The Gallery at Penn College calls for artwork submissions

The Gallery at Penn College is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026, and to commemorate the significant milestone, a special exhibition will highlight the creativity and innovative spirit of the campus community.

“Made by Hand: An Exhibition of Tomorrow Makers,” will feature the talents of Penn College students, alumni, faculty, staff and retirees. Scheduled for Jan. 13-Feb. 26, 2026, the exhibit encourages emerging artists to display their work in a professional gallery setting.

“We’re kicking off 2026 with ‘Made by Hand,’ an exhibition that celebrates the creativity, skill and artistry of our college community,” said Penny G. Lutz, gallery director. “When I proposed this idea last year to various groups, the response was overwhelmingly positive.”

The gallery has hosted similar exhibitions in the past. In 2014, “100 Works! – The Centennial Exhibit” featured a “past, present, future” theme during the centennial celebration of the college. An employee exhibition was also held in 2009.

“Aside from our annual spring student shows in graphic design and architecture, the gallery typically features artists from outside the region, so this is a special opportunity to highlight our own community,” Lutz said. “The creative energy on our campus is thriving and not just in the classrooms, but also in collaborative spaces like the makerspace (the Dr. Welch Workshop: A Makerspace at Penn College) and beyond. We are excited to see a diverse range of submissions that reflect the innovation and imagination of the Penn College community.”

The “Made by Hand” theme reflects both the spirit of the exhibition and the mission of Penn College. Lutz said creatives are invited to submit any current work in all media, including, but not limited to, painting, drawing, sculpture, fiber, ceramics, photography, digital art, mixed media, wood, metal, crafts and installations.

Lutz expects a good turnout and selection of artwork. Current students, alumni, faculty, staff and retirees of Penn College or its predecessor institutions are invited to enter this non-juried exhibition. Artwork, which should be original work completed in the last three years – 2023, 2024, 2025 – will be accepted through Nov. 25.

For more information, including eligibility guidelines and an entry form, visit Made by Hand: An Exhibition of Tomorrow Makers.

The Gallery also will be hosting “100 Miles: The 2026 Regional Juried Exhibition,” which is open to all artists within a 100-mile radius of Penn College. Held every three years, the exhibition, which will be juried by artist ransome, aims to showcase the diversity and quality of regional art created by emerging, early career and established artists. The window for entries is Feb. 1-28, 2026, and the exhibition runs from June 7 through July 19, 2026. For more information, including eligibility guidelines and an entry form, visit 100 Miles: The 2026 Regional Juried Exhibition.

The Gallery at Penn College is open from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 4 p.m. Fridays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. It is closed on Mondays and Saturdays.

In addition to serving as an educational resource for Penn College students and a cultural asset to the college and community, The Gallery at Penn College is dedicated to promoting art appreciation through exhibitions of contemporary art.

For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, visit www.pct.edu , email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.