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Artist Spotlight GEORGE A. WEBB SR. Art-&-Facts
An Artist, Who is mostly referred to as “Coach”
Coach Webb, has been scholarship after graduating on the National Honor
mistaken for a Society at Westinghouse High School in 1963.
Physical Education George used his art skills to help him earn money to
teacher (Gym help pay for school. He became a staff member on
teacher), as oppose to the college newspaper. His artwork was featured
an art teacher. This in the newspapers throughout his college career. In
was mainly due the 1965, George was appointed in the Honorary
fact he was "Coach" Collegiate Journalism Fraternity. In addition, for
to students throughout two years (1965-1967), he was included in Who's
the school year and Who Among Students in American Universities and
remained around the Colleges. Furthermore, he received a "1st Prize in
gym area most of the Painting" Award while at Thiel.
time. He coached In 1967, George was hired by the Pittsburgh Public
football, basketball, and track most of his teaching Schools as an Art Teacher at Crescent Elementary
years. He, in fact, is still coaching track and School in Homewood. In 1969, he accepted a
football to this day out in Westmoreland County at position to teach 7-12 grade art at his Alma Mater,
Valley High School. The intent of this article is to George Westinghouse High. It was also that year
share some history of the artistic journey of our that he began his coaching career as an assistant
beloved "Coach". football coach for the famous "Westinghouse
George recalls being influenced by his older Bulldogs". At Westinghouse, he drew the
brother, Charles Webb, while he was only in the background for numerous plays and assemblies,
first grade. Charles was an outstanding artist. He drew the bulldog on the center of the field with
would watch him draw different things and like powder paint every homecoming, created the large
many younger brothers do when they emulate older bulldogs in the corners of the old boys gym,
siblings, he began to draw too. George remembers silkscreened/designed logo for boys and girls track
drawing many pictures in grade school. He uniforms one year, created many of the designs and
doodled often and created cartoon characters. By images on the prom glasses, and last is responsible
the 5th and 6th grade, he was asked by his teacher for the bulldog on the center of the new gym at
to illustrate all of the occupations that students Westinghouse!
would say that they wanted to be when they grew After everything else, outside of school, George
up. George was assigned the task of drawing them created many paintings, sketches, wood carvings,
on individual cards for each student. By 7th & 8th and more for a whole host of friends, family, and
grade (Junior High at Westinghouse); Art was community.
always one of his better subjects. During those
times, he drew pictures from comics, made muscle
men, and kept a sketchbook of his work. As a High
School student at Westinghouse, he entered several
contests. AAA had an annual Safety Belt Art
contest. He won first place two years in a row. As
a member of student council, George helped make
most of the poster work needed. He also took care
of any other art work needed in the school. Within
his senior year, he took care of all the needed
drawings for the senior yearbook.
George attended Thiel College on a football
