Waterways & Landscape of Western PA Inspire Red Brick Gallery Artists

RBG First Exhibit in 2026

The beauty and eloquence of the river flowing through time has inspired artists, authors and poets from painters Turner and Monet to William Wordsworth’s “mirror of the soul” and Norman Maclean’s novella “A River Runs Through It.”

Similarly, in the first exhibit of the Red Brick Gallery‘s 2026 season, two artists feature works in distinct media that have been inspired by the waterways and landscape of Western Pennsylvania.

The earthenware ceramics of Charlie Platt and paintings and drawings of Jason Floyd Lewis will be displayed in the Upstairs Gallery on weekends for six weeks from Friday, April 17 to May 24. Both are RBG cooperative artists, and Jason Lewis serves as the gallery’s curator and artistic director.

RBG weekend hours are Fridays, 1-6 PM; Saturdays, 11 AM to 7 PM; Sundays, 12 noon to 5 PM at17 Main Street, Foxburg, PA 16036. RBG exhibits and opening receptions are open to all.

On Saturday, April 18 from 5 to 7 PM, there will be an exhibit soft opening before the CATRO and Key Factor concert at 7:30 PM, a musical tribute to ARCA’s former Executive Director, the late Drew Orient, who inspired the creation of the RBG by founder Donna Edmonds. Tickets $20, beer/wine sold, dancing. Information / tickets: alleghenyriverstone.org  

The Opening Wine & Cheese Reception will be on Sunday, May 3, from 4 to 6 PM, following the Lincoln Hall concert of International Piano Laureate David Allen Wehr with Pittsburgh Symphony Flutist Rhian Kenny and guitarist John Marcinizyn in The History of The Tango at 2 PM in Lincoln Hall.  Adults $25, ARCA Member Discount $20, Students Free.

Charlie Platt describes his connection to the earth, the Allegheny River valley and ceramics: “I love the “mud”! A more versatile medium would be hard to find. A lump of clay can be transformed in so many different ways. I have always found it interesting that a wet, malleable, piece of earth can be manipulated by hand and transformed with heat into a rock-hard permanent work of art.

I enjoy being outdoors, and during the warmer months I take pleasure in time spent on and around the Allegheny River, mostly between Franklin and Parker, cycling the trails and paddling my kayak on day trips and overnight camping on the river’s islands. During the colder months I retreat to the studio. My artwork is influenced, as of late, by my time around and on the river and what I see there.”

Charlier Platt grew up in West View, north of Pittsburgh, and was influenced by his father’s appreciation for the arts who also was a mechanical engineer, Renaissance Man, arts patron, collector, amateur photographer, and stained-glass craftsman.

Charlie was first introduced to clay at North Hills High School by Keith Herchenroether. He graduated from Edinboro University with a BFA (ceramics) and teaching certificate. A job, straight out of college, as a Childcare Specialist at a children’s home, turned into a full-time career. In 2020, with his son grown and an early retirement brought on by the pandemic, Charlie was able to return to his studio and creating with clay.

Working in both graphite and oils, Jason Floyd Lewis paints landscapes as his primary subject matter because of his love for the natural beauty in the area where he grew up. Since 2004 Jason has lived in Clarion with his wife Amanda who is a cold porcelain artist.

Born in Clarion PA and graduated from Clarion Area High School where he was introduced to drawing and inspired to pursue art, Jason attended the Columbus College of Art and Design where he earned a BFA in Fine Art. He went on to attain an MFA in Drawing at Bowling Green State University, completing his schooling in 2004.

Jason describes his connection to nature: “Observation has always been at the core of my artistic approach, with nature being the ideal.  Recently, I have been exploring ways in which subjectivity can affect my work while staying within the realm of honest observation.  Having relied heavily on digital photos in my creative process, remembered observations have started to play a larger role, and several of my new drawings were completed entirely from memory.”