Northwestern Pennsylvania Artists Association
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http://npaaonline.org We are a private non-profit visual artists' organization formed to help define
07/03/2025
07/03/2025
Hey friends,
We are excited to share over 50 in the NPAA Biennial 9 art exhibition this summer at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) in Erie.
This is such a meaningful venue, located right at the entrance to Presque Isle, and the show highlights a beautiful range of work by regional artists.
🖼️ The exhibition runs from July 1 to September 30 in the upstairs gallery at TREC.
🍷 The Gala Reception is happening on Saturday, July 12 from 5 to 9 PM, and I’ll be there that evening. I’d love for you to stop by and say hello, enjoy the art, music, and refreshments, and take in the atmosphere.
We hppe to see you there!
07/02/2025
https://www.yourerie.com/video/free-art-gallery-opens-at-tom-ridge-environmental-center/10855102
Free art gallery opens at Tom Ridge Environmental Center A vibrant regional art exhibition opened to the public on Tuesday, free of charge.
06/19/2025
2nd Arty Party Showcase, Lottery & Auction
Posted by: Jodi Staniunas- Hopper on Mon Jun 09 2025
2nd Arty Party Showcase, Lottery & Auction
Greetings, The Arty Party will occur October 29, 2025 from 6-9pm. I hope we have a similarly wonderful response from the NPAA Membership as we had our inaugural year. See below for Art Lottery participation details.
NEW THIS YEAR:
• Arty Party Lottery Preview Night: October 22nd, 5-7PM Come see the art show, participate in advance for the basket raffle and major prize, and enjoy a happy hour.
• $100 ticket holders receive a Tote and Piece of Student Artwork (Participating artist can still get a ticket for the 30% discount, $70.)
• $20 ticket holders (Free ticket for Participating Artists) there will be a Cash Bar available.
DROP-OFF: TBA
PARTICIPATION: Artist may loan up to 2 works to be included in the Arty Party Lottery. They should be valued at $350 or more. For each loaned work, participating artists can receive a $20 free ticket or a discounted $100 ticket for $70. If your work is selected in the Lottery drawing you will receive an honorarium of $250. Unselected work may be picked up Thursday October 30-31. Time TBA
1. Invitation for NPAA Artists (to Make a Video)
Subject: Help Promote Biennial 9 – Make a Quick Artist Video!
Dear NPAA Artists,
We’re excited to kick off promotions for Biennial 9 and would love your help in creating some fun, personal energy around the event!
We’re asking participating artists to record a short video (about 30- 180 seconds) introducing yourself, showing a glimpse of your work-in-progress (or finished piece!), and inviting the public to come see your artwork at the Gala Reception on Saturday, July 12.
Your video doesn’t need to be fancy — a quick clip from your studio, kitchen table, or creative space is perfect! We’ll feature these videos on NPAA’s social media, website, and event promotions to build excitement. It is important that you post it to your social media pages as it is your audience that will be excited to come see you at the opening.
Need inspiration? Here's a simple script you can follow (or personalize):
2. Simple Artist Video Script
(Feel free to personalize this and make it your own!)
[Start with a smile!]�"Hi, I’m [Your Name], a member of NPAA and one of the artists participating in Biennial 9 at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center!"
[Show your piece or workspace briefly]�"I’m excited to be part of this amazing exhibition — here’s a sneak peek of my work [or 'I'm finishing up my piece!']."
[Invite them to attend]�"I hope you’ll join us for the Gala Reception on Saturday, July 12, from 5 to 9 PM — come see all the incredible artwork, enjoy live music, food, and vote for the People’s Choice Award!"
[Close warmly]�"See you at Biennial 9!"
Video Tips
Keep it casual, friendly, and under a minute if you can
Film vertically (phone held upright) if you want it Instagram-optimized
Good lighting (facing a window works great!)
Speak naturally — perfection isn't the goal, your energy is!
Where to send it:�Please email your finished video clip to [Insert email address you want them to send to – could be Marsha's or yours] by [Insert deadline — maybe June 15?].
We can’t wait to see you and your work shine!
🎉 NPAA Presents: Biennial 9 at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center
Join us for Biennial 9, our summer-long exhibition celebrating the creativity and talent of NPAA’s regional artists!
🖼️ Exhibit Dates: July 1 – September 30, 2025
📍 Location: Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC), Upstairs Gallery
🎟️ Admission: Free and open to the public
This major group exhibition features original works from NPAA members across Northwestern Pennsylvania — from striking landscapes to modern sculpture and environmentally inspired pieces.
✨ Gala Reception
📅 Saturday, July 12 | 🕔 5–9 PM
🎶 Live music by PianoPunk
🍷 Catered refreshments, wine, beer
🏆 Member-voted awards & a public People’s Choice Award!
We’re proud to celebrate our 51st year of championing the visual arts in our region. Art drives commerce. Art builds community. And NPAA is proud to be part of that story.
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
From the Start
Origins of NPAA
In 1974 when the NPAA was founded, there was a need for professional artists to band together to help each other promote the visual arts as well as to protect their artistic endeavors from being exploited by an uninformed public.
Most non artists thought painting, drawing, and sculpting was "fun", "easy," and a "hobby." Therefore non profit organizations would call upon artists to donate works for auction to raise money for worthy causes and give nothing to the artist in return. Many times the work was sold for a small sum and often criticized. This was especially true in the case of abstract art. Where other professionals were asked for tax deductible monetary contributions, the artist was expected to give his work freely.
To initially create a uniform policy for art donations, three local artists and an one art advocate (the Schabackers and Sundbergs) formed a basic organization that would represent local professional visual artists. The organization, named the Northwestern Pennsylvania Artists Association (NPAA), then decided it would base its membership on the national organization "Artist Equity" which required its members to be accepted to at least three national exhibits. The first committee chosen to draft the bylaws included: Dan Burke, John Deckard, Tony Ko, Andrew Sanders, Betty Schabacker, Carl Sundberg, and John Vanco.
Now in its 44th year, the NPAA organizes several annual exhibits for its 140+ members’ participation, annually donates college scholarship monies to local graduating high-school seniors, and generally promotes the visual arts in the tri-county community.
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Erie, PA