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Welcome to Pittsburgh Recast
To recast is to mold again; to present in a new or different arrangement. Rooted in our industrial heritage, “recast” implies a new role, a new impression and a new direction. Pittsburgh Recast unfolds a visual narrative of transition and trajectory at a point where the city, steeped in history, is forging to redefine and reinvent itself. It explores the city’s course and character as well as the intervening detours, shifting paradigms and overturned hierarchies that have inaugurated change. It considers the ghosts of the past and their impact on the momentum of progress.
Illustration is a narrative art form. It tells a story. Pittsburgh themes spanning neighborhoods, faith, culture, resources and ethnicities inform us as they transport us to the same provocative place and point in time that inspired the artist to begin the work. The spectrum of interpretations, styles and media encompassed here suggests that a scope of creative solutions exist for all of our challenges.
The Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators invites you to share our regional epics, yarns, myths, anecdotes and futurescapes as you reflect and imagine with Pittsburgh Recast, our 10th anniversary exhibit honoring Pittsburgh’s 250 years.
Lynne Cannoy
Exhibition Chair
Pittsburgh Recast Back to top
Exhibit Criteria
Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators members were invited to develop an image or series of images relating to any story which has its roots in Pittsburgh, from headlines, personal experience, or a theme arising from personal interest and investigation. The story illustrated had to span a period of time and/or highlight a provocative moment or a turning point. The story was to incorporate Pittsburgh, one of its neighborhoods, or a local institution as an integral environment to its unfolding.
Participating illustrators were encouraged to consider whether change enshrines the past or corrodes it, and what impact the ghosts of the past might have on progress. They were asked to shift focus to examine the sweeping panorama, the minute details, or the influence of one upon the other. They were expected to weigh the counterpoint to their perspective and to define their point of view. Back to to
Participants Click on the artwork and read about the details that inspired these illustrations.
Recast Sales Binder Download the Pittsburgh Recast show catalog with information about the artists and their llustrations. Find out prices, contact details and the availability of prints.
Kurt Shaw
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
ART CRITIC
January 10, 2008
"Although Pittsburgh's story will continue to be written, it's that story which makes these works all the more compelling." read more
Whirl Magazine
March 2008 issue
The Pittsburgh Recast Cast Party drew a crowd of 700 to the Senator John Heinz History Center. The exhibit of 53 illustrations by 38 artists “documents the stories in and of Pittsburgh” and recognizes the influential people in Pittsburgh’s past 250 years. read more
Dave Crawley
KDKA channel 2 Pittsburgh
January 14, 2008
KD Country
Local illustrators are showing off their visions of Pittsburgh at an exhibit at the Heinz History Center. watch video
Pittsburgh TODAY Live
KDKA channel 2 Pittsburgh
January 19, 2008
Rick Antolic & Fred Carlson,of the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators, stop in to talk about iheir display, 'Pittsburgh Recast' at the Heinz History Center. watch video
University of Pittsburgh PittChronicle
January 28, 2008
Artist Gina Antognoli Scanlon said of her entries, “I chose to paint a series of influential women representing various fields of accomplishment.” read more
Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette
Arts & Entertainment
November 22, 2007
The Society's biggest and most ambitious show to date, it "documents the stories in and of an American city, steeped in history and forging to redefine and reinvent itself." read more
Pittsburgh Quarterly
Fall 2007 issue
"Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary is a sterling moment for a consortium of visual storytellers. It offers illustrators a smorgasbord of tales and times as varied as our spectrum of styles and media." read more
Carnegie
Newsworthy Section
Summer 2008 issue
As part of the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators' 10th anniversary, Dawsons's portrait, painted by Gina Antognoli Scalon, is one of 50 creations that tell the story of events, places, and people who have shaped the region's history during the past 250 years. read more
the Senator John Heinz History Center
The roots of the Senator John Heinz History Center reach back into the 19th century, a time when historical societies were forming in communities throughout the United States in an effort to preserve local history. It is only natural that PSI's tenth anniversary show, Pittsburgh Recast, would be installed at this important local historical venue. Our gallery exhibition is located on the forth floor and is garnering critical praise and impressive attendance. As a result of this success and popularity the show has been extended and now runs until September 7th 2008.
