Allegheny Galleries Present ‘Persuasion’

The art galleries of Allegheny College will exhibit “Persuasion,” a survey of government-sponsored efforts at persuasion in the 20th century through the use of graphic art. The exhibit will open with a reception in the galleries on Tuesday, Jan. 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. and will continue through Feb. 21.

All of the works included “Persuasion” were made to shape public opinion. Whether the pieces led individuals toward a singular, shared worldview in line with a government’s agenda or resulted instead in public rejection of an agenda, the propagandistic elements influenced opinion simply through their creation and presentation. The exhibit includes WWII posters from the college’s permanent collection, photographs from the Farm Security Administration, and serigraphs from Puerto Rico’s Division of Community Education.

The exhibit is curated by Darren Lee Miller, associate professor of photography and digital imaging; Richard Schindler, professor of art history; and Ken Pinnow, professor of history. The exhibit is supported in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

Both the reception and the exhibit are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday12:30-4 p.m.Saturday1:30-5 p.m.; and Sunday2-4 p.m. The galleries are closed on Mondays. The Art Galleries, which are wheelchair accessible, are located in Doane Hall of Art, east of North Main Street between College and John Streets in Meadville.

For more information, call (814) 332-4365 or visit www.allegheny.edu/artgalleries.