Families explore themes of Martin Luther King Day at Greensburg art museum's open house

Jan. 16—Marie Churley of Tarentum challenged her grandson to learn something about the Rev. Martin Luther King on Monday, the national holiday that honors the slain civil rights leader.

"He changed the world, and he helped people," said 7-year-old Ryan Smith of Swissvale.

The boy and his family arrived late in the morning to take in art, crafts, performances and a unity ceremony during a Martin Luther King Day open house at Greensburg's Westmoreland Museum of American Art.

Churley said she wanted her family "to see we can all be unified. Our skin may not be the same color, but we're all the same."

Before the museum event, family members attempted an act of community service: another aspect of the annual holiday that reflects King's philosophy. They spotted a loose dog but weren't able to catch up to it.

"We tried to get it, but we couldn't," said Ryan.

The boy's good intention didn't go unrewarded.

He received four tickets for a Duquesne University basketball game from one of the speakers at the museum event — Baron "B.B." Flenory, a 1980 Duquesne alumnus and 1976 Valley High School graduate who gained national recognition as a ninth grader for scoring 81 points in a junior high win over Deer Lakes.

A star guard, Flenory tried out for the Boston Celtics and played professionally in Venezuela in 1980-85. Now a placement manager working with kids with mental health challenges at Pressley Ridge, he's been honored by the Pittsburgh Basketball Club, which has attached his name to a new annual award that will go to the top high school guard in Western Pennsylvania.

Flenory said he was honored to be among speakers who took part in a unity candle ceremony that kicked off the museum's open house.

"It's a great day," he said. "I'm really glad of the turnout, with so many young people — both African American and Caucasian. "It's teaching the kids, while they're young, to love each other and to give back and serve."

By 1 p.m., about 120 visitors of varied ages and backgrounds had arrived at the open house. Museum CEO Silvia Filippini-Fantoni was shooting for an attendance of about 200 by the end of the day.

A native of Italy who joined the Greensburg museum in August, Filippini-Fantoni said she hadn't realized the full importance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States until her previous stint as the deputy director of learning and engagement at the Newark Museum of Art in New Jersey.

"It was not a day off," she said. "It was a day on — a day of celebration, a day of getting together.

"It was moving to see and to learn more about that message. I thought it was a great opportunity to celebrate it here at this museum and to really start some incredible partnerships."

To offer a full day of MLK-related activities, the museum collaborated with several groups including the Westmoreland Diversity Coalition, Unity in the Community, the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library and the Westmoreland and Greater Pittsburgh chapters of the YWCA, an organization that is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women and girls.

During his opening remarks, Flenory stressed the importance of volunteer service.

"Everybody in this room is standing on somebody's shoulders," he said. "You need to give back to your community.

"Whatever you can do to make this world a better place, it's incumbent upon each and every one of us to do that."

Keisha Jimmerson, dean of students and diversity officer at Seton Hill University, read an excerpt from one of King's writings: "Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice?"

Among the crafts visitors could take part in was pasting pieces of differently colored paper to create a rainbow collage in the shape of King's initials.

Taking a cue from one of King's most famous speeches, attendees also were able to create individual "I Have A Dream..." signs. New Kensington resident Kayla Johnson and her 10-year-old niece, Azaleia filled their signs with drawings and phrases indicating they're dreaming of a peaceful world filled with love.

Johnson said she wanted to expose her niece to artists who look like her — including ballerinas Indira Cunningham and Kaila Carter, who performed at the open house.

Aliquippa artist Marlon Gist displayed a series of acrylic paintings portraying scenes and leaders associated with the Underground Railroad, a mid-19th century series of safe houses where enslaved people could find shelter on their journey to freedom in the North.

"This is just part of what I do," said Gist. "I try to inspire people."

The Walker family from Monroeville customized signs and donned face paint to spell out their divided football loyalties ahead of Monday's NFL game between the Steelers and the Buffalo Bills. Mom Jen, a Buffalo native, and son Jude, 8, had "I Have A Dream" signs wishing for a Bills win, while Jude's twin sister, Genevieve, sided with dad Chris, a Steelers fan.

"We're a house divided today," Jen Walker admitted. Ultimately, she said, "We'll have to focus on the unity message of Martin Luther King Day, if we want to stay married after today."

Activities for the kids are part of what attracted the family the museum, she said.

On a past trip to Florida, she said, the family made stops in Montgomery and Birmingham, Ala., where they learned about civil rights history. At Monday's open house, they gained additional insights.

"It's always cool to have local opportunities to learn more," she said."

Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. . A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.