Kathy Finch
Co-President

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

Mike Lowe

Co-President

Mike is a retired executive with a 30-year career in the truck rental industry, bringing decades of leadership and community-minded experience to South Arts Pittsburgh, where he currently serves as co-vice president. He joined South Arts Pittsburgh in July 2025 after picking up a pen and discovering that sketching came naturally to him - an unexpected spark that quickly grew into a focused artistic practice. Since then, he has entered his work into multiple art shows and has earned a growing number of commissions for custom ink and watercolor portraits celebrating customers' beloved pets. Beyond the studio, Mike and his wife have devoted more than 21 years to animal rescue and have helped save nearly 450 dogs. He also built a second career as a musician - drummer, percussionist, and bassist - performing in bands from age 17 until the start of COVID-19, a long running commitment to craft and collaboration that continues to form his work today.

Vice President - OPEN POSITION

- OPEN POSITION

Pat Miyamoto
Secretary - OPEN POSITION

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.

Cheryl Chivers & Laura Cannella

Treasurer

Committee Chairs

Class Coordinators
Open

Communications/Public Relations
Christine Koeppelle-Dugan

Event Coordinator
OPEN

Figure Drawing Liaison
Ms. Dale Gregg

Galleria Show Coordinator
Kathy Finch

Grant & Scholarship Liaison

Christine Koeppelle-Dugan

Hospitality
Patty Fedor

Historian/Archivist*
OPEN

Membership
Cheryl Chivers

Newsletter

Melissa Davis

Open Studio Manager

Mike Lowe

Open Studio Workshops Coordinators

OPEN

Schoolhouse Gallery Art Exhibit Coordinators
leva Levkus, and Sue Ralston

Schoolhouse Artist Markets Coordinators
Alex Baratta and Samantha Giancola

Social Media
Francine Smith

Website Editor/Webmaster

Francine Smith

South Arts is proudly sponsored in part by a generous grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

Board Members

Cheryl Chivers & Laura Cannella

Committee Chairs