Tapas Talks hosted its third and final event of the 2026 season, featuring acclaimed photographer Shelley Lipton in an engaging evening titled “From the Gridiron to the Garden: A Photographer’s Journey.”
Held at the Allegheny Country Club, the intimate gathering offered attendees an opportunity to go behind the lens as Lipton reflected on her prolific career — from the sidelines of professional sports to the serene solitude of her studio garden.
Lipton opened the presentation by detailing her approach to sports photography, emphasizing her desire to capture not just the high energy of the game, but the human emotion behind it. She discussed her methodology of anticipating plays, focusing on preparation and positioning herself to capture iconic moments. Throughout the evening, Lipton presented highlights from her portfolio, featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, professional tennis, golf, polo and soccer, as well as her coverage of the 2017 Quaker Valley WPIAL and PIAA state champion football team.
The presentation then shifted to Lipton’s move toward botanical fine art during the covid-19 pandemic. With access to sports venues restricted, she turned her focus to nature, cultivating a distinct “slow art” philosophy. Lipton grows many of her subjects from seed — establishing a personal, organic connection with each plant before photographing it in her studio. Her deliberate hands-on process brings out the extraordinary beauty and character of everyday botanicals, from dahlias to heirloom tomatoes and bell peppers.
Joining Lipton onstage were longtime Sewickley educators and community figures Jerry Veshio and Lynn Sopp, both of whom served Quaker Valley Schools for four decades. Sopp, a beloved art teacher, inspired generations of students to explore their creative potential. Veshio, a legendary coach, guided the 2017 Quaker Valley football team to its historic WPIAL and PIAA state championship titles.
“It was such a pleasure to share the evening with Shelley and learn more about her remarkable creative journey — from the sidelines of the Pittsburgh Steelers to the transformative art of botanical photography,” said Fran Merryman, founder and president of Tapas Talks. “We had fun with the program title, and Shelley truly brought it to life. We would like to thank everyone who attended and look forward to welcoming you back for our 2027 series.”