excited to be alive, it gives me well being." Catherine Raeff, local collector

"I collect paintings because they are evocative moments and they sing to me; they speak to me." Berry L. Barta