Art Gallery to Host "LUSH" Exhibit

Approaching its fourth anniversary in August, the Jeff Edwards Gallery has hosted five shows since the start of the year, and opens its sixth this weekend.

“There’s nothing like this in the South Hills,” said Jeff Waugaman, owner of Jeff Edwards Gallery in Bethel Park. “We’re trying to create something you’d see in Shadyside on Ellsworth Avenue.”

The L U S H art exhibition, showing July 9 to Aug. 13, features three artists, all who specialize in different techniques. Approximately 60 pieces will be on display, Waugaman said.

Award-winning artist Kit Paulsen, of Washington County, will be showing a series of watercolor works, which recreate scenes from the Washington County Fair and Demolition Derby. According to a release, her paintings have been described as “expressive,” “brave,” and “Hey lady, what’s this supposed to be?”

She will have two pastels, six nudes and many landscapes on display, Waugaman said.

John Hinderliter, an award-winning illustrator living in Pittsburgh, will be featuring mostly illustrations, oil paintings and some nudes.

Both he and Paulsen are members of the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, Associated Artist of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators.

Greene County native and the third artist featured, David Lesako, spent 30 years as a public school teacher and five years as an adjunct art instructor at Waynesburg University.

He has very large, bold and bright pieces, Waugaman said. His landscapes document the beauty of rural Greene County as it evolves with time.

To kick off the show, the gallery is hosting an opening reception Saturday evening from 6-8 p.m.

Waugaman said he aimed at creating a venue to allow local artists to “show, display and sell their original work,” versus what you’d purchase in a “big box store.”

That being said, he’s proud to host this exhibition for the South Hills community.

“You’re buying an original piece of art,” he said. “Something to have and to hold onto.”

The L U S H exhibition runs through Aug. 13, and includes watercolors, oils on canvas, pastels, illustrations and more.

Check out Jeff Edwards Gallery on Facebook for updates.

This story originally appeared on Peters Patch