Handcrafted wooden masks, created by Penn College students enrolled in Wood Sculpture (ART142), are on display in the lobby of The Gallery at Penn College. The students’ talents complement the gallery’s current exhibition, “Art of the Everyday,” showcasing the woodcarvings of Mary Michael Shelley, of Ithaca, New York.
Both exhibits are available for viewing through Tuesday, Nov. 26. The remaining hours to visit the gallery and its lobby, located on the third floor of The Madigan Library, are: Noon to 4 p.m., Friday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday; and 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. (Monday visits can be made by appointment by emailing gallery@pct.edu.) The exhibits are free and open to the public.
Students in the Wood Sculpture course were assigned the task of creating unique masks inspired by African traditions. Each student was designated a specific African tribe to research in depth, explained their instructor, Mark W. Wilson.
“Following their research, students presented their findings to the class, sharing key cultural insights and artistic influences,” Wilson said. “The information gathered from these presentations served as a foundation for subsequent stages of the creative process, including preliminary sketches, the creation of clay maquettes and, ultimately, the construction of full-sized wooden masks.”
Students with work in the gallery lobby display are: Colby P. Dell, a welding & fabrication engineering technology major from Great Neck, New York; Mason M. Gantt, heating, ventilation & air conditioning engineering technology, of Shermans Dale; Caleb J. Kitka, aviation maintenance technology, Montgomery; Alex J. Lockcuff, automotive technology management, Montgomery; Jacob T. Martin, manufacturing engineering technology, Williamsport; Paige E. Miller, polymer engineering technology, Hollidaysburg; Kyle J. Nothstein, welding & fabrication engineering technology, Lehighton; Devon V. Parker, graphic design, Williamsport; Jonathan R. Smith, engineering design technology, Jersey Shore; Brandon T. Staquet, engineering design technology, Royersford; Aaron B. Ulrich, network administration & engineering technology, Kreamer; and Ethan L. Young, residential construction technology & management, Williamsport.
“I couldn't be prouder of my Wood Sculpture class this semester!” enthused Wilson, instructor of graphic design. “What an amazing group of hard-working students!”