Penn College gallery shines spotlight on regional artists

“100 Miles: The 2023 Regional Juried Exhibition” opens Thursday, June 1, at The Gallery at Penn College, showcasing artwork by 101 artists living within 100 miles of the Pennsylvania College of Technology campus. A reception celebrating the creative display of artistic talent is set for 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 4, with awards at 3. The exhibition is presented through July 20.

“There was a wide variety of work submitted and many mediums explored, and a lot of thought and skill has gone into creating these artworks,” juror Elizabeth Gourlay said. “This show has great diversity and offers a wide variety of materials and thematic interests that I believe are important reflections and assessments of our current culture.”

Artists featured in the exhibition are: Anne Alexander, Nelson; Meredith Eachus Armstrong, Danville; Ana Arnabar, Danville; Gerald Bailey, Troy; Ko Balogun, State College; Ron Beach, Montoursville; David W. Becker, Cogan Station; John C. Bierley, Pennsdale; Kendra Billman, South Williamsport; Stacie E. Bird, State College; Steve Bower, South Williamsport; Gail Bower-Geist, Lancaster; Steve Brady, Trout Run; Jason Bronner, Lewisburg; Alexis Burrell, Danville; Patricia L. Caulfield, York; Anissa Cavazos, Lewisburg; Carol Ann Simon Cillo, Williamsport; Kenneth P. Cobb, Mansfield; Chet Davis, Paxinos; Beth DeJesus England, Montgomery; Brock Dent, Danville; Jean Downing, Bloomsburg; Brian Druckenmiller, Trout Run; Amy L. Edwards, Lancaster; Susan Ball Faeder, Lewisburg; Kevin Fahey, Barton, New York; Andrea Finch, Chambersburg; Deborah L. Fleck-Stabley, Muncy; Chuck Fong, State College; Cathy M. Frey, Williamsport; Dorothy Gerring, Williamsport; Robert Gorby, Lewisburg; TS Grieco, Lock Haven; Shatana M. Griffin, Lock Haven; Brianna M. Groff, Wyomissing; Elody Gyekis, Spring Mills; Ray Heffner, Lock Haven; Oren B. Helbok, Bloomsburg; Tara Shoemaker Holdren, Millville; Michael Hower, Enola; Vince M. Hron, Winfield; Philip Huber, Lock Haven; Kara A. Hurne, Williamsport; Sue Jenkins, Scranton; Robert Sparrow Jones, State College; Ric Jones, Watsontown; Richard Karp, Williamsport; Lynne Kibbe, Trout Run; and Glen Klein, Danville.

Carlyn M. Krall, Schaefferstown; Dave Kube, Lancaster; Ron Lambert, Bloomsburg; Vanessa R. Lechler, Montoursville; Alexis Magera, Pine City, N.Y.; Mark Mahosky, Mifflinburg; Gerry Mann, Laporte; Chris Mathias, Mount Carmel; Bob McCormick, Ashland; Becky McDonah, Millersville; John M. McKaig, Williamsport; Christine Medley, Clarks Summit; Mark D. Messenger, Centre Hall; Debra J. Moffitt, Williamsport; Valerie Moyer, Beaver Springs; Hali D. Newman, Dewart; Susan Nicholas Gephart, Bellefonte; Elise Nicol, Lewisburg; Judy O’Dell, Laporte; Debra Lee Osborne, Harrisburg; Sarah Patterson, Oval; Leah Bedrosian Peterson, Williamsport; Tom Powell, Coudersport; Trinka Ravaioli, Clarks Summit; Vicky L. Renn, Sunbury; Rosalyn Richards, Lewisburg; Eileen H. Rivoir, State College; Tristan F. Romero, Williamsport; Nancy Rosario, Elkland; Kari Roslund, Newton Hamilton; Roy Simonne, Lewisburg; Gabrielle Rudig, Lancaster; James Schweitzer, West Hazleton; Tom Seay, Lewisburg; Holly Patton Skull, Williamsport; Brandon L. Snyder, Turbotville; Dave Stabley, Muncy; C. Starr, Williamsport; Melissa Tarhovicky, Harrisburg; Jackie Thomas, Williamsport; Michelle Thomas, Tunkhannock; Howard Tran, Williamsport; Deena Ultman, State College; Sharon Wall, Altoona; Bruce Wallace, Lock Haven; Gordon R. Wenzel, Lewisburg; Anita Williams, Dover; Jessica L. Williams, Williamsport; Mark Wilson, Hughesville; Denis A. Yanashot, Scranton; and Joanna Knox Yoder, Williamsport.

Of the 505 individual works of art submitted in the “100 Miles” call for entries, 108 works by the 101 artists were selected by the juror.

“The enormous volume of submissions made it challenging to narrow this down to a workable exhibition,” Gourlay said. “I chose pieces that spoke to me, work that I thought had an impact. As I reflected on what was submitted, I tried to be as inclusive as possible to show the broad range of media, from sculpture and painting, to drawing, graphic design, photography, mixed media and textiles, and to capture some of the wide range of voices coming forward from regional Pennsylvania.”

Gourlay teaches applied color in continuing education at The Rhode Island School of Design.
Her work is shown nationally and internationally and has been written about in numerous arts publications. She is the recipient of numerous residencies, fellowships, grants and awards. Gourlay received a Master of Fine Arts in painting from Yale School of Art, Yale University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland.

The “100 Miles” exhibition will award $750 for first place; $500, second place; $250, third place; and $200, honorable mention.

“Making an art object requires thought and creativity, in addition to time, patience and inspiration drawn from our everyday lives,” Gourlay stated. “It also requires the courage to get the work out there in front of an audience, with the hope that it will resonate.”

She added, “I feel fortunate to have had a fascinating look at art and artists working today in Pennsylvania.”

A committed and vibrant partner in the local arts community, The Gallery at Penn College’s first regional juried exhibition was held in 2018.

The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.

Located on the third floor of The Madigan Library, the gallery is in its 17th season. Summer hours are: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. The gallery is closed Fridays and Saturdays and will be closed July 2-5.

Serving as a cultural asset to the college and local communities, The Gallery at Penn College provides the opportunity for the appreciation and exploration of contemporary art and encourages critical thinking and meaningful experiences.  

For more information, email the gallery or call 570-320-2445.

For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education and a special mission affiliate of Penn State, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.

Alumni
Ten of the selected artists are alumni of Penn College or its predecessor institution Williamsport Area Community College. Five graduated in graphic design: Burrell, ’23; Patterson, ’99; Schweitzer, ’01; Snyder, ’12; and Wilson, ’12. Alexander is an ’04 and ’03 welding alumna. Karp graduated in ’82 in computer information systems. Tarhovicky earned a building science & sustainable design degree in ’20. Beach and Jessica Williams also attended the college.

Faculty/Staff
Six of the featured artists are also Penn College employees or retirees: Gerring, associate professor, architecture; Patterson, graphic designer/project coordinator; Wilson, graphic design instructor; and Yoder, photography instructor. The Stableys are retired art faculty.