Gallery

National Endowment for the Arts grant awarded to gallery

A National Endowment for the Arts grant of $15,000 will support “Material Matters,” a series of exhibitions, artist residencies and workshops focusing on materials from Pennsylvania’s history. The series is developed and presented by The Gallery at Penn College.

“We are so fortunate to have the support of the NEA to develop this exciting program,” said Penny Griffin Lutz, gallery director. “The funding will provide three short-term artist residencies over two years, and will enable us to provide art outreach to both the campus and the community.”

The Material Matters series may feature steel, wood, paper or fiber, or current and future materials such as plastics, glass or electronics. The solo exhibitions, focusing on emerging and mid-career visual artists, will be accompanied by public programming, including free workshops.

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Photos document artist’s travels along infinitely open road

The gallery’s glass doors open wide for exploration of “Graffiti Scapes.”

Hower offers insights into his process, including capturing multiple frames for stitching, a homemade panoramic camera tripod (crafted with the assistance of his woodworking father) and high-dynamic-range imaging.

Guests investigate the graffiti-covered landscapes.

The audience listens to the artist describe his ode to “Concrete City,” a now-abandoned housing site constructed in 1911 for anthracite coal workers near Nanticoke.

Photographs printed on bricks are part of Hower’s “Concrete City” installation.

A Harrisburg area photographer who was inspired to apply for a solo exhibit at The Gallery at Penn College after winning the President’s Award at last year’s Regional Juried Exhibition shared his techniques and inspirations with a large audience gathered Thursday night for the reception honoring “Graffiti Scapes.” On display through Oct. 6, the exhibition showcases Michael Hower’s digital photography of 13 abandoned sites in three states. Initially inspired to pursue the craft seven years ago by a toddler son and a rural sign denoting “Distillery Road,” the self-taught photographer described his curiosity-infused journey of endless discovery as he explores deserted historical structures and nature’s attempts to reclaim man-made landscapes. The Gallery at Penn College is open 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. The gallery, on the third floor of Madigan Library, is closed Mondays and Saturdays; however, special visitation hours will be offered 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, during Penn College’s Homecoming and Parent & Family Weekend (Oct. 4-6).

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‘Graffiti Scapes’ photography exhibit at Penn College gallery

Graffiti Scapes,” Michael Hower’s exhibit of digital photographs focusing on ghost towns of the Mid-Atlantic – including "Biscuits" – is on display in The Gallery at Penn College through Oct. 6.

A fascination with abandoned buildings and landscapes inspired Enola resident Michael Hower to begin working in digital photography seven years ago. His current body of work, “Graffiti Scapes,” focusing on ghost towns of the Mid-Atlantic, is on display at The Gallery at Penn College now through Oct. 6.

A reception is set for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, featuring a gallery talk at 5:30 p.m. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.

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Wide range of artistic adventures in gallery’s 2019-20 season

Graffiti photography, industrial sculpture, multimedia folklore and vintage comics are among the engaging lineup of artistic adventures offered by The Gallery at Penn College’s 2019-20 season. The gallery’s 14th season will also shine the spotlight on fiber artists, as well as on graduating seniors in Pennsylvania College of Technology’s graphic design and architecture and sustainable design majors.

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Coming to First Friday: The Hundred Dresses pop-up exhibit!

Hundred Dresses exhibit to make pop-up appearance for Kids' First Friday. — Hundred Dresses exhibit to make pop-up appearance for Kids’ First Friday.

The Hundred Dresses Project will be on display in the Community Arts Center lobby from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2. This special Kids’ First Friday pop-up exhibit will feature a sampling of dress prints created by area schoolchildren for the show, which ran June 4 to July 23 in The Gallery at Penn College. The exhibit is based on Eleanor Estes’ classic children’s book “The Hundred Dresses,” which centers on an immigrant schoolgirl who is teased by classmates for her accent, name, clothes and family’s poverty. The story explores themes of acceptance, inclusion, art, empathy and courage. Inspired by the book, project creator and artist Crystal Cawley invited 200 artists to read the book and embellish a 14-inch-by-11-inch letterpress dress print that she had created and shared. With a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the gallery invited third, fourth and fifth grade students from Lycoming County’s eight school districts to create works of art to add to the exhibit. Art educators from six of those school districts accepted the invitation and received a copy of the book, markers and a dress print for each participating student.

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‘Bear’-ing witness to art’s allure

Children "ooh" and "aah" upon entry to the gallery, immediately awed by the array of things to see. — Children “ooh” and “aah” upon entry to the gallery, immediately awed by the array of things to see.