The History Center's exhibits and Museum Shop are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The History Center is closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. For more information call 412-454-6000 or follow this link. www.pghhistory.org Back to top
the Jurors
Douglas Cooper, Professor of Architecture at Carnegie Mellon University
Anne Madarasz,Museum Division Director and Director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, Senator John Heinz History Center
John Sotirakis, Partner and Creative Director at ThoughtForm Design Back to top
Juror Statements
Douglas Cooper Interesting work. In particularly, those that interested me were the ones that made something of some aspect they took from Pittsburgh--a good example being the one that built a fictitious comic book story out of the infamous crash of the B-25 in the Mon. I was impressed by the range of works: from humorous takes, and Andy Warhol to minimalist representations of the lives of coal miners. -D.C. Back to top
Anne Madarasz In my 15 years working as a curator and historian at the History Center, I have overseen numerous exhibits that provide a visual representation, through photographs, prints, or painted medium, of the region. Most are centered on a particular time or place, i.e. Braddock in the 1930s. The work in Pittsburgh Recast spans the over two-century history of the region providing multiple points of entry to the past. It is both a thought provoking and whimsical review of what makes this city special – capturing the essence of the place and its people. The works can be appreciated as individual creations of illustrative art and as doorways to the past – each filtered through the head and hands of the artists. Taken as a whole, the exhibit provides a touchstone for understanding Pittsburgh at this important juncture in the city’s history. -A.M. Back to top
John Sotirakis As a graphic designer, I appreciate good illustration. Like design,
illustration has to go beyond "art for art's sake" and communicate a message...tell a story. Well, Pittsburgh and its stories were
wonderfully represented by the illustrations I saw at the judging on August 15. PSI has an amazing pool of talent. I wish all the work could be in the show, but it was my job as one of the judges to isolate the very best and I think we have. Kudos to all the PSI members for your beautiful and thoughtful work. –J.S Back to top
Juror Bios
Douglas Cooper Douglas Cooper, Andrew Mellon Professor of Architecture at Carnegie Mellon University, has taught drawing since 1976 and is the author of a well-known text on the subject, Drawing and Perceiving (John Wiley & Sons). For the last 15 years he has focused on large panoramic murals (up to 200 feet-long and 15 feet-high) in various cities world-wide.
Cities where his murals may be found are: Frankfurt (Kleinemarkthalle); New York (John's Pizzeria); Philadelphia (County Courthouse); Pittsburgh (Carnegie Mellon University Center and the Senator John Heinz History Center); Rome (University of Rome "la Sapienza); San Francisco (UCSF: Medical Sciences Building); and Seattle (King County Courthouse).
His work has been exhibited at the Galerie Der Spiegel (Köln, Germany), AIA National Headquarters (Washington DC), Alex Rosenberg Gallery and the Open Atelier of Design (NYC), Butler Institute (Youngstown, Ohio), Galerie Gardy Wiechern (Hamburg, Germany), and the Concept Gallery and Carnegie Museum (Pittsburgh).
He has written a highly personal memoire, Steel Shadows (University of Pittsburgh Press) on his mural work in Pittsburgh, and his Frankfurt mural was presented in book form by Deutsche Bank Bauspar AG in 1997 titled Frankfurt Panorama.
In 2000, his work was honored by the AIA at its national convention for the contribution of his mural work to the field of architecture. He has also received the Henry Hornbostel award for teaching excellence in the College of Fine Arts in 1985.
Doug received his Bachelors in Architecture in 1970 from Carnegie Mellon University. He worked for Herbert Ohl at the Institut für Umweltgestaltung in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, before beginning his positions with the Architecture Department at Carnegie Mellon University Back to top
Anne Madarasz Anne Madarasz has been at the History Center since 1992 and currently holds the title of Museum Division Director and Director of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. A graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, she completed the coursework for her PhD. at the University of Pennsylvania. Anne was a member of the curatorial team for the “Points in Time” exhibit and contributed an essay to the catalog. She served as Project Director and Curator for “Glass: Shattering Notions” and authored the accompanying catalog. She was awarded a Richards Fellowship for research from the Corning Museum of Glass and lectures and writes frequently on the subject of Pittsburgh glass.
Anne has overseen or curated numerous exhibitions that examine Pittsburgh and regional history through photography, prints, or painted medium. Recently, she oversaw the efforts to develop and implement the Sports Museum at the History Center. Currently, her curatorial works focuses on the research and design of a major exhibit on the subject of innovation and invention, slated to open in November 2008 Back to top
John Sotirakis John Sotirakis is a partner at ThoughtForm, a design firm in Pittsburgh. John's accomplishments as a design strategist at ThoughtForm include work for local arts organizations such as the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Symphony, and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
Recent civic milestones in John's resume: Phipps Conservatory's Thai rainforest exhibit and a branding program for the French and Indian War 250th commemoration. John has worked with a variety of not-for-profit organizations including Pittsburgh's Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) high school, and the Watson Institute Capital Campaign, working with children and youth in need.
John's work in interactive media includes the Heinz Endowment Web site, which received the Gold Award from the Council of Foundations; creating a brand identity for the Explorion exhibit in downtown Pittsburgh; and designing the graphic approach for the Pitt Legacy Exhibit, an interactive media display at the University of Pittsburgh.
