The Cupboard reaps benefit from gallery garden spot
Published 09.05.2023
Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor
Harvesting food from an art gallery? That’s exactly what is taking place on Pennsylvania College of Technology’s campus, thanks to a unique collaboration by The Gallery at Penn College and Dining Services.
"Community Hydroponic Garden" is one of the displays in the gallery’s current exhibition – “Food Justice: Growing a Healthier Community Through Art.” The working garden utilizes distilled water and ceramic containers to grow kale that can be harvested to share and enjoy.
The first batch of fresh kale from this artistic garden was cut recently and placed in The Cupboard, the college’s “food pantry” for students in need.
“After watching the kale in the 'Community Hydroponic Garden' grow for the past three weeks in the gallery, it was wonderful to see it harvested by Dining Services to be distributed in The Cupboard,” said Penny Griffin Lutz, gallery director. “The kale will continue to grow, with another harvest anticipated in a few weeks. This live work of art provides fresh food while prompting viewers to question where their food comes from. The installation also demonstrates how easy it can be to grow food year-round with basic materials.”
Lending their helping hands and expertise during the cutting were Jennifer N. Severson, head cook in the Bush Campus Center, and Autumn L. Hampton, dining services manager. Weeks before harvesting the kale, Severson and Hampton met artist Jeff Schmuki in the gallery to learn about the garden, its goals and cutting instructions.
“We had the opportunity to meet the artist right after the installation of 'Community Hydroponic Garden,'” Hampton explained. “The artist shared his story with us and now, after the first harvest, we get to continue his vision by providing the kale to students who visit The Cupboard. It is a great experience, being part of the entire process, start to finish.”
"Community Hydroponic Garden" is a work by Schmuki, of Georgia, and fellow artist Wendy DesChene, of Alabama. The artistic duo has two pieces in the “Food Justice” exhibition, a traveling show developed by Contemporary Craft, of Pittsburgh.
“Food Justice,” on display through Oct. 8 on the third floor of The Madigan Library, features 18 works by 15 contemporary craft artists exploring food insecurity issues and solutions. Gallery hours are: 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free and open to the public.
