Allegheny College Art Galleries Announce 2017-18 Exhibit Schedule

More than a dozen artists will come together to create “8 Hour Projects: Beyond These Walls” on Sept. 2 in the art galleries of Allegheny College, the first exhibit of the 2017-18 season.
An annual event, “8 Hour Projects” features works made on site, with the public invited to observe and, in some cases, participate. This year’s exhibit, featuring the work of 13 artists, all Allegheny College alumni, examines how artists work beyond the walls of Allegheny. The exhibit, curated by Darren Lee Miller, runs through Sept. 24.

The art galleries will present “Arab Spring/Unfinished Journeys,” works by Helen Zughaib, from Oct. 3-Nov. 12. A native of Beirut, Lebanon, Zughaib aims to “encourage dialogue and bring understanding acceptance between the people of the Arab world and the United States” through her art. Zughaib’s work has been widely exhibited in galleries and museums in the United States, Europe and Lebanon, and included in many private and public collections, including the White House, World Bank, Library of Congress, and the U.S Consulate General.
An opening reception and artist’s lecture will be held Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the galleries. The exhibit runs through Nov. 12 but will be closed Sat., Oct. 7 through Tuesday, Oct. 10 for fall break.
“Rough Trade: Clay Bodies and Queer Visions,” aims to reconceive the word “trade” as used in gay slang, to move it beyond sexuality and sex acts specifically to the broader realm of queerness. Many of the invited artists have created new works for the show to explore traditional craft, non-normative identity, power play, and risky assignations through ceramic sculpture and functional ware.
The exhibit, featuring the work of 11 artists and curated by Wesley Harvey, Darren Lee Miller, and Ian F. Thomas, will be on display from Jan. 23 through March 4. An opening reception will be held Jan. 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the galleries.
The 2017-18 season also includes a display of senior projects and Advanced Studio projects from Dec. 5-15; the Annual Student Show, featuring the work of graduating seniors and art majors and minors, April 3-15; and an exhibition of senior projects, April 3-15.
“8 Hour Projects: Beyond These Walls,” “Arab Spring/Unfinished Journeys,” and “Rough Trade: Clay Bodies and Queer Visions” are 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.
Please note some exhibit content is recommended for mature audiences.
Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 12:30-4 p.m.; Saturday, 1:30-5 p.m.; and Sunday, 2-4 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, phone 814-332-4365 or visit the art galleries website.
Image © Paula Frisch, Allegheny College class of 2011