Alumni Artistry: The Aesthetic Legacy of IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) includes Bob Olszewski

   History: Bob graduated from IUP in 1968 with a Bachelor's degree to teach art.  Twenty-five years later In 1993, Bob was awarded by the University the "Distinguished Alumni Award" which at the time had only been awarded to approximately 85 Alumni out of approximately 80,000 that had graduated.  Soon after receiving the award, Bob was commissioned by IUP to create a work of art that would celebrate IUP's 125th Anniversary.  After living on campus for four years, Bob chose as a symbol of IUP the Oak Grove trees complete with squirrels. Located in the heart of IUP’s campus, the Oak Grove is loved by all Alumni. Historically, the IUP "Oak Grove" box (shown) became the first of a line of Disney and Fairy Tale themed "Heirloom Boxes" which were distributed by Enesco LLC to gift shops around the country and also sold at the Disney Theme Parks.  

  To commemorate this year’s 150th Anniversary of IUP, the University's Museum is celebrating many artists who at one point also called the Western Pennsylvania University located in Indiana, PA, home.  The art show is a juried exhibit from 25 Jan to 7 Mar 2025 at IUP's Museum featuring the artistic talents of IUP Alumni from across the nation.  As part of the exhibit, Bob submitted one of his Gallery of Light pieces titled:  "Cinderella's Romantic Night" shown here.  Bob created this piece for DIsney in 2023 to celebrate Disney World's 50th Anniversary.  The piece which initially sold for $99.00 that year is out of production.    

Cinderella's "Magic by Moonlight" - A New Gallery of Light

   Featured here is a rough mock-up of the piece that Bob previewed at the D23 convention in Anaheim last August.  Bob was asked by Disney if he could make this new Gallery of Light closer to a picture frame size of 5" x 7".  In response, Bob jumped at the chance as it allowed him more room to tell a larger story and as a result the new piece “Magic by Moonlight” shown here.