Penn College News

Exhibition Follows Wright-Designed Home From Imagination to Reality

Friday, January 17, 2014

A creative collaboration between an Indiana family and a world-renowned architect, perhaps as unprecedented as it was unlikely, is beautifully reflected in the latest exhibition in The Gallery at Penn College. “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Samara: A Mid-Century Dream Home" – an auspicious start to Pennsylvania College of Technology's yearlong centennial celebration – will run through March 29. A well-attended reception, including a gallery talk by architectural historian Jack Quinan (who delivered a public lecture on campus earlier in the day) was held Thursday evening on the third floor of the college's Madigan Library.


– Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor; and Marc T. Kaylor, student photographer




 Campus and community mix in the ACC audience.

Campus and community mix in the ACC audience.

Faculty and students from the School of Construction & Design Technologies have a front-row seat in the ACC.

Faculty and students from the School of Construction & Design Technologies have a front-row seat in the ACC.

Architectural historian Jack Quinan addresses an afternoon crowd in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium.

Architectural historian Jack Quinan addresses an afternoon crowd in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium.

Quinan gestures toward the screen during his amply illustrated ACC lecture.

Quinan gestures toward the screen during his amply illustrated ACC lecture.

The speaker discusses Wright's Fallingwater, a national historic landmark in southwestern Pennsylvania.

The speaker discusses Wright's Fallingwater, a national historic landmark in southwestern Pennsylvania.

A student walks past a sign promoting Thursday's lecture and the gallery exhibit.

A student walks past a sign promoting Thursday's lecture and the gallery exhibit.

The multimedia exhibition also offers an opportunity for visitors to watch videos about Frank Lloyd Wright.

The multimedia exhibition also offers an opportunity for visitors to watch videos about Frank Lloyd Wright.

A guest is framed by a display panel.

A guest is framed by a display panel.

Colorful vertical walls stunningly accent the exhibition.

Colorful vertical walls stunningly accent the exhibition.

An homage to nature: Visitors can lift the faux maple seed and watch it spin to the

An homage to nature: Visitors can lift the faux maple seed and watch it spin to the "ground."

Personal details offering a glimpse into the Christian family's life inside Samara include a family photo album …

Personal details offering a glimpse into the Christian family's life inside Samara include a family photo album …

Vintage tableware is among the details tucked along the exhibit's pathways.

Vintage tableware is among the details tucked along the exhibit's pathways.

Fabric samples and drafting tables fill The Gallery at Penn College.

Fabric samples and drafting tables fill The Gallery at Penn College.

Fabric swatches, artwork in and of themselves

Fabric swatches, artwork in and of themselves

A beautiful exterior photograph of Samara is displayed on a gallery wall.

A beautiful exterior photograph of Samara is displayed on a gallery wall.

Afforded a rare opportunity, gallery patrons enter the eye-opening world of Samara.

Afforded a rare opportunity, gallery patrons enter the eye-opening world of Samara.

The backside of the front panel includes a 1960 photo of the Christian family, which enjoyed a uniquely communicative relationship with the famed architect.

The backside of the front panel includes a 1960 photo of the Christian family, which enjoyed a uniquely communicative relationship with the famed architect.

Gallery manager Penny G. Lutz is interviewed by writer/video editor Thomas F. Speicher.

Gallery manager Penny G. Lutz is interviewed by writer/video editor Thomas F. Speicher.

Wright's winged-seed motif is echoed in this geometrical design for a Samara-themed area rug, created by apprentice Aris Georges.

Wright's winged-seed motif is echoed in this geometrical design for a Samara-themed area rug, created by apprentice Aris Georges.

A patinated copper garden lantern and prototype of fascia roof ornament exemplify Samara's exterior architectural elements.

A patinated copper garden lantern and prototype of fascia roof ornament exemplify Samara's exterior architectural elements.

Gallery guests inspect end tables.

Gallery guests inspect end tables.

Roger Shipley, whose work is displayed in Penn College's Art on Campus initiative, pores over architectural drawings.

Roger Shipley, whose work is displayed in Penn College's Art on Campus initiative, pores over architectural drawings.

... and film footage, such as this clip of daughter Linda at play in the yard.

... and film footage, such as this clip of daughter Linda at play in the yard.

Following his presentation in the ACC Auditorium, Quinan speaks to the opening reception's crowd.

Following his presentation in the ACC Auditorium, Quinan speaks to the opening reception's crowd.

In the library gallery's intimate setting, Quinan centers his conversation on the Samara rendering behind him - drawn by Wright's <br />
<br />

In the library gallery's intimate setting, Quinan centers his conversation on the Samara rendering behind him - drawn by Wright's

"favorite draftsman" and indicative of the leeway that the architect allowed his apprentices.

A fitting sentiment in Wright's own words

A fitting sentiment in Wright's own words

Drafting and construction/design photos from Williamsport Technical Institute, Williamsport Area Community College and Penn College provide an appropriate link between the gallery exhibit and the institution's 2014 centennial observance.

Drafting and construction/design photos from Williamsport Technical Institute, Williamsport Area Community College and Penn College provide an appropriate link between the gallery exhibit and the institution's 2014 centennial observance.