2010 Exhibitons

71 Market Street - Brownsville, PA 15417 Telephone: 724-785-9331

The Frank L. Melega Art Museum is an equal opportunity provider.

A new place, a new space, and two new exhibitions are just part of what is in store for those attending the grand opening of the new Frank L. Melega Art Museum on Saturday, September 25th, 1:00 to 6:00 PM. The new Melega Art Museum will remain located in the historic Flatiron Building, but is now on the first floor with a much larger exhibition space, a second gallery, and a glass enclosed display area for sculpture and small works of art. The Heritage Center is now connected to the art museum, making it easy for visitors to experience both. The ground level entrance is wheel chair accessible. Brownsville native, Frank L. Melega (1905-1997) is best known for his depiction of the Coal and Coke Era but as seen in the museum’s collection, the artist worked in all styles and media in a wide range of subjects. Artworks on display by Mr. Melega include oil paintings, drawings, watercolors, acrylic paintings, advertising art, mosaics, and sculptures. A man of many talents, Melega was also a musician and an accomplished amateur golfer.

A project like the new Melega Art Museum is the result of the efforts and contributions of many individuals and organizations, both private and public. Without the many artworks on loan from the Melega family and the Brownsville Area Redevelopment Corporation (BARC), the museum would not exist. BARC’s dedication to the museum and to helping the city of Brownsville is truly inspirational.

The New Frank L. Melega Art Museum Opening Reception Saturday, September 25th, 2010

1:00 - 6:00 PM

Inaugural Exhibitions: September 25 - February 20, 2011

The Working Press - Moments in Time

Ernst Braun: In Memoriam

The Working Press - Moments in Time

Press Photographers of Southwestern Pennsylvania

Ernst Braun: In Memoriam

Artworks by Sculptor and Designer

Ernst Braun 1946-2008

“Ernst Braun: In Memoriam” features select artworks by sculptor and designer Ernst Braun (1946-2008). Ernst Braun was born in Murrhardt-Steinberg, Germany and immigrated to the United States in 1974. Already an accomplished craftsman having finished his master’s exam in furniture design and construction in Germany, he studied at UCLA and the American Pacific Art Institute (formerly the Art Institute of LA) while obtaining an Associate Arts Degree with the Interior Designers Guild in California. Although less than ten artworks comprise the exhibit, they demonstrate a wide range of materials and approaches to making art. Works include wood sculptures, turned alabaster vessels, and a “safari chair” made of wood and leather. Some of the sculptures are small in size but none-the-less, powerful statements.

A major exhibition showcasing the multitalented press photographers of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Titled “The Working Press: Moments in Time”, the show is the first time in the ten year history of the museum to have a guest curator. Bobby G. Salitrik, guest curator, conceived the show’s theme and has chosen the photographers. Salitrik states, “I feel that it is important to recognize the outstanding work that these photographers perform on a daily basis, often under difficult conditions.” She believes that their images are often taken for granted. “It is the impact of their still images that stops and confronts us with a story or news event. It is the still image of the photograph that we carry with us, the one we remember.”

Celebrating Change

Robert Esquivel, Herald-Standard

Frank L. Melega (1905-1997)

2010 Artist of the Pike

May 15 - July 25, 2010

In what some might call an unexpected choice, Frank L. Melega has been designated the 2010 Artist of the Pike, a special recognition annually awarded by the museum which bears his name, the Frank L. Melega Art Museum. The choice is in part due to the exciting changes taking place. The museum is in the process of completing the new Melega Art Museum. “We wanted to give the community a preview of the new museum and felt it was appropriate to have only Mr. Melega’s artwork on display for the first show, plus we wanted to maintain the ‘Artist of the Pike’ tradition” stated Patrick Daugherty, Director of the museum. The official grand opening will be in the Fall. The new Melega Art Museum will remain located in the historic Flatiron Building, but will be on the first floor with a much larger exhibition space. The Heritage Center is now connected to the art museum, making it easy for visitors to experience both. The ground level entrance is wheel chair accessible. The museum is located in the historic Flatiron Building, 69 Market Street in Brownsville Pennsylvania. A reception will be held the weekend of the National Road Festival, Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Frank R. Melega (son of Frank L. Melega) will conduct tours of the museum from 2 -4 PM. Some of Mr. Melega’s most famous paintings will be on display including works never before exhibited at the museum. Melega is best known for his depiction of the Coal and Coke Era but he worked in all styles and media in a wide range of subjects. The show will include oil paintings, drawings, watercolors, acrylic paintings, advertising art, mosaics, and sculptures.