John attended the Parsons School of Design and went on to receive a BFA in graphic design from Carnegie Mellon University. He has received awards from ADDY, AIGA, AIGA Pittsburgh, Creativity, Graphis, and Print; and he served as past president of AIGA Pittsburgh.
John plays classical piano and sings in a variety of choral groups throughout the city. He believes that performing is just another extension of his passion: creative expression in its many forms. John is pleased to participate in this show as another way of giving back to the arts community in Pittsburgh. Back to top
Patty Lipinski, David Biber, Judith Lauso: Fundraising Assistance
Don Henderson: State Senator and Representative Liaison
Ilene Winn-Lederer: Mailing List and Government Liaison
Ron Thurston: Mailing List Assistance
Gina Scanlon: Treasurer and Accountant
Anni Matsick: University and College PR
Mark Bender, Ron Thurston: Lecture Series Liaison
Nora Jayne Thompson, Dan Hart, Yelena Lamm: Web assistance
Keith Knecht, Nancy Flury Carlson: Computer assistance
Ray Sokolowski: Gallery assistance
A special thanks to John Sotirakis and ThoughtForm Design for exhibit design assistance. Back to top
Community Outreach
“I got home feeling stimulated by the speakers, hearing about their work process, techniques and enthusiasm for what they do.”
“Shows like this really inspire me to keep doing art. And it gives me lots of new ideas and techniques to try.”
These are two of the many appreciative comments received on the survey distributed to attendees at Recast Talks presented February 10 and March 9 at the Heinz History Center. PSI members Ron Thurston, Ilene Winn-Lederer, Gina Scanlon, John Manders, Anni Matsick, Mark Bender and Kathy Rooney spoke about their pieces included in the Pittsburgh Recast exhibit, outlining their thought processes and work methods. The artists related a wide range of inspiration that led to their choices of topics for the show’s theme, along with descriptions of their varied media techniques and professional experience. Their collective contributions moved one listener to note:
“History in general seems to continuously enrich the present in design and illustration as well.” Back to top
Community Impact
As one of two museum exhibits chosen for all city 9th grade students to tour free of charge, Pittsburgh Recast has been recognized as a catalyst for fostering a climate of nascent peer community through group interaction and discussion. Citing the accessibility of the exhibit’s narrative language and art in assigning its role in a newly initiated civics course, museum docents report that students are both inspired and encouraged to discuss themes and artistic interpretations as well as their own experiences of various facets of urban life. Exercising communication skills and creative thinking, both reporting in hindsight and imagining with foresight are brought to the exchange, underscoring the value of a variety of personal perspectives Back to top
Partnership & Funding
Pittsburgh Recast is presented in partnership with the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Funding is provided by:
The Heinz Endowments
The Heinz Endowments supports efforts to make southwestern Pennsylvania a premier place to live and work, a center of learning and educational excellence, and a home to diversity and inclusion. Committed to helping its region thrive as a whole community—economically, ecologically, educationally and culturally—the foundation works within Pennsylvania and elsewhere in the nation to develop solutions to challenges that are national and even international in scope. One of the largest and most innovative independent philanthropic foundations in the country, the Endowments awarded more than $55 million in grants in 2006.
The A. W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation
In 2006, the Foundation and its Supporting Organizations awarded more than$33.7 million in grants to a vast array of non-profit organizations, students through scholarships, and medical researchers, based on donor interests and specific purposes of individual funds.
Since 1945, The Pittsburgh Foundation has been connecting its generous donors with the critical needs of our community. Donors who have established funds through the Foundation can support virtually any area of charitable interest in Pittsburgh, or anywhere in the United States. Because the Foundation is a public charity, donors benefit from significant tax advantages.
Endowment funds held by the Foundation range from $10,000 to $40 million, created by individuals and organizations with a passion for Pittsburgh and a deep commitment to their community. More than 1,100 individuals, families and organizations have established funds at The Pittsburgh Foundation, which exists in perpetuity—growing each year—to provide an ever-increasing resource to benefit the community.
Pittsburgh Recast would not have been possible without the assistance and underwriting from:
The Trustees and Members of the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators
Charlie Humphrey, Executive Director Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
Visit PSI
Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators begins our second decade as a powerful and influential organization in the national illustration industry. Proudly, the forth largest society of illustrators in the United States, PSI is currently home to some of this country's most talented and successful artists who have achieved national and international recognition for their work. Our artists serve the entire spectrum of the illustration marketplace. Through PSI, like-minded artists, art directors and clients connect, plan, and change the aesthetic climate of visual communication for the better. Please visit our web site at www.pittsburghillustrators.org Back to top
Featured Artists click artwork for
more information
E. Maxine Bruhns, Director By GINA ANTOGNOLI SCANLON
Artist Gina Antognoli Scanlon said of her entries, “I chose to paint a series of influential women representing various fields of accomplishment.” 
