Artworks Founder Susan Johnston Featured in May
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WHEELING -- Artworks Around Town is honored to welcome accomplished artist Susan S. Johnston for the month of May.
Her show, titled "A Forest Path," features an array of stunning watercolors and promises to be a special treat for visitors to the Gallery. A festive reception will open the exhibit from 5:30-8 p.m. today, Friday, May 3. The party is free and open to the public.
Johnston is especially dear to Artworks, which she founded well over 20 years ago. Serving as president, she invited a number of local artists to become members during the first year. The Gallery was located on the corner of Eighth and Market streets in North Wheeling, moving after three years to the corner of Market and 12th streets before the final move to its present location. The group has thrived thanks to her dedication in the first fledgling years as a cooperative and continues to flourish in its present home in Wheeling's historic Centre Market.
An educator all her life, Johnston has taught in public schools, served as adjunct faculty in painting and conducted many painting workshops. A special passion is volunteering in historical downtowns bringing arts programming to communities. Wheeling was one of her projects and the area is richer for her efforts.
Johnston has been accepted in regional and national shows where she garnered numerous awards ranging from merit to first place. Exhibits in which she has participated are: The Pittsburgh International Aqueous, Audubon National Art Show, Westmoreland Art National, Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, Wills Creek Contemporary International and a solo art show "Arbor Series" at the Gilchrist Art Museum.
Works from Susan Johnston's exhibit "A Forest Path" are shown.
Johnston is a signature member of the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society and has served on its board since 2018. She is a member of the American Botanical Society and was a contributing illustrator for the national publication, Houseplant Magazine. She states in her bio that her "focus has been to make the viewer aware of the precious ecosystems we live with and need to protect."
She is an avid Plein Air painter, participating in several trips to Europe to paint with artists from England, Switzerland, Germany and France. This year's gathering takes place in Wheeling in September and will coordinate with Eric Dye's Ohio Valley Plein Air Paint Out for the first time.
Artworks Around Town is a non profit gallery and art center dedicated to serving the people of the area and is located in Wheeling's historic Centre Market. The Gallery is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The Gallery holds ongoing workshops as well as special ones throughout the year.
For more information on these and ways to become a member of Artworks, consult the website: artworksaround town.com.