


A space for inspiration and contemplation awaits students and employees at The Gallery at Penn College, located on the third floor of the Madigan Library.
A space for inspiration and contemplation awaits students and employees at The Gallery at Penn College, located on the third floor of the Madigan Library.
An area graphic designer’s 100-day dedication to a drawing and writing practice has culminated in an exhibit at The Gallery at Penn College. “Second Nature,” featuring works by Sarah Patterson, also offers inspiration on establishing a journaling routine.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Gallery at Penn College is temporarily closed to the general public; however, highlights from the exhibit can be viewed on the gallery’s website. The virtual display shares supplemental resources including journaling exercises and prompts. Penn College students will also be invited to consider a journaling practice during the exhibit’s run through April 9.
From the Fall 2020 Penn College Magazine: Members of the Penn College Family across the globe used their skills in a variety of ways to help others during the pandemic’s shelter-in-place orders, including graphic design alumna Eliza R. Whyman, ’17, who resides and works in England. See more about her timely brain teasers.
On a campus known for hands-on education, a unique hands-on art project has given students an outlet for creatively expressing their feelings about the COVID-19 pandemic.
About 80 students enrolled in Ceramics 1 classes at Pennsylvania College of Technology crafted clay masks for “Regarding the Mask …,” an exhibit of nearly 170 art pieces being displayed on a fence surrounding The Victorian House in the center of campus. The location of the artwork – wrapping around a home to evoke 2020’s housebound focus – is as symbolic as the pieces themselves.
Showcasing the creative endeavors of Pennsylvania artists, the 53rd annual Art of the State exhibition at The State Museum of Pennsylvania has selected works created by two Pennsylvania College of Technology art faculty members.
David M. Moyer, assistant professor of graphic design, and David A. Stabley, instructor of ceramics and wood sculpture, are among the finalists featured in the 2020 exhibit, running through Jan. 3. This year’s juried exhibition includes 108 works by 109 artists selected from 1,901 entries by 680 artists.
A unique exhibit has unfolded on the Penn College campus: About 80 students from a wide range of majors have crafted ceramic masks for “Regarding the Mask …,” a display surrounding The Victorian House in the center of campus. Ceramics 1 students taught by David A. and Deborah L. Stabley were offered the project as a mode of creative expression related to the face coverings being worn due to the global pandemic. “My idea stems from the physical masks we’re all wearing and our inability to communicate the way we used to,” David Stabley said. “We can’t see our mouths anymore, and it’s hard to show emotions. These emotions, thoughts and feelings could be expressed on the masks.” The fence surrounding The Victorian House was selected for the display as a nod to the homebound environment many have experienced this year. The Stableys anticipate the masks will be on view for one month and invite the campus community to take a stroll and enjoy the messages, including positive and humorous ones.
We know who the designers are! Penn College art faculty members dipped into their own pockets to pay for masks sporting the graphic design logo and handed them out to the more than 100 students enrolled in the major. Brian A. Flynn, assistant professor and department head of graphic design, thought of the idea earlier this summer and encouraged his colleagues to chip in. Abigail “Abby” C. Williams, a graphic design junior from Mechanicsburg, said, “I thought it was very nice of the faculty to give us masks that identified us as graphic designers, because when you wear a mask you can only see someone’s eyes and this helps us regain some of our identity as individuals, as well as a group.”
From creating “bubbles” to coping with empty stadiums, professional sports leagues have faced a gantlet of challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. A Pennsylvania College of Technology alumna has a clear “picture” of the predicament, thanks to her role with a team that has resumed its season.
And Jessica L. Tobias is still smiling.
The 2013 graduate is the creative manager and photographer for FC Dallas, one of 26 teams that comprise Major League Soccer. On Aug. 12, Dallas hosted the first match of the league’s regular-season revival, a 1-0 loss to Nashville SC at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The contest was the first for both teams since the league suspended operations on March 12 when all clubs had played just two games.
