Photo Caption:
	Klimek’s work is a hybrid of photography, printmaking and sculpture, focusing on the current economic climate in America. In some of her works, Klimek uses images and themes from her hometown in rural Appalachia as metaphors for the impact of the recession, including the struggling housing market and once-thriving coal-mining towns. This is Landscape 10.

New art exhibit at LHU has rural roots

Public invited to attend exhibit and artist’s reception

Feb. 8, 2012

LOCK HAVEN, Pa.—The public is invited to a new art exhibit in the Sloan Fine Arts gallery on the Lock Haven University campus.  The works of internationally-recognized artist Elizabeth Klimek will be on display from February 20 – March 23.  Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

The artist’s reception will be at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22.  Visitors will have an opportunity to meet with Klimek and hear her speak about her work.  There is no charge for this event.

Klimek’s work is a hybrid of photography, printmaking and sculpture, focusing on the current economic climate in America. In some of her works, Klimek uses images and themes from her hometown in rural Appalachia as metaphors for the impact of the recession, including the struggling housing market and once-thriving coal-mining towns.

In her most current suite of work, her Silhouette series, Klimek blends images of wallpaper and a silhouette of a house.  “I find that the desire to adorn the home and be house proud is important to people, even if their homes are not examples from House Beautiful,” she says.  “Through my research I am finding that patterns of wallpaper that beautified the walls of the aristocracy are also reprinted in later years and can be seen on many walls of working class people in America.  I find this simple, utilitarian form of printmaking able to cross boundaries of class remarkable.”

Klimek has had many solo exhibitions throughout the United States.  Her works are also represented in several collections and in numerous group exhibitions in the United States and abroad.  She has won numerous award and honors for both her art and her teaching.

Klimek earned her B.F.A. in printmaking from West Virginia University and her M.F.A. in printmaking from the University of Tennessee. She teaches printmaking at the Corcoran College of Art + Design in Washington, D.C. and gives frequent guest workshops and lectures throughout the United States.

Since 1993, Klimek has been a member of SGC International, an educational non-profit organization committed to informing its membership about issues and processes concerning original prints, drawings, book arts and hand-made paper.  SGCI also strives to increase public appreciation of these arts. It is the largest print organization in North America. She is currently SGCI Board Secretary.

Lock Haven University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth.  Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study.  Nearly 405,000 system alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

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