Penn College News

Artist's talk, demo set for Thursday in gallery

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor

The community is reminded of the "Art of the Everyday" reception set for 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, in The Gallery at Penn College. Artist Mary Michael Shelley will share remarks at 5:30 p.m. and demonstrate her low-relief wood carving process.

Shelley's exhibit is on display through Nov. 26 in the gallery on the third floor of The Madigan Library. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.

Shelley grew up on a farm in Bucks County and resides in Ithaca, New York. Inspired by the everyday world around her, her artwork includes scenes of local diners, bars, shops and farms in upstate New York, as well as family portraits of her family and image metaphors of life lessons.

The Gallery at Penn College’s hours are: 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; Noon to 4 p.m. Fridays; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.

A reception for "Art of the Everyday" will be held 4:30 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7, in The Gallery at Penn College. Artist Mary Michael Shelley will talk at 5:30 p.m. and demonstrate her low-relief wood carving process.
"By documenting happy times, I cement them forever in a picture," the artist shares on a gallery wall.
Inspired by the everyday world around her in Upstate New York, Shelley's pieces include scenes of diners ...
... bird-watching excursions ...
... local bars ...
... various small-town establishments ...
... and farm life.
Shelley's exhibit is on display through Nov. 26, on the third floor of The Madigan Library.
Her scenes offer much to explore.
Delighting in the details
Shelley's works are in various collections, including the Smithsonian Institution, American Folk Art Museum and National Museum of Women in the Arts.
The artist grew up on a farm in Bucks County, an area rich in tradition, antiques, history and craft.
A mindfulness exercise in meaning and metaphor