Frank Mason (1921-2009)
Interior Worlds
January 10 – February 15, 2026
Frank Mason (1921-2009), in his 57 years as an art educator at the Art Students League of New York, maintained the tradition of passing along centuries-old practices of oil painting to three generations of artists. Introduced to him at age 16 by his mentor, Frank Vincent Dumond, Mason held the view that attention to the craft of painting contributes to its timelessness. An observer might notice that Mason’s paintings embrace the creation of form and motion revealed by light and seen through atmosphere. This exhibition focuses on Mason’s passion for interior genre scenes and still life scenes. Mason once said to former student, James Silkowski (Pittsburgh artist and educator) that, “There is movement in a still life. A still life should not be still.” Mason believed that painting and illustration should not copy the subject, but capture the specific sensations that nature, in all its forms, has made upon the artist.
Mason possessed an ability to paint portraits in the grand manner and also traveled throughout the United States and Europe to produce an extensive body of landscape paintings. His mural commissions were awarded some of the highest global honors, including the Cross of Merit, Prima Classe, bestowed on him by the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta, who commissioned eight paintings depicting the life of Saint Anthony of Padua for their Priory in Venice, Italy. Mason was the only artist to receive this honor since Renaissance artists Caravaggio and Mattia Preti.
Mason’s enthusiasm in preserving the artistic traditions of the past led to the rediscovery of lost techniques and oil medium preparations. Working with Jacques Maroger, the former president of the Louvre Laboratoire. A dominant force preserving the ancient techniques of the past, Mason was a key player in bringing poor restoration practice to light, culminating in his organized protest over the overzealous restoration of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.
Join us on Thursday, January 22 at 6:30pm for a reception and screening of A Light in the Dark, documenting Frank Mason as he reveals the scandal behind art restoration and fights to preserve our cultural heritage.
Wonder what other works we’ve featured? Check out our list of past displays!
Call for Exhibit Proposals
Calling all artists, creatives, and collectors! The Sewickley Public Library is seeking proposals for engaging exhibits in their display cases for the 2026 season. The display cases are ideal for solo exhibits or small group shows. There are eight display cases, roughly 46”h x 45”w x 11”d each with removable shelves. 2-dimensional work as well as small 3-dimensional objects may be displayed. Exhibits last approximately 6 weeks. Visual artists working in any media, as well as those with collections of art or artifacts to display, are encouraged to apply.
Fill out our Exhibit Submission Form for consideration.