Two art faculty honored as Art of the State finalists

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.
Since The State Museum of Pennsylvania is closed due to the pandemic, a 360-degree online exhibit is available, permitting viewers to virtually “walk through” the 6,000-square-foot gallery to see works in the categories of painting, photography, craft, sculpture and work on paper.

The virtual tour, an exhibit catalog, photo gallery, artists’ statements and related information are available at the museum website.

Moyer’s wood engraving, “RTG 5,” measuring 5 inches by 7 inches, is included in the work on paper category. The engraving is part of a recently completed series of 10 engravings produced for a limited-edition artist’s fine press book that Moyer hopes to complete this fall. He says his engravings “are extremely labor-intensive, taking me about two and a half years to complete the 10 images.” This is Moyer’s eighth appearance in Art of the State.

Moyer received a Master of Fine Arts from Maryland Institute College of Art and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Delaware.

Stabley’s “Untitled,” measuring 16 inches by 16 inches by 2 inches, is included in the craft category.

The high-relief wall tile is slab-constructed, carved, textured and decorated with stains and glazes. Stabley’s work is gas-fired in a kiln to approximately 2,250 degrees Fahrenheit. The artist says he chose “‘Untitled’ as I like the viewer to figure out what is going on.” This is Stabley’s first time in the Art of the State exhibition.

Stabley earned Master of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees from the University of Nebraska and a Bachelor of Arts from Millersville University.

Art of the State has been hosted by The State Museum of Pennsylvania since 1968. The exhibition is presented in association with the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation, the nonprofit partner of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the state agency charged with collecting, preserving, researching and interpreting the treasures of Pennsylvania. The State Museum of Pennsylvania is one of 24 historic sites and museums administered by the commission as part of the Pennsylvania Trails of History.

To learn more about Penn College’s graphic design and art majors, call the School of Business, Arts & Sciences at 570-327-4521.

For more about the college, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free at 800-367-9222.