Penn College News

Art appreciation, family-style

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

David A. Stabley talks to CLC youngsters about the mosaic.Eyes wide with wonderment“We are raising art connoisseurs,” said Barbara J. Albert, director of the Dunham Children’s Learning Center, as she addressed the enthusiasm over the latest artistic addition to the center’s walls. “When families come through the door, I think they are surprised by the mosaic. It is unusual to see art of this caliber in a child care center.”



 Excited little art connoisseursThe mosaic, measuring 7½ feet by 4 feet, was coordinated and crafted by David A. Stabley, instructor of ceramics and wood sculpture, who received extra assistance from elementary and college students.

In the spring of 2018, Stabley met with Kelly Jameson-Campbell’s kindergarten class at Donald E. Schick Elementary School in Loyalsock Township and encouraged the students to draw for him.

From those drawings, Stabley selected certain images to incorporate into the Children’s Learning Center mosaic. Penn College students in one of Stabley’s mosaic classes assisted with color selection and assembling. The mosaic was installed by General Services employees.

The layout of glass pieces begins.Earlier-in-process images show initial drawings and Stabley’s first sketch.Stabley has also created four other mosaic installations on campus: in the atrium of the Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center, in Capitol Eatery, and on exterior walls of the Physician Assistant Center and the Hager Lifelong Education Center.