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Art and Steel
View the Photo Gallery for Art and SteelAimee Obidzinski/For the Tribune-Review
View the Photo Gallery for Flight of the Butterfly
Aimee Obidzinski/For the Tribune-Review
View the Photo Gallery for more Fanfare photos
Aimee Obidzinski/For the Tribune-Review
Making his home here from 1903-21, the Lithuanian immigrant was one of the first members of the Associated Artists and held his own at several Carnegie Internationals with the likes of John Singer Sargent and Impressionists Mary Cassatt, Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro.
Legend has it that the groundwork for the formation of U.S. Steel was laid at the Duquesne Club. So it came to pass on Friday that we returned to this cathedral of commerce for a glimpse of steel's great century. Never mind the invite didn't include oars; 105 artsy stallwarts braved Ivan's torrential storms for the opening of The Legacy of Art and Steel. On view are 29 of Gorson's incandescent masterworks that knocked our Wellies off. Fitting, too, that a portrait of Andrew Carnegie (Carnegie Steel was the centerpiece of USS) smiled on the scene.
Although the very private club has its own spectacular art collection, a Rubicon was crossed with the exhibit. The board made a bold move by creating a charitable foundation that will, gasp, open it to the public until Oct. 15. Reservations are required, of course, to see this time capsule of Pittsburgh's industrial might.
The eve was a testimony to architect and Art Society prez Lucian Caste, there with Rita, who masterminded the smashing show. A chamber group played at cocktails, and music continued as guests feasted on a demitasse of wild mushroom puree, corn-dusted sea scallop and seared foie gras, petite filet of veal tenderloin and braised veal cheek, and milk chocolate mousse bombe. The service was impeccable, and gardenias, dahling, floated in silvery bowl centerpieces. Remarks on Gorson and the era were relevant, especially the witty insights by Westmoreland Museum's Judith O'Toole and Gavin Spanierman of the Spanierman Gallery in New York.
Here's an idea of the guest list: DC prez Jim Murdy; Sallie and Arthur Schwotzer (he and Lucian are the largest private makers of fruit cakes in Western Pa.!); Karen and Ed Linder who brilliantly installed the exhibit; Bill Genge; Tova and Dr. Joel Tarr; Art/Library chair Bruce Wolf with Sheryl and son Kendal; Ann and Ron Wertz; Steve and Helen Hanna Casey; Betsy and Mike Marcu; Carol and Jim Chaplin; Woody Turner; Bonnie and Paul Titus; Meg and George Cheever; Dr. Doreen Boyce; Barbara McKenna; Diane and Alan Perer.
As well as Karen and Jim Johnson; Debby and Dan Booker; Dee Bold; Dr. Elliott Kramer and Bill Modrak; Mark Bennett; Jean and Bill Hauber; Marian Mosites with son Steve and his wife Cindy Sunseri; Sherle and Mike Berger; Ann and Eban Adams; Toni and Trevor Macpherson; Libby and Dr. Bill Everett; Debbie Dodds; Florence and Harvey Zeve; Candy and Gary Davis; Marion and Andrew Fisher; Bill Casey and Lorraine Taylor; and DC manager Scott Neill and Jen with Nancyann Letterio, who saw to gala's every detail.
Take a bow, Lucian.
| Flight of the Butterfly |
With a stellar political career and even more enduring marriage to their credit, Ginny and ex-PA guv Dick Thornburgh somehow always manage to find the time to devote their talents to bettering the lives of adults and children with disabilities. As U.S. Attorney General, he championed the landmark Americans With Disabilities Act, while his better half authored several books that advocated the rights of our physically challenged citizens. Gracious and modest as always, they were honored during Saturday's Woodlands Auxiliary Butterfly Ball at the Pittsburgh Field Club.
"There's no place like the Woodlands," said Ginny Thornburgh of the Wexford center where the dedicated staff never stops imagining the possibilities for the youngsters in their care. Under the guidance of pediatric neurosurgeon and board chief Dr. Don Reigel (with Gay), who performed life-saving surgery on the Thornburghs' son Peter, the Woodlands provides opportunities for all.
Just three years old, this black-tie rivals its senior benefit galas for glam, grace and style. Led by co-chairs Aimee Usher and Charlene Campbell, this butterfly bash collected notables such as Woodlands prez Peter Clakely and Gail; auxiliary co-prexies Linda Savin (with Aaron) and Laurie Troutman (with Jeff); Christina and Rob Cochran; Dara and John Henne, who donated stunning jewelry for the silent auction; Beth Ann and Frank Fuhrer; Sandy and Tom Usher; WTAE's Jake Ploeger and Abby; Roseanne Wholey and Dr. Mark; Sarah and Rob Woodings; Maggie Sitko and Patrick Sweeney; Kara and Dan Conomikes; Kathleen and Joe DiMartino; Martha Kummer and Kelly Scott; Jennifer and Brad Kelly; Ray Carter; Joan and Greg Mortenson; Karen and Drew Morrison; Beth Snyder; and auctioneer supreme Jim Roddey with Elin.
