November 2026

IN THIS MONTH’S NEWSLETTER:

Leadership and Organization news

Join Our Leadership Team

Upcoming Events and Open Studios

Schoolhouse and Community Highlights

Member Spotlight and Successes

Community Class Highlight: Gouache

Local Art News

South Hills Village Mural

Become a Member Today!

Save the Date: Membership Drive!

From Kathy’s Studio

Let’s Get Social! 

Newsletter

Contact Us

🏛️ LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION NEWS

Current Board & Committee Assignments

• Interim President: Kathy Finch

• Treasurer: Aleta Akhtar (Treasury Committee: Ieva Levkus)

• Membership Committee: Melissa Davis, Francine Smith

• Pro-Tem Secretaries: Melissa Davis, Ieva Levkus, Francine Smith

• Class Coordinator: Keith Bastianini

• Webmaster: Francine Smith (Chair), Melissa Davis (Assistant)

• Newsletter Publisher: Melissa Davis | Social Media Chair: Francine Smith

• Market Coordinators: Kathy Finch, Ieva Levkus, Alex Barretta

• Gallery Wall: Ieva Levkus, Sue Ralston

• Liaisons: Dale Greggs (Figure Drawing), Christine Koepelle-Dugan (Scholarship)

Board & Committee News:

Our members are working diligently behind the scenes to bring exciting changes to South Arts Pittsburgh! We extend a big thank you to our new Board Officers and Committee Members. Many volunteers are currently filling multiple roles while we interview potential new leaders. We need your help!

• Class Updates: Classes are on hold while our Treasury committee streamlines new procedures. We plan to resume classes in early 2027.

• Modernization: Francine Smith and Melissa Davis are upgrading membership logs and moving payments to southartspittsburgh.org (powered by Wild Apricot). Our new membership year begins January 2027! 

• Bylaws: Our 1986 bylaws are under review to reflect our current structure, including updated mission statements and job descriptions. These will be available for all members once board-approved.

• Welcome: Please welcome Lauren Miller, our new Historian! Do you have some fun history of our association? Email historical photos/docs to southartspitt@gmail.com(Subject: Historical).

• Acknowledgments: A huge thank you to Diane Murray (President Advisor) for assisting us to update our nonprofit tax documents.

🤝 JOIN OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Are you considering serving on the board? You don’t need previous experience—just enthusiasm for the arts! Board members meet once a month (In-person or Zoom).

Treasury Opportunities

• CPA: Seeking a Certified Public Accountant with nonprofit experience. (paid)

• Treasurer Intern: Recent grad or retired professional with bookkeeping/tax knowledge. (Small stipend may be negotiated)

• Apply via southartspitt@gmail.com (Subject: Treasury)

Open Board & Committee Roles

• Officers: 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary.

• Coordinators (Chair & Members): Classes, Events, and Open Studio Workshops.

• Social Media: Immediate openings (1–2 hours/week).

• Apply via southartspitt@gmail.com (Subject: Volunteer)

Role Comparison at a Glance

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPEN STUDIOS

Venue: Co-op Room, Schoolhouse Arts and History Center 

Address: 2600 South Park Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102

*Note: Due to financial restructuring, the gallery portion of the November show in the Co-op Room has been cancelled.

**Friday Open Studio: New Conversation Guidelines**

We are delighted to see our Friday Open Studio growing! To ensure that everyone can enjoy a comfortable and creative atmosphere, we are introducing a few simple conversation guidelines:

To help your fellow artists concentrate, please use indoor voices and keep studio conversations focused on art. While we love that our members are friends, we ask that you move social catch-ups to the hallway to maintain a focused environment. If you would prefer some quiet time for your own work, using headphones is a great way to signal that to others.

Additionally, during our 11:00 AM Show & Share, please help us give each presenter your full attention. We ask for respectful silence during these presentations so that everyone can hear and enjoy the work being shared.

Thank you for helping us make Friday Open Studio a welcoming, creative space where we can all learn, connect, and create together!

🎨 SCHOOLHOUSE AND COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

Gallery Wall Exhibit Members may display artwork for sale in the Schoolhouse lobby. Exhibits change every three months (next change: early December).

• To join the waiting list: Email Ieva Levkus ievalevkus@gmail.com or Sue Ralston sue_ralston@yahoo. com

• To purchase art: Email southartspitt@gmail.com (Subject: Gallery Purchase)

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT AND SUCCESSES:

Galleria Show Success! 

• A huge thank you to everyone who participated! It was wonderful to see so much talent on display. 

• We would also like to extend a special congratulations to our members who shared their work with our neighboring art communities, including Whitehall Arts, the McMurray Art League, and the Bethel Art Guild. We are proud to see South Arts Pittsburgh represented so well across the region. 

Reginald’s Halloween Party and Night Art Market Highlights

• We had a fantastic time at the Night Art Market during Reginald’s Halloween Party! The creativity didn't stop at the art booths—it extended to the costumes as well.

• A huge congratulations to member Christine Koeppelle-Dugan and her husband Brian, who took home first place in the costume contest with their tribute to Alfred Hitchcock’s movie Psycho! We also want to give a shout-out to the three Tony Condellos, who brought home third place and plenty of laughs. 😂

Community Class Highlight: Gouache Technique

Join us for a special demonstration by member Nancy Kenney! Nancy will be showcasing Gouache techniques at the Bethel Artist Guild Meeting. Whether you are a seasoned painter or new to the medium, we invite you to come and learn.

When: Thursday, December 3, 2026, at 12:30 PM Where: Bethel Park Community Center, 5151 Park Ave, Bethel Park, PA 15102

What to Bring: To participate in the demonstration, please bring the following supplies:

• 140 lb watercolor paper

• Gouache paints and brushes

• A reference picture with black elements (for example, a pirate)

• A hairdryer (if available)

 Bethel Artist Guild | Bethel Park PA

LOCAL ART NEWS:

The Phillip Dressler Center for the Arts Presents: From Rubbish to Ravishing: A Trashy Art Exhibit located in Somerset on November 19, 2026 through January 7, 2027. Online entry closes October 16, 2026. https://laurelarts.org/from-rubbish-to-ravishing

Westmoreland Art Nationals Juried Art and Photography Exhibit dates announced!  Entry deadline March 5, 2027.  Opening reception May 22, 2027, from  6–8 PM.  First exhibit dates are May 22–June 7, 2027, at the Health and Culinary Center at Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, PA.  Second exhibit dates are July 1–4, 2027, at the 53rd Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival at Twin Lakes Park in Greensburg, PA.  Westmoreland Art Nationals – Arts and Heritage 

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SOUTH HILLS VILLAGE MURAL:

🚀 Coming Soon: Phase Two!

We are thrilled to announce the next stage of our community project. We will be creating nine 30" x 40" canvases featuring images from the history of the South Hills Village mall. These will be mounted in the hallway above the vending machines.

Member Diane Murray is currently assisting with the design. Stay tuned—more details will follow soon!

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BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!

Join Our Community of Passionate Artists

South Arts Membership is open to anyone with an interest in enhancing the cultural atmosphere of our community through art. Membership is open to all skill levels.

Member Benefits:

• Exhibit Your Work: Enter local exhibitions to display your art for the public—and potentially sell your pieces!

• Featured Display: Have your artwork displayed and available for sale in the lobby of the Schoolhouse.

• Networking: Connect with other local artists during open painting sessions, classes, and events.

• Stay Informed: Get insider access to art programs and cultural events happening across the community.

• Digital Exposure: Get your artwork featured on the South Arts website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.

• Exclusive Discounts: Receive member pricing on open studio sessions and classes taught by award-winning, nationally recognized artists.

📅 SAVE THE DATE: ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DRIVE Starting January 2027! We are introducing new tiered membership options for seniors, students, and regular members, as well as online donor options for open studio users. Online registration is coming soon!

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FROM KATHY’S STUDIO

November arrives with a shift in the light, and the days grow shorter.  The studio air turns crisp, and the world outside softens into muted earth tones.  It’s a season that naturally draws us inward, asking us to slow down, look closely, and notice what sustains us.  This month, I find my mind turning toward the gratitude I hold for this creative sanctuary.  Painting is often a solitary act, a quiet conversation between the artist and the canvas.  Yet, knowing we share this journey makes the solitary hours feel less lonely.  I am profoundly thankful for everyone’s presence in this group.  I am thankful for the boisterous conversations we share, the silent artistic focus that fills the Co-op room, and the gentle grace we should extend to one another.  Like when a painting demands a difficult revision, we can count on someone in the group to recommend a way through it.   Thank you for bringing your vision, your vulnerability, and your light to our South Arts Community.   May your studio be a place of peace. With gratitude, Kathy

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LET’S GET SOCIAL!

Introducing: Artist of the Month!

We are excited to launch a new monthly feature on our social media and website highlighting the incredible talent within our organization. We want to share your creativity with our community and get to know the artists behind the art!

Would you like to be featured? To be considered for the Artist of the Month, please email the following details to southartspitt@gmail.com (Subject: Artist of the Month).

Please include:

• Your full name

• High-quality image(s) of your artwork

• The title of the piece(s)

• The medium used (e.g., Oil on Canvas, Watercolor)

• The size of the original artwork or print

• Your professional website or portfolio link (if applicable)

We can't wait to see your work!

Help South Arts grow by liking, commenting on, and sharing our posts. Tag @southartspittsburgh and use #southartspittsburgh so we can feature your artwork in our posts and Stories.

Our social media chair may share photos from events and sessions, as well as member classes, shows, awards, and local nonprofit art events. Email photos to southartspitt@gmail.com with (Subject:  Social Media/Website).

• Facebook:South Arts Pittsburgh | Bethel Park PA 

• Instagram:@southartspittsburgh

• Private Facebook group: Search for South Arts Members Art Share orjoin the group to share and discuss current art and projects.

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NEWSLETTER:

• Have an announcement for our monthly newsletter? We welcome submissions about local artist events, member awards, classes, and shows. Please send complete information before the final week of the month to help ensure timely inclusion.

• The newsletter is emailed to members and friends on the morning of the first day of each month. Send details and photos to  southartspitt@gmail.com  (Subject: Newsletter).

Update Your Contact Information

Have you moved or changed your email address or phone number? Send your updated information to  southartspitt@gmail.com  (Subject: Membership).

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Contact Us:  southartspitt@gmail.com