A.H. Gorson: Analyzing Art and Primary Sources

This workshop invites teachers to explore how artist A.H. Gorson captured Pittsburgh's industrial landscape in the early 1900s. Gorson, a Lithuanian immigrant who arrived in 1902, painted the city's steel mills with an eye for light and beauty where others saw only industrial grit. During this hands-on session, educators will analyze Gorson's paintings alongside historical photographs, postcards, and other primary sources to understand how artists interpret and document history. You'll also receive a special guided tour of the "Painting the Steel City" exhibition and learn about resources from the History Center that you can bring back to your classroom. This workshop is designed for teachers and costs $15 with advance registration. Act 48 professional development credits are available for an additional $5 fee. It's a four-hour session that combines active learning with museum access, giving you concrete tools and materials to use with your students. Registration is required, and you can reach out to the History Center directly if you have questions about the program.