Left: Veiled Muse by Patricia Maloney
Right: In The Presence of Emptiness by William (Bill) Karaffa
The human body is not a still object; it is a living canvas, full of nuance, strength, and story. As Pittsburgh’s only annual figurative arts exhibition, The Living Canvas is committed to exploring and expressing the human experience through high-caliber fine art.
Founded and executive produced by Mia St. Clair, the exhibition spotlighting the emotion and beauty found in figurative art continues to grow as a vital cultural tradition. In a world where bodies are often judged or objectified, the act of drawing from life remains quietly radical—asserting that every mark on paper honors the presence and humanity of the subject.
What began as a localized effort has matured into a prestigious, premier showcase celebrating fine art across our region. Each year, local artists submit up to three figurative artworks to be juried in person by a guest juror, ensuring that the exhibition maintains an uncompromising standard of quality and vision.
Our latest exhibition marked our most successful and dynamic show to date, demonstrating the remarkable growth of our artistic community across multiple events:
43 Artist Applications Received
93+ Figurative Artworks Submitted
63 Works Selected by the Juror for Exhibition
180+ Gallery Visitors Welcomed
Multiple Interactive Events, Receptions & Life Drawing Sessions Hosted
Napoli Sailor by Svetlana Trofimova