Guests enjoy the opening of LHU's university/community art show in Bentley Gallery.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Lock Haven University’s 2009 Homecoming festivities kicked off with a university/community arts show opening and reception in the Bentley Art Gallery on Friday evening, September 25. The show will run until October 23.

According to Ray Heffner, associate professor of art and chair of the art department, “This is a great show.” He praised the quality and diversity of work in the exhibit which, he said, “blends arts and crafts.”

Heffner explained that the Homecoming art show in Bentley is part of LHU’s efforts to reach out to the community. Heffner said he had “wanted for some time to sponsor some events that would attract the local community to campus. This seemed like a great opportunity to collaborate with local artists, something we hope to promote in the future.” Heffner added, “Along with showcasing student art work, this is the kind of event that the Bentley Gallery was created for and supports very well.”

After the opening, Heffner commented, “The show was very well received by the participants and the public.” He looks forward to other such university/community collaborations. “Events like this are something we hope to do more of through the newly-formed LHU Arts Alliance, an on-going collaboration between Visual and Performing Arts Departments,” he said.

Heffner, who oversaw the installation of the show, noted highlights. These include Stan Wisnewski, an emeritus art faculty, showing a landscape watercolor and Tom Svec, a local craftsman showing some of his handcrafted furniture. The show also features expressive landscape paintings by local artist and LHU alumnus Joe Bitner ‘83, a figure painting by George Stefanski, a landscape of Main Street, Lock Haven by Peg Johnston, and colorful abstract landscapes by Virginia Marshall. Tommy Grieco is showing photographs he took of the construction of Constitution Bridge and the levee.

Local artists/craftsmen in the show include local craftsperson Lynn Thorson (jewelry and photography), Sandra Considine (digital art and photography), Elizabeth Lynch (ceramic tile mirrors), Vivienne Shay (Santa figurine), Patrizia Hoffman (jewelry) and Don Clark (landscape scene /paintings in oil)..

The show also includes works by LHU art alumni Mike Seeber (ceramic tiles), Kurt Hermann (paintings), Aaron Held (metal sculpture), Randy Baker (ceramic torso) and Erin Sidler (cramic foot). Current students whose works are on display are Sean Maloy (digital art), Nathan Fought (photography), Ligon McMurry (painting), Andrew Richards (pencil drawing) , Jeanney Wharton (abstract wood constructions) and Rebecca Forbes (pottery).

Art faculty represented are Ray Heffner (charcoal drawings), Vance Mccoy (pottery) and Melinda Hodge (jewelry).

For the show, LHU brought out a mural by Justin Chirico, LHU class of 2005. This painted wood carving featuring animated-looking human-machine hybrids was a senior project.

Members of the LHU Fine Arts Society (the LHU student art club) helped with the installation. Heffner thanked Kristin Bone, Matt Williams and Kenton Clauson for helping to get the show ready for opening night. Art professors Jason Bronner and Vance McCoy helped with installation and supervision.