Save the Date! Second Annual Pentecost Sacred Arts Festival Planned for May 16th

Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 April 2018 16:33

The 2018 Pentecost Sacred Arts Festival at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Scott Township is a showcase of inspired talent in art, literature, and music.

Visitors to this free, five-day festival enjoy a unique encounter with the arts in the Judeo-Christian tradition as interpreted by painters, iconographers, sculptors, musicians, poets and authors from Western Pennsylvania and the Midwest.

A juried exhibition of 50 original sacred artworks is the centerpiece of the festival held May 16-20. The culmination of this year’s PSAF occurs on Pentecost Sunday, May 20 with the 11:30 a.m. “Mass of Hope,” an original composition in the jazz idiom by Joe Negri, nationally renowned jazz guitarist and television personality, accompanied by his jazz ensemble, cantors and the Our Lady of Grace Church Choir. Following the Mass, the PSAF concludes with an artists’ reception and awards ceremony in the Keefer Hall Gallery beneath the church from 1-3 p.m. where the 5 winners of the $1,200 in prizes will be announced, including the People’s Choice Award.

Linus Meldrum, MFA, distinguished juror for the art exhibition, will give a framing presentation titled: “Sacred Art: Bread and Body,” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16. Meldrum is an assistant professor of art at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he teaches studio arts in painting, drawing, design and iconography.

Ryan Wilson, award winning poet and professor of literature at Catholic University of America in Washington, D. C., will read a selection of his poetry at the PSAF on Saturday, May 19th, at 4 p.m.

Among the local musicians, Mike Gallagher, popular Pittsburgh folk singer, will precede Ryan Wilson on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with original, folk and traditional ballads.

Among the local authors, Sam Hazo, poet laureate of Pennsylvania and Professor Emeritus of Duquesne University, will recite a selection from his treasury of poems on Thursday, May 17 at 7 p.m.

All of the literary and musical performances will occur in the Keefer Hall Gallery so that visitors can both view the art exhibition and hear the readings and music.

The full 2018 Pentecost Sacred Arts Festival schedule of events, May 16-20, including gallery hours, can be accessed at www.olgscott.org or by calling 412-279-7070. Original artworks, books and CDs will be available for purchase throughout the festival.

The 2018 PSAF is free to the public.