Hand-painted baseballs on display

George Sosnak, a baseball umpire and self-taught artist, produced the works.

By RENATTA SIGNORINI
TribLive

A new exhibit at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art focuses on the intricate artwork of a native Pittsburgher who used America’s pastime as his canvas.

Sixty hand-painted baseballs are on display at the Greensburg museum, honoring George Sosnak, a selftaught artist whose work turned an ordinary object into detailed scenes of the sport he loved.

“Visitors will be captivated by the intricate visual stories that Sosnak depicted on his baseballs, including ones paying tribute to Pirates legends Roberto Clemente and Bill Mazeroski,” said Silvia Filippini-Fantoni, the Richard M. Scaife Director/CEO of The Westmoreland.

Sosnak was a minor league baseball umpire and World War II veteran. He died in 1992.

Sosnak started the ornate designs in the 1950s, using India ink and a magnifying glass to capture the intricate details, statistics, team logos and player portraits on the baseballs. Museum officials said Sosnak finished the artwork on approximately 800 baseballs of the 3,000 he started over 40 years.

The exhibit includes several unfinished works. “Play Ball! The Art of George Sosnak” will be on display until April 4.