Arts and Entertainment

Local artist Sam Corey in art gallery during June

Blue Olive Galleries presents “Portraits Ink”

Artist and framer Sam Corey of Blue Olive Galleries, prepares to frame an ink and graphite portrait of late Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope. Corey's work will be on display in June at the Penn State New Kensington Art Gallery. Credit: Bill Woodard / Penn State. Creative Commons

UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- Sam Corey, a local artist who specializes in sports, recreational and historical portraits, is the featured artist in June at the Penn State New Kensington Art Gallery.His one-man show, “Portraits Ink,” comprises more than 25 ink and graphite portraits that have a distinct Pittsburgh sports flavor. A drawing of former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw lighting the cigar of "The Chief," a.k.a. Art Rooney Sr., the late Steelers owner, is a part of the display. Other pieces depict “City of Champions” favorites Roberto Clemente, Sydney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Hines Ward, as well as local high school athletes.“My subjects are people and pets, and I work on a heavy watercolor stock with India ink and woodless graphite with a touch of color,” said Corey, who holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from La Roche University. “I always loved the contrast qualities of mixing ink and graphite. Permanent India ink and woodless graphite last forever. I read while the old masters’ paintings were falling apart, their sketches were still in pristine condition.”Complementing the sports-theme exhibit are drawings of historical figures, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Corey also captured in ink early horror movie icons Lon Chaney Jr. and Bela Lugosi, both as themselves and as their legendary characters Wolfman and Dracula.  From his Lower Burrell studio, the 56-year-old artist draws from photographs, but not always on the heavy paper. Corey’s body of work includes bed sheets and shower curtains that served as his canvas. The oversized drawings of Rooney and Myron Cope, the former Steelers' announcer who passed away in 2009, garnered national television attention when they were displayed at Heinz Field during a Steelers' game.Blue Olive GalleriesIn addition to commissioning a drawing, clients can get their work framed at the same time. Corey is a custom-framer and his business, Blue Olive Galleries, is run out of his studio. Formerly located in the Pittsburgh Mills mall, Blue Olive Galleries’ hallmark is high-quality frames and service at a low cost. Corey’s superior craftsmanship provides the local community an opportunity to preserve precious keepsakes. For more about Blue Olive Galleries, visit www.BlueoliveGalleries.comThe exhibit is Corey’s second at the campus, and his first solo show. In 2009, he teamed with fellow sports artist Larry Klukaszewski for a summer display.The New Kensington campus gallery is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. weekends.For photos of the exhibit, visit http://psnk.smugmug.com/

Last Updated June 17, 2015

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