Joel Kranich: October 2024
Joel Kranich was born in Altoona, PA, but moved at age 10 to Johnstown, PA. While attending Westmont High School, he was fortunate enough to have art teachers that inspired him and encouraged him to pursue art and architecture. He earned a degree in Arts and Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Pennsylvania State University.
After graduation from the University of Pennsylvania, Joel worked in architectural firms in Los Angeles, CA for two years, and then moved to Philadelphia, PA. The following two years he worked for the Philadelphia affiliate of CBS, WCAU TV. His experience at WCAU in commercial television convinced him that he was best suited for educational television, then in its infancy.
He accepted a position to work for WQED in Pittsburgh. Prior to starting, Joel met an inspiring young Pittsburgh architect starting his own firm. Designing and building architecture was exciting to him. Joel was convinced that his true love, and future, was architecture, and was offered a job. He went back to the practice of architecture for the next 60 years.
Joel’s work is contemporary architectural design, but a great part of his work has been the rehabilitation of older structures to enhance their historical past and structure, and add new life of contemporary design and structure to enhance their revival. Joel lives in a garage (1900 era) that he rehabbed 62 years ago in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA.
His interest in painting, after a hiatus of many years, was inspired by the teaching of Lila Hirsch Brody at the Jewish Community Center of Pittsburgh.
Joel is a member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Society of Artists, and a member of the "Pittsburgh 10", a group of artists exhibiting works contemporary in character from abstract expressionism to realism.
My art is derived from an internal visualization, or a quick observation, of a form or color that captures my imagination that I want to capture on canvas. I first sketch a response to my initial encounter including the form, the color, and the size. It is usually a slow process for me, but will eventually reflect my innate feeling of structure, form, and color.
Current Exhibitions
Joel has two works featured in the AAP Online Store. Check out aapgh.org/store!
