Three Artists (Three Women)

Explore the varied experiences of women artists in Pittsburgh through the work of Tina Williams Brewer, Sheila Cuellar-Shaffer and Fran Gialamas.

Say their names: Tina Williams Brewer, Sheila Cuellar-Shaffer and Fran Gialamas.

These three artists (and three women) of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh come from diverse backgrounds; their work varies greatly in media and form. Yet these three distinct artists all use personal and cultural symbolism to examine themes of migration, family, history, and labor. Brewer is recognized for her story quilts that weave together familial and spiritual histories. Cuellar-Shaffer uses rich color to explore her personal experiences as a Colombian immigrant. Gialamas uncovers intersections of labor, industry, and gender in collage and on canvas.

The works of these women create a dialogue with the paintings of Mary Ethel McAuley on display in the front gallery. Despite the century that separates McAuley’s work from that of her heirs, these multiple generations of AAP artists show that strong women have long shaped the arts in Pittsburgh. Together, they highlight local networks of artmaking across time.