After many years of serving the community as the Sewickley Gallery & Frame Shop, we are rebranding to Mark Rengers Gallery. We're still the same team of professional framers and art fanatics, but from here on out we want to bring more art and artist appreciation to you! March 24th will kick off our new journey as Mark Rengers Gallery with the opening of an inspiring exhibition by local artist Elizabeth Castonguay, titled Endangered.

Castonguay's career has been dedicated to creating art about the sanctity of human diversity and preserving the biodiversity of nature. Her work quickly evolved to speak of the fragile interrelationships between humanity and our endangered world, a subject she has been involved in socially for a lifetime. For the past thirteen years, the artist has addressed these concepts in artworks while witnessing the numbers of endangered and threatened species skyrocket from 40,000 to over one million. The paintings often depict the human form with endangered flora and fauna, species which are as important to nature's fine balance as humankind, if not more. The selective use of color and figures show the universality of the problems humanity is facing and the need for a global partnership. The artist's work speaks in a universal language for all viewers to internalize, reflect, and see the face of a world that we have painted.

The artist says, "a celebration of the diversity of humanity is key to unlocking the door to peace in a world plagued by prejudice, hatred, and war." While within the works there is great sense of urgency, there is also a sense of hope for a better and brighter future.

About the artist:

Castonguay's family moved to a suburb of NYC when she was a young child. Her and her family frequented the city, exposing her to museums and the magnificent palette of humanity. By age four she realized she was an artist. When studying oil painting at age eight, she knew she would have an obligation to use her art to speak about a better world.

Castonguay went on to earn BA, BFA, and MFA degrees in Gettysburg, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. She then returned to Pittsburgh where her art career and life have been dedicated to the sanctity of human diversity and preserving the biodiversity of Mother Nature.

Her paintings have been in exhibitions around the US and abroad, including the Westmoreland Museum of Art, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Art, State Museum of Pennsylvania, Salmagundi Art Club, National Arts Club Gallery, Denise Bibro Fine Art Gallery, Ceres Gallery, Amarillo Museum of Art, and the Regina A. Quick Center Museum.

View the exhibition online at our new website!

Text ARTLIFE to 412-305-6420 to join our VIP group and stay up to date on this exhibition and more!