Gleefully discovering the book behind it all

An early exposure to art, whether enjoyed in solitude ... — An early exposure to art, whether enjoyed in solitude …

... or shared with friends. — … or shared with friends.

With a crowned "birthday boy" lounging in a place of honor, Simcox reads "The Hundred Dresses." — With a crowned “birthday boy” lounging in a place of honor, Simcox reads “The Hundred Dresses.”

A sleuth of Bears, 3- and 4-year-olds from the Dunham Children’s Learning Center, visited The Gallery at Penn College on Wednesday. Accompanied by Neva E. Simcox, group leader, and Marisa J. Dunn, assistant group leader (and 2017 early childhood education graduate, pursuing an applied management degree), the youngsters excitedly experienced The Hundred Dresses Project. Inspired by the classic children’s book by Eleanor Estes, the exhibit features over 150 dress prints created by professional artists and more than 1,000 prints from classes in a half-dozen Lycoming County school districts. The exhibit can be viewed through July 23 during the gallery’s summer hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays.

Gallery General Information

Presidential birthday fashionably fills nonprofit’s closet

President Davie Jane Gilmour sits in The Gallery at Penn College, surrounded by donated dresses bound for Wise Options.

In celebration of President Davie Jane Gilmour’s 65th birthday this month, more than 70 children’s dresses are being donated to Wise Options, an advocacy organization of the YWCA Northcentral PA.

The dresses highlighted a small birthday gathering in The Gallery at Penn College where the “The Hundred Dresses Project” is on exhibit through July 23. Invitations to family and close friends of the Pennsylvania College of Technology president included a copy of Eleanor Estes’ classic children’s book “The Hundred Dresses,” which inspired the current exhibition. In lieu of a gift, guests were invited to donate a child’s dress, with many bringing multiple pieces. The party also featured a dress-shaped cake.

Events Gallery

‘Hundred Dresses Project’ grows tenfold through community engagement

A young visitor enjoys an “interactive dress” on which felt shapes can be added to create a design; some of the shapes offer positive words: honesty, respect, kindness, empathy and patience.

“The Hundred Dresses Project” has expanded to more than 1,000 dresses in The Gallery at Penn College, where a reception was held Thursday evening to honor the artistry, empathy and outreach stirred by the engaging endeavor. On display through July 23, the exhibit features more than 150 dress prints created by professional artists and over 1,000 dress prints made by youngsters in six area school districts. The outreach to area schools was initiated by Penny Griffin Lutz, gallery director, and supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. The creator of “The Hundred Dresses Project” – artist Crystal Cawley – traveled from Maine to offer a gallery talk at the reception and facilitate a Friday workshop on paper and fiber art. An educator at Maine College of Art, she described the inspiration and origins behind the project and discussed the importance of creating art to “cope with hardship,” as the young heroine did in the classic children’s book, “The Hundred Dresses,” and the ability of art to create kindness and community. Outreach efforts will continue with performances of “The Hundred Dresses” by Studio 570 in the gallery on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, June 13-30. “The Hundred Dresses” exhibit can be viewed during the gallery’s summer hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. (The gallery is closed Saturdays and Mondays, and will be closed July 3-7.)

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‘Hundred Dresses Project’ features layers of art outreach

The Gallery at Penn College will host “The Hundred Dresses Project: We Are All in This Together” from June 4 through July 23. In addition to more than 150 dress prints created by professional artists, the exhibit will feature those made by third, fourth and fifth grade students from six Lycoming County school districts.

With extra layers of art outreach, The Gallery at Penn College is hosting a unique exhibit titled “The Hundred Dresses Project: We Are All in This Together,” set for June 4 through July 23.

A Meet the Artist Reception will be held Thursday, June 6, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. with a gallery talk at 5:30 p.m. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. The gallery is located on the third floor of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Madigan Library.

In addition to more than 150 dress prints created by professional artists, the exhibit will feature dress prints made by third, fourth and fifth grade students from six Lycoming County school districts: East Lycoming, Jersey Shore Area, Montgomery Area, Muncy, South Williamsport Area and Williamsport Area.

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Seniors build up hopes of ‘sustainable’ custom

Everett B. Appleby, the student who spearheaded the inaugural exhibition, stands ready with a virtual reality headset so guests can step inside his design environment. Appleby hails from Wilkes-Barre, but is headed to Seattle to work for the Hyatt hotel chain.

Elliot R. Brau, of Coatesville, stands with his impressive project model and its surrounding accessories in the base model near the title wall.

Naim N. Jabbour, assistant dean of construction and design technologies, delivers a short gallery talk that’s long on praise for his students.

Students’ portfolios are offered for exploration on two curved tables along a gallery wall.

