Local artist, CJ Hurley is in an exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Artists Association (NPAA) at Mercyhurst University’s Cummings Art Gallery.

NPAA was founded in 1974 by a small group of visionary artists, and has grown into a thriving organization of more than 100 professional artists. The organization’s mission is to support established and emerging artists through exhibitions, education, and scholarships. Through the group’s Endowment Fund, they have awarded over $106,000 in scholarships to 47 students supporting young students interested in pursuing the arts professionally.

In the course of 50 years, NPAA has hosted over 100 exhibitions, and the 50th Anniversary Exhibition features works from current members. The exhibition showcases a range of artistic mediums, including painting, sculpture, mixed media and photography.

CJ Hurley was accepted into the group in 2023. He has exhibited with NPAA in four exhibitions since. The Cummings Art Gallery exhibition is his fifth exhibit with NPAA and his work is represented by his painting, “The Realm of the Butterflies.”

Hurley says, “The Realm of the Butterflies is probably the ultimate expression of ideas imbedded in the paintings of my series, The Lyrical Landscape. It features an idealistic representation of humankind, architecture and nature acting in harmony with one another.”

The NPAA 50th Anniversary exhibition runs through January 17. Cummings Gallery is located in Erie. The gallery’s hours are Monday through Friday, 2-6 pm.

Contact mcote@mercyhurst.edu or call (814) 824-2174 for information, or to schedule viewings and tours.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s November 2024 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.