Art Neighbors, Episode 1: Diversity on Display at the Harlan Gallery
Inspired by the center’s Art Neighbors joint exhibition with the Greensburg Art Center, the Latrobe Art Center is excited to be launching this new video blog titled, “Art Neighbors: Explore. Discover. Inspire." Once a month, viewers will have the opportunity to EXPLORE one of the art center’s many “art neighbors” in Westmoreland County and surrounding regions, DISCOVER their mission and influence, and get INSPIRED by their unique work and programming.
In this first episode, hear from Todd Keyser, Director of the Harlan Gallery at Seton Hill University, and curator Sheila Cuellar-Shaffer as they share information on the gallery and insight into the Billboard Art Project exhibit currently on display.
For additional information on the gallery, our guest speakers, and the Billboard Art Project, please see the links and information below.
Todd Keyser:
Todd Keyser is an abstract painter and arts writer. He received his BFA from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, and an MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD in 2011. He was formally the Assistant Director of Gross McCleaf Gallery (2011-2014) and Curator for Seraphin Gallery (2004-2007), both located in Center City Philadelphia, PA. Keyser presently teaches at Seton Hill University located in Greensburg, PA and is Director of the Harlan Gallery. Keyser has written for a variety of blogs on art and aesthetics including The Pittsburgh Articulate, Title Magazine (Philadelphia, PA), Bmore Art (Baltimore, MD), and Critical Eyes. org. In addition to writing for blogs, Keyser has written artist catalogue essays and has exhibited work in a number of group and solo exhibitions locally and regionally.
Personal website: https://todd-keyser.com/home.html
Sheila Cuellar-Shaffer:
Sheila Cuellar-Shaffer has been working as an artist, primarily as a painter, and designer for over 15 years. A native of Palmira, Colombia, Sheila graduated with a degree in Architectural Design from the Fundación Academia de Dibujo Profesional and studied Fine Arts at the Instituto Departamental de Bellas Artes in Cali, Colombia.
Sheila’s work has been shown at the Carnegie Museum of Art, State Museum of Pennsylvania, Susquehanna Museum of Art, Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art and numerous galleries in Pennsylvania, Florida, New York and Colombia. Sheila has been invited to show her work at the Pennsylvania State Capitol and the United States Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory. Her design Democracy is Power was chosen by the Amplifier Foundation curatorial team, which includes Shepard Fairey, to travel around the country with #powertothepolls, a touring exhibit to inspire people from around the country to take to the polls for the 2018 Midterm Elections.
Sheila currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Westmoreland Diversity Coalition and the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh. Her work represents her interest in identity, diversity, human rights, and social justice.
Personal website: https://cuellarshaffer.com/
The Harlan Gallery:
https://www.setonhill.edu/events/arts-events/
The BIllboard Art Project:
