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Ten to watch OK, it’s true -- our track record doesn’t look great. Last year, we selected six people as potential fodder for the Top 50. Two actually made it this year (Linda Willumsen and Karla Boos). But this year’s up-and-comers have made promises we can’t resist, so we expect a number of them to advance if they make good on their plans: Seddon Bennington, 52 Director, Carnegie Science Center Claim to fame: Under Bennington, the science center is planning a major expansion in the areas of sports science and high technology. Also in the works is an amusement park with an educational twist. If that weren’t enough to lure out-of-towners (which is the point), three world-class architects are being considered for the work. One, Frank Gehry of Museo Guggenheim Bilbao fame, has said he’d like to do the project if the Carnegie wants him. Martin Bernstein, 50 President, Pittsburgh Musicians UnionClaim to fame: Bernstein, a cellist, beat folk singer Anne Feeney on a platform that played to orchestra musicians -- namely, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians. Though the PSO contract is set for a few years, the union under Bernstein faces upcoming challenges related to the size of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre orchestra and new agreements with Gargaro Productions and the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble. Lynne Conner, 40 Co-chairwoman, Greater Pittsburgh Arts AllianceClaim to fame: Conner is the main voice of small-budget arts groups on the alliance, while the other co-chairman, City Theater’s Marc Masterson, is the primary rep for the biggies. Together, they are leading the alliance as it creates a pro-arts ad campaign set to debut this summer. Conner is also a leader of Pittsburgh’s best-acronymed arts group, SMAAC -- the Small and Mid-sized Arts Advocacy Consortium. Lonnie Graham, 45 Curator, Three Rivers Arts Festival GalleryClaim to fame: Graham is the first curator of a new gallery designed to give the arts festival a year-round presence Downtown. A fine-arts photographer and instructor at Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Graham was director of photography at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild from 1990-1997. His installation work was included in the Carnegie Museum of Art’s "Pittsburgh Revealed" exhibition and in the 1993 and 1996 Three Rivers Arts Festivals. Recently, his community-based art projects have taken him as far afield as Africa and New Guinea. Madeleine Grynsztejn, 37 Curator, 1999 Carnegie InternationalClaim to fame: It’s International time, come Nov. 6. What treats has Grynsztejn, curator of contemporary art at the Carnegie, pulled from her worldwide sampling of art goodies? She hasn’t divulged much, but she’s dropped hints indicating the art will be approachable. That the International draws thousands of locals and out-of-towners should make her influence even greater. Ronald Allan-Lindblom, 45 Chairman, Point Park College Conservatory of Performing Arts Claim to fame: Soon after his arrival here last year, Lindblom announced a plan to inaugurate five master’s programs in theater and dance. He also re-christened the names of numerous Point Park artistic institutions, including the Pittsburgh Playhouse, of which he is artistic producing director. And he snagged Robert Miller, son of Arthur, as a distinguished guest artist for next year. Patricia Pugh Mitchell, 45 Executive director, Kuumba TrustClaim to fame: Mitchell’s group acts as an umbrella for a host of black arts organizations. More than 20 groups and individual artists now take advantage of the technical services it offers. As an overall advocate of black culture, Kuumba Trust also hosts Kwanzaa festivals. Mitchell is an adjunct instructor at Chatham College and, previously, was coordinator of the African-American program at the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Dan Pietragallo Jr., 47 Vice president, broadcast division, Docherty AgencyClaim to fame: An effective talent agent, Pietragallo already sends numerous local grads to successful gigs in Hollywood. He is now a force behind a planned movie on Bill Strickland of the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, for which he snagged Quincy Jones’ support. Pietragallo is also clearly committed to getting films made in Pittsburgh. We can’t wait to see ’em. Marc Taylor, 47 Artistic director, Dance AlloyClaim to fame: Taylor has brought a New York style and energy to the contemporary dance company, as well as outstanding New York choreographers. Under his leadership, Dance Alloy has toured more than most small arts groups. Taylor himself seems to have found his choreographic voice and next year is expected to show off more of his talent. Kathleen Zimbicki, 61 Owner, Studio Z GalleryClaim to fame: Not only is Zimbicki a frequent prize-winning watercolorist, she has long been a teacher and volunteer for arts organizations. She has also originated large group exhibitions on the South Side, where her gallery is located. But perhaps her greatest power is as an advocate of Pittsburgh artists.
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