Jabbour takes a photo for Cayla L. Erisman (center), of Johnstown, and friends. Erisman earned her associate degree in architectural technology in 2018, is graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration, and is headed to Penn State to pursue a master’s of architecture.

An institutional emphasis on green building was channeled by architectural majors into Penn College’s first gallery exhibit of students’ sustainable designs, which officially opened with a reception Thursday afternoon. “Sustainable Design 2019,” showcased on the third floor of Madigan Library, challenged students to design and develop a substantial project in an urban setting. Eighteen seniors in the college’s building science and sustainable design programs rose to the task, drawing upon four years of immersive education to present capstones that skillfully encompass their processes, renderings and 3D models. The show, which runs through May 23, follows summer hours in The Gallery at Penn College: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays; and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. (The gallery is closed Saturdays and Mondays.)

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Inaugural exhibit showcases students’ sustainable design work

An inaugural exhibition displaying the architectural design work of 18 seniors in the building science and sustainable design majors at Pennsylvania College of Technology will open soon in The Gallery at Penn College.

A public reception for “Sustainable Design 2019” will be held Thursday, May 16, from 3:30 to 6 p.m., with a gallery talk at 4:30 p.m. The design work will be on display May 16-23 in the gallery on the third floor of the Madigan Library.

Art and Graphic Design Gallery Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications Students

Public reception broadens audience for students’ design work

The 11 soon-to-graduate graphic design majors share the spotlight with their exemplary artwork.

Each of Erin N. Shaffer's chocolate-bar labels evokes the skyline of its respective U.S. city. — Each of Erin N. Shaffer’s chocolate-bar labels evokes the skyline of its respective U.S. city.

Luke A. Bierly talks about his work with a gallery patron.

One wall of the exhibit features design work (from left) by Nina L. Walk, Jared D. Kosko, Daniel Mendoza, Sydney O. Powell and Emily R. Kahler.

Gallery attendees mingle amid the student projects ... near a wall design adapted from Kahler's event poster. — Gallery attendees mingle amid the student projects … near a wall design adapted from Kahler’s event poster.

The Gallery at Penn College recently hosted an opening reception for graphic design seniors involved in a parting exhibit of their outstanding work. The annual exhibition showcases the best examples of design and illustration by students in their final semester, providing them an opportunity to present their marketing, branding, advertising and design artwork to industry professionals and the public. Only a few more days to catch “Graphic Design: 2019!”
Photos by Rachel A. Eirmann, student photographer

Faculty & Staff Gallery Students

Heed that clock on the wall … and other fleeting student creations

A working clock complete with a pendulum tracks time on a wall. The creation is by Lauren S. Herr, a construction management major from Lititz.

Skilled creations from wooded masks to ceramic “food” on plates

A carved “green man” by Sydney O. Powell, of Linden, graphic design

A corner of the gallery lobby beckons art explorers.

A ceramic “dessert” was created by Amber Kreitzer, an applied management student from Port Trevorton. Kreitzer earned an associate degree in baking and pastry arts in 2018.

Oh, the creative spirit of the Penn College student! Artwork crafted by students in Wood Sculpture and Ceramics II and III classes decorate the lobby of The Gallery at Penn College. Instructor David A. Stabley says the masks “are all handcarved out of pine wood, and we start by taking some inspiration from African masks.” Catch the short show while you can! Stabley says his students will pick up their creations on Monday, May 6 – the first day of finals.

Art and Graphic Design Gallery Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications Students

Seniors exhibit work in ‘Graphic Design: 2019’

Eleven graphic design seniors at Pennsylvania College of Technology will exhibit their work as part of “Graphic Design: 2019,” the annual student portfolio exhibition in The Gallery at Penn College.

A public reception for the exhibit’s opening will be held Friday, May 3, from 4 to 6 p.m., with a gallery talk at 4:30 p.m. The design work will be on display April 30 through May 10.

Gallery General Information

Arts grant supports educational outreach through college gallery

Among the more than 1,300 student artworks that will be displayed in The Gallery at Penn College as part of “The Hundred Dresses Project” are these examples from students in Jersey Shore Area School District elementary schools.

Pennsylvania College of Technology has received a $1,587 grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. The funds are supporting programming and educational outreach efforts in conjunction with the exhibit “The Hundred Dresses Project: We Are All in This Together,” slated for this summer at The Gallery at Penn College.

The gallery invited third, fourth and fifth grade students from Lycoming County’s eight school districts to create works of art to add to the exhibit, scheduled for June 4 through July 23. Art educators from six of the school districts accepted the invitation to participate and received a copy of the book, markers and dress prints for each participating student.

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