The creative buzz doesn’t stop on campus – even though this summer is much quieter than usual. On the west side of the Bush Campus Center, outside doors to the wood sculpture and ceramics labs, four Penn College art faculty have conjured up an inspiring way to meet – by carving wood sculptures. “Socially, this is good for us to get together for some creative brainstorming,” said Brian A. Flynn, assistant professor of graphic design. Joining Flynn in the wielding of chain saws and chisels are: David A. Stabley, instructor of ceramics and wood sculpture; Keith A. Vanderlin, assistant professor of graphic design; and Mark W. Wilson, instructor of graphic design. The foursome gather once a week for about five hours, working away on their cherry and chestnut sculptures, one reaching approximately 7 feet tall. The faculty plan to donate their finished pieces to the college. For Flynn, this summer’s wood carving endeavor brings back memories of his participation in the Estonia Wood Carving Symposium in 2007. “Getting together weekly brings to mind a quote from Thomas Merton: ‘Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.’ This sentiment seems appropriate for what this experience has meant to me,” Flynn said. “This has been a great escape and a wonderful creative outlet.”
Three golds and four silvers were won by Pennsylvania College of Technology graphic design students in the 2020 American Advertising Awards. One student also received a $1,000 scholarship.
The awards were presented by the Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Advertising Federation.
Six wood engravings created by David M. Moyer, assistant professor of graphic design at Pennsylvania College of Technology, captured the first place prize in an exhibition at the Vilnius Graphic Art Center in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The exhibition, the 10th International Triennial of Small Graphic Forms Vilnius 2020, was on display March 10 through April 4.
A half-hour Zoom conversation among three Pennsylvania College of Technology graphic design majors, moderated by instructor Nicholas L. Stephenson, provides potential students and their families with valuable insight on the collaborative and rigorous four-year program. Join Ali D. Petrizzi, of Langhorne; Joey M. Morrin, of Morrisville; and Hailee B. Mercy, of Felton, as they discuss their decision to attend Penn College, their classes and projects, their adaptation to online-only learning, what they like best about their chosen career field, and much more.
Students from Ceramics and Sculpture courses completed their semester at Penn College, remotely, with masks and robots.
David A. Stabley’s Ceramics ll and Sculpture students built robots with found objects and junk items from around their homes; his Ceramics l students turned natural materials into masks; and Deborah L. Stabley’s Ceramics l students made masks from found household items. “Since actual clay and wood sculpture work ended at Spring Break, we felt our students needed to get involved in a hands-on project, realizing supplies would be limited or non-existent,” the Stableys said. “The outcomes were amazingly creative and resourceful.”
Photos provided
Pennsylvania College of Technology alumni are using their skills in a variety of ways to help others during the global pandemic, including a graphic design alumna living and working in England.
Eliza R. Whyman, ’17, a designer at MediaCom in Manchester, designed and illustrated six visually appealing and puzzling brain teasers for Brits to enjoy during shelter-in-place orders.
In keeping with other creative adjustments being made during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania College of Technology’s annual graphic design student exhibit has moved online for the first time in its 12-year history.
Graphic Design 2020 showcases the portfolio work of 17 seniors: Charles A. Blake, West Chester; Andrew Caccese, Reading; Seifeldien A. Elerman, Dover; Adam Foelker, Myerstown; Kennedy L. Englert, Williamsport; Zoey J. Graybill, McAlisterville; Gavin E. Hain, Myerstown; Emily N. Latshaw, Danville; Meredith A. Long, Trevorton; Anthony M. Niemeyer, Red Lion; Ali D. Petrizzi, Langhorne; Madison P. Shrout, Petersburg; Justine A. Stage, Montoursville; Jessica L. Stanford, Marion Center; Hunter L. Tompkins, Richfield; Shaina T. Vanderveer, Monroeton; and David A. Walker Jr., Waynesboro.