SRU artists to display works at Spinning Plate Gallery
The Spinning Plate Gallery in East Liberty will host a Slippery Rock University exclusive exhibition July 2-31.
June 14, 2016
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - With super chic galleries exhibiting works from a variety of genres and creating a buzz from one end of the city to the other, the Pittsburgh art community continues to thrive.
That buzz will soon be heard as far north as Slippery Rock University when more than two dozen art faculty, students and alumni take part in "Collective Independence," an SRU exclusive show July 2-31 at the Spinning Plate Gallery, 5720 Friendship Avenue, East Liberty. An artist's reception will happen from 6-8 p.m., July 9 at the gallery.
Spinning Plate Gallery is part of a three-story development in the 90-year-old Constantine Pontiac Building. While the gallery occupies the building's first floor, a former automobile showroom, the second floor features 37 loft apartments that are home to a variety of local artists.
Jon Shumway, SRU professor of art, said the exhibition would help raise awareness of the University's art program and contributions to the regional art scene.
SHUMWAY
"It is certainly important for all artists to exhibit their work; to be part of the broader cultural and societal dialogue," said Shumway. "We periodically like to show as a group and such an exhibition should prove to demonstrate - to the region and broader public - the extensive range, or depth and breadth of artistic experience and expression, in which SRU artists are engaged."
Tricia Bishop, an assistant professor of art, who is organizing the show, concurs. "This is a great opportunity to reach a larger audience at a major regional metropolitan location," she said. "We intend to showcase the diverse range of art genres and media SRU currently has to offer as well as the success of our alumni."
According to Bishop, each of the seven exhibiting faculty members selected two students from their art studios to participate in the exhibition. Works that will be on display include: sculptures, paintings, new media, fibers and ceramics.
In addition to Shumway and Bishop, other participating art faculty include: assistant professor Sean Macmillian; associate professors Heather Hertel, Katherine Mickle and Barbara Westman; and professors Tom Como and June Edwards.
"It is important for artists to exhibit their work as much as they can," Edwards said. "Exhibiting work in Pittsburgh galleries provides opportunities for faculty and students to be recognized by the community."
Joey Kennedy, a 2008 SRU graduate with a bachelor's degree in emerging technology and multimedia, has immersed himself in the Pittsburgh art scene, working as a professional wedding and tourism photographer.
"I'm thrilled to see the University reach out to the (Pittsburgh) art community in such a big way through this upcoming exhibition," he said.
Kennedy, who has displayed photographs in several galleries, said Pittsburgh has emerged as a hip place with its many galleries, organic restaurants, start-up technology companies and bicycle commuting options.
"Pittsburgh is a happening place and it's exciting to see SRU making inroads to share their works with a larger, metropolitan audience," Kennedy said. "There is such a vibrant art scene from Shadyside to Garfield and Downtown, it'll be neat to share what the University has to offer with such a diverse crowd."
MEDIA CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine | 724.738.4854 | gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu