For Immediate Release	Contact: Carol O'Sullivan
Jun 6, 2006	412-681-5449 x205
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts Announces First Lifetime Achievement Award Winner (Pittsburgh, PA) — Pittsburgh artist Kathleen Zimbicki will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from Pittsburgh Center for the Arts – a first for the non-profit arts organization – on Thursday, June 29 at 6:00pm. It is free and open to the public. "This is the inaugural lifetime achievement award of Pittsburgh Center for the Arts," explained Laura Domencic, director of the PCA. "It is not an annual award, but based on merit, and for accomplished artists involved in the PCA. It grew out of the nomination process for the PCA's Artist of the Year Award." Kathleen Zimbicki is a well-known Pittsburgh-based artist and a tireless champion of working artists in the city. Zimbicki has been an enthusiastic instructor at the PCA's school and an active member of several PCA artist guilds for more than 30 years. In running her own gallery – Studio Z Gallery – she provided artists with invaluable exposure. She is the only living artist honored in a 100-year survey of American Master Watercolor Painters. She is a member of Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Artists' Equity, Pittsburgh Society of Artists, and Pittsburgh Watercolor Society. Besides PCA, she is a popular teacher at other locations, such as Sweetwater Arts, Carnegie Museum of Art and Carnegie Mellon University. She has even designed costumes for the Pittsburgh Ballet. "When considering the caliber of Zimbicki's work, her dedication to mentoring young artists and commitment to the well being of the Pittsburgh arts community," Domencic said, "the Center felt strongly about having a special kind of recognition." Speakers for the "roast" style event – which includes food, drinks and music – are: Ken Beer (Master of Ceremonies); Laura Domencic; critic Kurt Shaw; and fellow artists Lila Hirsch Brody, David Watts, Harry Schwalb and Adrienne Heinrich. Additional tributes from art critic Mary Thomas and retired art critic Donald Miller will be read. For more information call 412-361-0873.