Winning entries will go on exhibit

The display is in conjunction with the art center's spring open house.
THE VINDICATOR
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- As the spring foliage unfurls, so does the work of regional artists, drawn out of their studios by the 33rd Annual Hoyt Regional Juried Art Show.
More than 120 artists carrying 347 works from as far as 100 miles away competed for the attention of this year's juror, William Strickland, president of the Manchester Craftsman's Guild and Bidwell Training Center. Of these, Strickland selected 97 pieces from 71 artists to present what he thought represented the best talent in the region to be shown at the Hoyt.
Strickland admitted he was a bit overwhelmed by the number of entries. While his own experience in the studio is ceramics, he also admitted he favored photography. But it was the skill of young Dawn Marr and her portrait, "Grandma Marr," that kept grabbing his attention to nab Best of Show. Marr is from Andover, Ohio.
In addition to Best in Show, Strickland also awarded six other artists with Merit Awards for their exceptional work: Carol Volz Begley of Beaver, Pa., for her pastel titled "In the Alley Behind Izzy Millers"; John A. Fobes of Pittsburgh for his digital image called "Destination Unknown"; Ron Hovis of New Wilmington, Pa., for his photograph titled "Moraine Lake"; Patrick Hyland of Youngstown, Ohio, for his photograph titled "Death Valley"; Robert E. Isenberg of Mercer, Pa., for his ceramic piece titled "Shaman"; and Ronald Nigro of Pittsburgh for his mixed media sculpture called "Celebration."
Other exhibits
Alongside the Regional Exhibition in the Blair Sculpture Walkway is a collection of works by Neshannock artist Robert Karstadt. Drawn from two distinct bodies of work, Karstadt shares his "Hall of Angels" and his work titled "Apparatus." These works shed light on Karstadts‚ journey to comprehend eternity.
Featured in the Sunroom Gallery is an exhibition of works from Slippery Rock University's art seminar class. This show features sculpture, painting, drawing, photography and fiber art from 19 students in the program.
An artist's reception will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in conjunction with the Hoyt's spring open house. Attendees may explore the exhibits and learn more about spring classes, Summer Art Camp and Festival, New Wilmington Arts and Heritage Festival, tour the houses, and take a peek at works created by the Hoyt's faculty. Admission is free.
The Hoyt Regional Juried Art Exhibition runs through May 26. Gallery hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (724) 652-2882 or visit www.hoytartcenter.org.