Then there was the time Andy Warhol caused a scandal of sorts.

Philip Pearlstein, one of the most renowned artists to emerge from Pittsburgh in the past century, told the story about his former roommate Friday evening at the opening of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh 100th Annual Exhibition. Warhol titled his cartoon drawing "God Gave Me My Face, But I Can Pick My Own Nose," a fact he gleefully illustrated with his self-portrait.

In a century of exhibitions that have always represented many of the best artists in the region, such stories are rampant. Not all went on to achieve Warhol or Pearlstein's level of recognition, but it is certain that both the artists and the community were greatly enriched by the chance to show and see their work.

More than 1,500 turned out for the opening, with an early crowd on hand for the VIP reception and awards presentation. AAP president Kathleen Zimbicki welcomed the crowd, thanked CMA director Lynn Zelevansky and introduced Donald Miller, retired Post-Gazette art critic who served as a juror with Al Miner, artist and curatorial assistant at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington. Mr. Pearlstein, a one-time member of AAP, was special guest with his wife, Dorothy. He presented the Philip Pearlstein Centennial Award to Judith Ruszkowski. Keturah Wasler received the Leon Arkus Memorial Award, glass artist Kathleen Mulcahy the Westmoreland Award, and photographer Bill Wade the Aaronel deRoy Gruber Award. The evening was chaired by Susan Sparks, David Watts and Melissa Vertosick.

In the crowd were Pittsburgh Cultural Trust president and emcee Kevin McMahon, Charlie Humphrey of Pittsburgh Filmmakers and Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, VisitPittsburgh's Tinsy Lipchak, CMA's Dan Byers, Thad Mosley, Jane Arkus, Fabrizio Gerbino, Bob and Diana Bowden, Irv and Aaronel deRoy Gruber, Karen Kaighin and Barry Shields, Graham Shearing, Kitty Hillman, Bill Lafe, Joy Borelli Edwards, Laura Horner, Jane Haskell, Lila Hirsch Brody, Bob Wholey and sister Lois Wholey, Tina Williams Brewer, Elvira Peake, Councilmen Doug Shields and Bill Peduto and Steve Mendelson, who will showcase award winners Mulcahy and Wade in exhibitions at his gallery next year, as will Ellen Chisdes Neuberg for Lori Hornell, Ben Matthews and John Mayer.

Mackenzie Carpenter's video program, "Omnivore," is available exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.