The Sordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes University presents Material Pulses: Seven Viewpoints from Jan. 28 to March 15. The exhibition, focused on the art of quilt making, presents 17 works by seven fiber artists representing the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Curated by internationally renowned artist and teacher Nancy Crow, Material Pulses contributes to the dialogue of contemporary textile arts.
The exhibition features quilts, mixed media and installation work. Quilts of up to 101 inches high will be featured to illustrate the dramatic scale of an art form that is often relegated to its functional qualities. The artists investigate color, pattern and size through traditional and experimental quilt-making applications. The curator balances a focus on shapes with oversized works, exploring excellence in machine quilting and surface design.
The exhibition artists are Denise L. Roberts, Albright, W. Va.; Claire Benn, Surrey, England; Jayne Willoughby, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Mary Lou Alexander, Hubbard, Ohio; Christine Mauersberger, Cleveland, Ohio; Barb Wills, Prescott, Ariz.; and Elizabeth Brandt, Holland, Mich. Curator Nancy Crow has taught quilt making as an art form in fifteen countries including the United States. She is the cofounder of Quilt Surface Design and Quilt National. The exhibition is organized by ExhibitsUSA, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance.
In conjunction with Material Pulses, several events are being planned in the gallery:
- Art in Context lecture and opening reception: “What Binds Us Tight” 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30.Presented by fiber artist and scholar Eva Polizzi, the lecture will address female artists who work in the fiber medium and their often overlooked role in the history of the art. The lecture is preceded by an opening reception at 4:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Both the reception and the lecture are free and open to the public. In case of inclement weather, the lecture will take place at 5 p.m. on Feb. 7.
- Film screening: “Why Quilts Matter: History, Art and Politics” 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19.Offering a fresh, relevant exploration of quilts, two episodes of this nine-part series will be screened. Advance registration is required. Please contact Heather Sincavage at heather.sincavage@wilkes.edu or (570) 408-4325.
For more information, visit www.wilkes.edu/sordoniartgallery.
The $3 million, 7,000-square-foot Sordoni Art Gallery is a culmination of a gallery revitalization plan to enrich the arts for students, faculty and staff while contributing to cultural life in the local community. More than double the size of the former gallery, the new space opened in 2017 and is outfitted for high-end national art exhibitions and includes versatile opportunities for teaching and learning. The gallery shares space with the Karambelas Media and Communication Center at 141 S. Main St. in Wilkes Barre.
About ExhibitsUSA
This exhibition is toured by ExhibitsUSA, a national program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. ExhibitsUSA sends more than 25 exhibitions on tour to over 100 small- and mid-sized communities every year. These exhibitions create access to an array of arts and humanities experiences, nurture the understanding of diverse cultures and art forms, and encourage the expanding depth and breadth of cultural life in local communities. For more about ExhibitsUSA, email MoreArt@maaa.org or visit www.eusa.org.
About Mid-America Arts Alliance
Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) strengthens and supports artists, cultural organizations, and communities throughout our region and beyond. We achieve this primarily through our national traveling exhibition programs, innovative leadership development, and strategic grant making. We are especially committed to enriching the cultural life of historically underserved communities by providing high quality, meaningful, and accessible arts and culture programs and services. We believe in more art for more people. Additional information about M-AAA is available at www.maaa.org.
About Wilkes University
Wilkes University is a private, independent, non-sectarian institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. Founded in 1933, Wilkes is on a mission to create one of the nation’s finest doctoral universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a
small college, open to all who show promise. The Economist named Wilkes 25th in the nation for the value of its education for graduates. In addition to 46 majors, Wilkes offers 24 master’s degree programs and five doctoral/terminal degree programs, including the doctor of philosophy in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, doctor of education, doctor of pharmacy, and master of fine arts in creative writing. Learn more at www.wilkes.edu.
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