Archives & Special Collections (A&SC) within the University Library System (ULS) is pleased to announce the opening of two recently acquired photograph collections by father (Frank Russell Hightower) and son (Frank Floyd Hightower). His son, Frank Floyd, followed in his footsteps to also become a professional photographer as well as a playwright and artist. His photos from the 1960s to the present document Black Theater in Pittsburgh, including the work of August Wilson, Rob Penny, Bob Johnson, Maisha Baton and Hightower himself. Community activities such as Black arts festivals and meetings held by community organizations like the Manchester Citizen’s Corporation are also documented. As a whole, these collections provide a remarkable visual representation of the African American community in Pittsburgh over eight decades.

On Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 4 PM Miriam Meislik (A&SC Media Curator) will host a conversation with Frank Floyd Hightower to talk about his career and highlight significant photographs.

event takes place at the Hillman Library in Oakland.

I have published a new book, THE ASTOUNDING BRIDGES OF PITTSBURGH, which contains 30 of my plein air watercolors of our regions bridges plus 5 others of note. It is 32 pages, 8 1/2" x 8 1/2", soft cover, price is $20.00. In coordination with the book is an exhibition of 22 of the paintings at The Concept Gallery in Regent Square. The exhibition will close on May 27. 

"Mill Memories" opens Saturday April 15, 1-4 pm.  at BE Galleries, 3583 Butler St. , and runs through May 27. 

Artist Jack Puglisi displays thirty years’ worth of unique pointillism artwork

Lifelong Pittsburgh native Jack Puglisi will be displaying his creations of highly detailed pen-and-ink drawings from Thursday, April 6, through Friday, April 28, 2023, at Spinning Plate Gallery, 5720 Friendship Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. A meet-the-artist opening reception will be held on Saturday, April 15, from 5:00 to 8:00. Puglisi will also host a special artist talk at the gallery in which he will discuss his artwork, themes, methods, and related topics on Saturday, April 22, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

His primary medium is pen and ink, and the technique of pointillism is the expression he favors most. Pointillism is the method of composing pictures from thousands upon thousands of hand-placed dots of ink, creating colors and shades by the juxtaposition of the dots. A large picture can take up to three months to complete, with countless hours invested in the finished piece.