President: Cheryl Chivers

Co-vice president: Samantha Giancola

Samantha Giancola has been a part of South Arts Pittsburgh since fall of 2022.  She joined after her kids were both in elementary school and she could spend Friday mornings at open studio. She has a degree is interior design, but ended that profession after 7 years to become a full time stay at home mom.  While her kids would nap she’d play around with watercolors to keep her creative mind and hands busy, which led to her wanting to start her own small business, Giancola Art & Design, selling her art on cards. Since then she’s added mixed media, digital art and repeat pattern design to her portfolio, and is always continuing to learn and grow. Her love for art, the Bethel Park community, and the historic Schoolhouse Arts & History center inspired her to create the Schoolhouse Artist Markets with South Arts Pittsburgh in 2024.  She hopes to continue helping plan those markets for years to come.

Co-vice president: Kathy Finch

Kathy attended The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Her professional career initially focused on graphic design. After working in graphic design for thirteen years she recognized a desire to deepen her knowledge and impact others through art. She enrolled at Carlow University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Art Education and a minor in Art Therapy. 

Kathy Finch dedicated 25 years to teaching high school art in Las Vegas. During this time, she not only imparted artistic skills to her students but also integrated therapeutic elements into her teaching. After retiring from teaching, Kathy transitioned back into creating art full-time. She now works from her home studio exploring various art media.

View her art at https://kathyfinchfineart.com/  You can reach her by email at kathyfinchfineart@gmail.com

Secretary: Pat Miyamoto

Pat has been a member of South Arts since 1995. She majored in art at Randolph Macon Women's College, and has been painting her whole life, even during her time living in Hawaii and Spain. Her achievements include numerous awards such as gold keys from Scholastic Magazine's annual art contest, acceptance into NYC's Art Student's League, and involvement in other local arts organizations. As Secretary, Pat collects group data and assists with exhibition preparations. 

Past president: Jeanie Clayton Slater

Jeanie has been a member since 2019. She has always loved art and took Tam O'Shanter art classes at the Carnegie Museum as a child. She attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for visual communications and was a graphic designer for an art studio, hospital and university. Somewhat retired, she freelances occasionally but would rather paint. Jeanie now focuses her talents on painting abstract art using mixed media, acrylic inks, alcohol inks and has dabbled in watercolor. And she is an avid amateur photographer. 

Past Co-president: Tony Condello

Tony holds a wealth of experience. Tony attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and upon graduation, worked at the University of Pittsburgh. When he left the university he worked freelance, then taught at the Art Institute for eight years. Tony juggled two careers, while teaching at the Art Institute he also launched his own business in graphic design. His company created ads, brochures,catalogs, logos, websites and annual reports. Some of his clients were:  Alcoa, Duquesne Light, Carnegie Mellon University, The World Bank And Matthews International Corporation, just to name a few.

Past President: Sue Denner

Sue developed a love for art at a young age, and began painting at age 14.  She grew up in Shadyside and took courses at what is now the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.  She continued to work on art throughout her life with a family and a career with the airlines, spending late hours sculpting and painting.  Mrs. Denner is now retired and is able to devote even more time to her art.  She primarily works with oil paint, but has also worked with watercolor, pen and ink, acrylics, sketching, and sculpting.   

Contact Sue: suedenner@gmail.com

Past President: Steph Moraca