Denim Artist Honors Working-Class Perseverance in Material World
Published 09.10.2014
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The Gallery at Penn College
!["Totemic Figures" beckons further investigation of "Those of Us Still Living," on exhibit through Oct. 1.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2014/09/IMG_5778-150x150.jpg)
![One of James Arendt's daughters is depicted in a piece titled "Harper (Firecracker)." Penny Griffin Lutz, gallery manager, embroidered the artworks' titles on denim as an ingenious alternative to the gallery's standard printed labels.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2014/09/IMG_5912-150x150.jpg)
![The artist motions during a gallery talk that ranged from his personal life and inspirations to his concerns over unemployment and the importance of meaningful work …](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2014/09/IMG_5864-150x150.jpg)
![… and discusses the "toughness" that he wanted to sew into "Meghann" – via rivets – to honor a niece. He explained that he works with denim because it is "the working-class fabric."](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2014/09/IMG_5861-150x150.jpg)
![A crowd of about 150 patrons visits the Gallery at Penn College for the exhibit's opening.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2014/09/IMG_5832-150x150.jpg)
Photos by Dalaney T. Vartenisian, student photographer