Published: October 30, 2009 02:42 pm      

Artists' Hall of Fame dinner to feature silent, live auctions

By TOM LAVIS

TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM

It seems only appropriate that the silent and live auctions associated with the Artists’ Hall of Fame dinner on Saturday would feature distinct artworks.

A live auction will feature a statue of Morley’s Dog, re-created in the same style as the original.

The dog has been around since the late 1800s and is a survivor of three floods, including the one in 1889.

Organizers are hoping people will want to bid on a full-size replica of the pooch that is part of the city’s history.

For the silent auction, area artists have crafted art bottles. They are part of the Bottle Artist Collection.

The idea for the series was conceived by Rosemary Pawlowski, former activity director at the Bottle Works and now executive director, as a tribute to the former Tulip Bottling Co., now the site of Bottle Works, and a celebration of artists.

“Since ‘bottles’ are so integral to Bottle Works, we have been featuring a definitive bottle from artists’ specific disciplines for several years,” said Pawlowski.

The bottle artists this year are Paulett Simunich of Johnstown, who created a pysanky bottle, and Marianne McAuliffe of Ligonier, who employed a Native American theme.

Simunich’s Polish vase features graceful lines and eight decorative eggs.

“Paulett used warm, bright colors to match the happiness of the occasion,” Pawlowski said.

McAuliffe, who has been studying Native American culture most of her life, is offering a stitched rawhide creation in the shape of a bottle.

“She has concealed another opening in it and filled it with material so it will rattle,” Pawlowski said.

Reception



What: 2009 Artists’ Hall of Fame.

Where: Holiday Inn, 250 Market St., downtown Johnstown.

When: Reception at 6 p.m. Saturday, followed by dinner at 7.

Tickets: 536-5399.

Cost: $50 a person, $95 a couple.