Your contribution to Patterns of Meaning goes beyond traditional support. When you give, you also receive original artwork created by the artists who make this initiative possible. Each piece merges historic industrial artifacts with contemporary art and offers a tangible reminder of your commitment to education and the future of industry.
Meet The Artists
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Cory Bonnet
View WorkCory Bonnet is a Pittsburgh-based oil painter and preservationist who works with salvaged materials to capture the city’s beauty and history. Founder of Patterns of Meaning and Director of Pittsburgh Gateways Arts Corridor, he brings a commitment to sustainability and community to his art.
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A.J. Collins
View WorkAJ Collins creates ceramics for homes and interiors that balance artistry and function. From marbled vases and “landscape” vessels to precise mid-century bowls, each piece is handcrafted in his Pittsburgh studio and reflects a harmony of line, form, and function.
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Brian Engel
View WorkBrian Engel is a glass artist whose work is shaped by his roots in the rural Southwest, military service, and years as a wildland firefighter. For two decades he has used fire as his medium, managing nonprofit glass studios and creating large-scale lighting installations that showcase his creative vision.
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Nate Lucas
View WorkNate Lucas is a sculptural wood artist from Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, whose work is inspired by the natural patterns of Western Pennsylvania. Through innovative techniques, he creates chandeliers, tables, and collaborative installations for Patterns of Meaning, blending craftsmanship with artistic expression.
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Mia Tarducci
View WorkMia Tarducci is a Pittsburgh-based oil painter whose career has included annual solo shows, museum exhibitions, and recognition from jurors at MoMA, the Guggenheim, and the Carnegie Museum. Her work is held in collections worldwide and featured in leading art publications.
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Collaborative Work
View WorkThe Patterns artistic team creates collaborative pieces, using the industrial artifacts from the Collection not only as inspiration but as the very materials of their work. These joint projects blend diverse mediums and perspectives, transforming reclaimed substrates into art that reflects both shared heritage and collective creativity.
Why It Matters
Patterns of Meaning connects history, art, and industry to spark curiosity in K-12 students and the communities around them. With your support, we can bring our curriculum and exhibitions directly into classrooms, museums, and public spaces across the country.
Explore The Collection
Browse the Patterns of Meaning online gallery to see available pieces and find the work that resonates with your organization.