-- John Altdorfer
| French Twist |
Everyone loves secret gardens. There's not even a hint of the riotous array of fragrant jasmin and Gabriel trumpet trees from the street. Or that an arm-long list of perennials and annuals, dotted with enchanting bird cottages and a gazebo, battle it out with roses in the oom-pah-pah gardens and exquisite Shadyside manse of Dan Catanzaro and Craig McDonald, a launch pad for Quantum Theatre's new season that will open in the spring with "Dog Face."
Glomming onto the trailer park setting in the French play, Monday's party had a deliciously naughty frisson. Damsels in flirty frocks applied tattoos at the garden gate and sipped champagne in tin cans (from Francis Ford Coppola's vineyard, yet). As the invite teased, wine flowed, hearts broke, jokes cracked, and Attack Theater's Michele de la Reza and Peter Kope enthralled 200 guests with a vignette that was poetry in dance. Another revelation was Aroma's gastro-graze with a French accent. Not to mention raising nearly $20K for the plucky company.
Taking time to smell the roses were QT founder Karla Boos and prez Charlie Humphrey; Barbara Luderowski and Michael Olijnyk; Trib's wine guy Dave DeSimone and Kate; co-chairs Pam McCrory, Jan Meade (with Ken and Ernie) and Jessica Brown; Dee Jay Oshry; Caryn Rubinoff; Lea Simonds and Harley Trice; Barbara Barry; Peter Karlovich and Steve Herforth; Fran and Jim Abraham; Jenifer and Mark Evans; Holly Buffinton and Vic Bove; Sheila Rathke; Faye Sampson and Dennis Huber; Tom Hollander; Joan and Jerry Apt; Mary McVay and son Tim; Larry Leahy; Richard Parsakian; Henry Simonds; Judge Manny Smith; and Marcy Austen in a fab mint feathered shrug.
Quel swell.
| School Work |
How can this be an inner-city high school? Tuesday, the eagle landed on the splendid renovation project under way at Oakland Catholic High. As mascot of this all-lass school, he's preening over the new Donahue Pavilion, a gleaming complex of art studios, cafeteria, fitness center and, alley-oop, a basketball court that has its national powerhouse team jumping for joy.
Honoring Rhodora and Jack Donahue (he's chairman of the global financial giant, Federated Investors), who are concerned with making things better in our town, not with carving their name in marble, it's a first for the family. But just try saying no to their daughter, Katherine Freyvogel, prexy of OCHS and the project's divining light.
Cloud nine? Try 10 for the ecstatic donors at a private party with Bishop Donald Wuerl before the dedication, where we spotted OCHS principal Maureen Marsteller; Ron Petnuch; Ruth and Fred Egler; Ann and Chris Donahue; Katherine's hubby Tighe Freyvogel; Dee Bold; Lyn and Jim Getz; Mary Ita and John McGonigle; Carol and Joe Massaro; Lenora and Dr. Kenneth Vesio; Sue and Bill Rielly; Anne and George Rudolph; Ron Bowes; very Rev. Lawrence DiNardo; Jeanne and Tom Celli; Hugh Dempsey; Marsetta Schweiger; and Debbie and Rich Talarico.
Gym-dandy.
| High and dry fashions |
Though Ivan the Terrible's downpours temporarily washed out Friday's scheduled Pittsburgh Fashion Story, the saga continued Saturday when a bevy of gorgeous Saks Fifth Avenue-clad dolls and gents prowled the catwalk at South Side's Jay Verno Studio to benefit the Allegheny Children's Initiative, which provides intensive one-on-one care for troubled youngsters and their families
Some 300-plus dedicated followers of fashion turned out for the rollicking runway revue that featured an eclectic combo of elegance and casual ensembles, all complemented with this season's hottest accessory -- the brooch. Mingling before the show and grazing on savories from the Strip's DejaVu were fashionistas such as co-chairs John Lamberson and Doug Tjelmeland; FOX-53's Sheila Hyland; new Saks GM Karen Peter: Lori Braszo; Bob Davis; stylist Richard Bryant; Eddie Edwards; co-producers Amber Albert and Tara Rieland; ACI CEO Don DiMichele; Patricia Johnson; Grove Demming; Madonna Smith; Mary Mitchell; Liz Krobet and Bill Burgunder; Deb Docherty; Courtney Lynch and Michael Pijanowski; Gary Paparella; Amy Joseph; and Dr. Barbara and Tori Mistick.
-- J. A.
| Ciao down |
The brick oven was roaring at Enrico's, the neighborhood ristorante in Shadyside that's a haunt for foodies seeking rustic retro classics. The dining area opened to the sidewalk on Monday with a fast-forward crowd celebrating the charmer's first birthday, while raising funds for the Homeless Children's Education Fund.
Celeb chef Luigi Caruso tossed pasta with owner Larry Lagatuta, David Caliguiri tended bar, his mom Jeanne waited tables, the flavor of Italy was in every dish, and Izzazu's Emilio greeted the grateful fed. They included HCEF prez Joe Lagana; Herman Tomer; Scott and Tony Accamando; Steve Massaro; Bonnie Tambellini; Mary Legas; Cheech and Bruce Capristo; Joey Vallerian; Tom Yargo; Franco D'Amico; Lolli Rendina; Carole Clifford; and Reid Vogel.
That's amore.
| Quick Takes |
-- J.A.
