Arts smarts

But people will continue to raise their families here and pursue their careers; those other things eventually will be worked out. And while that struggle continues, all things are possible in the arts.

The recent Pittsburgh Opera production of "Billy Budd" was a transcendent moment on the local arts scene. Opera domo Mark Weinstein has been steadfastly shepherding the opera from its highly regarded regional status to the very doorstep of national standing. Truly, "Budd" was as good a production as can be enjoyed anywhere.

Harish Saluja -- painter, filmmaker and local resident -- recently completed the Second Annual Asian-American Film Festival in Pittsburgh. In just two years, the Silk Screen Festival has linked our city to hundreds of film artists and investors from around the world. Thanks to the tireless Saluja, we are now on the radar screen of international film entrepreneurs.

When Pittsburgh native Faith Dickinson returned home after a media career on the West Coast, she missed the collegiality of women in film that she enjoyed in Los Angeles. As a result, Dickinson started the Pittsburgh chapter of Women in Film and Media, a member of Women in Film and Television International; membership is growing.

The group is holding a competition for local nonprofits; the winner will receive a public service announcement written, produced and directed by local women film professionals. And throughout June, adult acting courses will be offered as part of their 2007 Star Maker Workshop. The dean of returned Pittsburgh artists is surely the peripatetic Carl Kurlander. Kurlander graduated from Shady Side Academy, wrote "St. Elmo's Fire," and wrote and produced numerous successful Hollywood shows. His creative life is a seamless line between his hometown of Pittsburgh and Los Angeles; he's back in the 'Burgh.

Kurlander co-founded The Steeltown Entertainment Project and is working on a feature documentary that links Pittsburgh with native 'Burghers on the West Coast who have made it big in entertainment. He's now a visiting writing professor at Pitt but he is a genuine Pittsburgh treasure; we need to keep him home.

Five years ago, glass artists Kathleen Mulcahy and Ron Desmett founded the Pittsburgh Glass Center in Friendship. Before steel, Pittsburgh was the world's glass capital. This wife and husband team decided to re-establish our status with art glass.

And look what has happened as a result. Artists from around the country have moved to Pittsburgh to be associated with the center. This week, Pittsburgh will host the Glass Art Society Conference, an international gathering.

So, it is time to raise a glass -- hopefully a glass that has been designed and produced at the Pittsburgh Glass Center -- in tribute to all the artists who are pointing the way to our future.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/mistick/s_510755.html

Joseph Sabino Mistick is a lawyer, law professor and political analyst. He lives in Squirrel Hill. E-mail him at: SabinoMistick@aol.com.