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50TH ANNIVERSARY

Join Us on an Incredible Journey

In 2025, Sweetwater Center for the Arts is celebrating its 50th anniversary. We want to share our vision for the next half-century and invite you to be an integral part of our remarkable story.

Almost 50 years ago, three incredible women galvanized our community to support an arts and cultural center. Because of their dedication and with the support of forty-two local families, Sweetwater Art Center opened its doors in January 1975.

Over the past five decades, Sweetwater has been a place where artists find their voices and individuals of all ages come to learn and grow.

With recent transformational support from a regional foundation, Sweetwater has solidified a vision that will grow our impact for the next 50 years. This vision centers around innovative programming and strategic partnerships to create a community that supports thriving artists in our region.

Our 50th-anniversary campaign brings this new vision to the forefront, one that places the artists in our community at the very center of our mission.

Join us as we build a sustained future for Sweetwater.

Newspaper clipping with an illustration of the old Sewickley Post Office

THEN

Illustration of the Old Sewickley Post Office in the Sewickley Herald, dated November 1988, the year the building opened as the Sewickley Valley Cultural Center.

People in the gallery at Sweetwater looking at artwork

NOW

New exhibitions explore local and regional artists in a variety of art forms, attracting the attention of artists and art enthusiasts. The opening reception of Meticulous, a printmaking exhibition showcasing local and national printmakers.

Sweetwater Center for the Arts 50th Anniversary logo
The two core components of this transformative campaign are: A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN to Renovate the Community Room and Exhibition Space A SUSTAINABILITY CAMPAIGN to Establish an Endowment

SUSTAINABILITY CAMPAIGN

The Oliver Family Endowment

Established in memory of Sweetwater founding members David and Laura Oliver, The Oliver Family Endowment creates a sustained future for Sweetwater Center for the Arts. The endowment will provide continual support to the Center, focusing on four pillars as its foundation.

The Oliver Family Endowment tiers for giving

Contributions to the endowment can be pledged over the course of a maximum of five years and can include legacy gifts through estate planning.

Distributions will begin in the fall of 2026 in accordance with the donor’s wishes. Endowment benefactors will be annually recognized and receive a personalized annual report.

Download the pledge form
Make a contribution online
Girl working with clay on a potter's wheel
PILLAR ONE

Art Education
Commitment to ensuring the highest quality
art education in the region.

Different types of artwork on display in a gallery
PILLAR TWO

Artist Development
Commitment to providing access and
resources to help artists thrive.

Group of children with an artist in front of a spray painted wall
PILLAR THREE

Community Engagement
Commitment to building strong relationships
to broaden our reach and impact.

Entrance to Sweetwater Center for the Arts
PILLAR FOUR

Facility Improvement and Restoration
Commitment to maintaining our
historic building.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

The Founders Room

Sweetwater moved into the Old Sewickley Post Office in 1988 and has since been home to thousands of artists in our community. While our gallery and community room have served the Center well since it opened, the current state of the space no longer effectively serves the growing needs of our artists, students, and the community at large.

This capital campaign to reimagine and modernize the space will create a more inspiring and functional environment for creativity to thrive. This redesigned space is named to honor Founding Members Alice Snyder, Smokey Jack, and Trudy Hetherington.

Alice Snyder
ALICE
Smokey Jack
SMOKEY
Trudy Hetherington
TRUDY

All capital campaign benefactors will be displayed per tier within the redesigned space.

Capital Campaign Tiers $5,000 to $9,999 $10,000 to $24,999 $25,000 to $99,999 $100,000+ (Gallery Naming Rights
Download the pledge form
Make a contribution online
Concept design of the new community room, courtesy of Shelton Designs.
Concept design of the new community room, courtesy of Shelton Designs.

Click on the photo below to experience a walkthrough of our new Community Room.

Screenshot of community room design concept

These exciting campaigns will officially launch in early spring 2024.
Multi-year pledge commitments are available for all campaign donor levels.
Please contact Christine Brondyke via email or call or text 412-877-3098 for more information.