By Samarah Guy  

Photo by: Samarah Guy

On Saturday April 20^th, GS students participated in the Greensburg ArtsWalk.  

The ArtsWalk is an annual event in Greensburg’s “Art Alley” where local artists and small businesses get to display and sell their work while enjoying live performances, food trucks, small activities and much more.  

“ArtsWalk is a collaborative effort between the Westmoreland Cultural Trust, Westmoreland Museum of American Art and Seton Hill Performing Arts to help showcase local artists and performers, while also generating downtown business,” Event and Program Specialist for Westmoreland Cultural Trust Ari Burkel said. “Many businesses within the cultural district of downtown Greensburg open their shops up to galleries, showcases, performances and activities that help advocate the importance of all kinds of art.”  

In the fall, students created their own individual designs and painted skateboards that are currently being displayed throughout the small businesses in Greensburg.  

The skateboards were auctioned off to raise money for two different causes: half of the funds raised went to The Giving Tree project (a GS tradition that helps students who may need financial assistance during Christmas time), while the other half went towards the art department for items like supplies, exhibition opportunities and field trips.  

Last year’s group of art students worked with partners to paint wooden chairs which were then auctioned off to raise money for the same purposes.  

“Last year we did an art auction of these chairs,” art teacher Mr. Darryl Audia said. “We didn’t make them go with the ArtsWalk because it was a month ahead. The local businesses supported this and said, ‘Why don’t we do it with something that’s already existing, which is the ArtsWalk.’”  

This year was the first year GS got to participate in the ArtsWalk. 16 students, Alexa Anker, John Ashbaugh, Sydney Dainty, Sarah Glowa, Josalynn Hayden, Adrien Isenberg, Laila Kerns, Paige Kline, Lucy McChesney, Chyna Moore, David Mori, Giavanna Rosensteel, Adrianna Scalzo, Kerrick Shaw, Tyler Shaw and Brad Skero were acknowledged for their contributions to the ArtsWalk.  

“Having my work showcased at an event like this was really cool,” Ashbaugh said. “Also, when we received our certificates from Mr. Audia, I felt honored to be recognized in front of so many people for my creativity.”  

The students were presented with certificates by Audia, after which they signed banners of their boards for display in the Art Alley.  

Photo by: Samarah Guy

 “I care very much for all my students, but it’s moments like these where I am so proud of not just their talent but also their selflessness,” he said. “It is one thing to make a killer work of art…that’s great stuff for sure.  However, it’s quite another matter to then go and give that awesome artwork away to benefit others. I have so much respect for our student skateboard design team.”