Fine Arts and Dance

There Are No Graves Here, The Work of Mathew Samuel

Jenny — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:25:48 +0000

There Are No Graves Here, The Work of Mathew Samuel

Thursday, October 1, 2026 to Friday, January 29, 2027

Jenny Wed, 09/23/2026 - 11:25

Bogigian Gallery, Lortz Hall, �鶹��Ƶ
Opening reception: Thursday, October 1, 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Exhibition runs: October 1, 2026 to January 29, 2027
Gallery hours: Monday - Friday 10 a.m to 4 p.m.

there are no graves here, the work of Mathew Samuel Exhibition Statement

There are no graves here, for nothing truly ends. What we call death is only a passing through, a changing of form �鶹��Ƶ —raw material returning to the earth, energy moving beyond what we can see and what we can hold. A grave is made to hold the body, but it cannot hold the life, the love, or the influence of a person that lives not just in memory but through the teaching they gave to us to move forward. This is how we live forever. Death is not the opposite of life, but part of the same great migration: a threshold rather than an ending, a return rather than a disappearance. What we fear in loss may simply be a transformation we do not yet have the eyes to understand.

But in the face of unbelievable tragedy, the romantic notion of something more gives little reprieve to our crushing grief and the ever-present question of why?

"For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And what is it to cease breathing but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountaintop, then you shall begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance." - Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

This special exhibition is a tribute to the work of artist and educator Mathew Samuel, who tragically passed away on July 26th, 2026, at the age of 49.

Samuel passed away on July 26, 2026, at the age of 49. Throughout his career, he served as an associate professor at Lebanon Valley College, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, and Kutztown University. The exhibition's title reflects a central theme of his work and life: the belief that influence, love, and human connection transcend physical loss.

Curator's Note by Adam DelMarcelle, M.F.A., assistant professor of graphic design

Mathew Samuel is my friend, and he is my brother.

In preparing for this exhibition and the permanent archiving of my dear friend's work, I got the chance to spend time with and care for not only his amazing finished and unfinished works, but also his vast library of sketchbooks, journals, and correspondence. These are not materials often shown to the public because they are private spaces that artists use to record their thoughts, work out ideas, and sometimes bare their souls unfiltered. They can also be confessionals and diaries, places where we have the space to say anything, to scream at the world, those that disappoint us, and ourselves without fear of straining our relationships, isolating ourselves, or causing concern with those that love us at the harshness of our words or the fear in our images.

What I discovered through this time was a man that was deeply concerned for the world and his place in it. A person trying to find happiness while fearing for how he would be able to support his children and those that he loved. A man that navigated complicated relationships. A son that cared for ailing parents. A person that gave of themselves freely, only to find there was little left for them. This is all so very present within the works hanging in the Bogigian Gallery, but what is also there is a portal into the most loving friend I have ever had. He is asking us to care for one another, to know where we come from, and to consider where we may go. I love him very much, and I hope that as you spend time in this special place, I built for him, that you consider your place in this world and how you will decide to use the time you have left.

The title of the exhibition comes from a small, pocket-sized, first edition of Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet" that Matt had painstakingly painted, altered, highlighted, and drawn in. I discovered this among his things. I was moved by this small book for many reasons; I think he wanted me to find this. Matt underlined passages that spoke to him throughout the book, and you will find these messages throughout the gallery �鶹��Ƶ … You will also find his drafting table and his workspace. If you close your eyes and listen, you will hear him working.

Events

Fine Arts and Dance

Campus Events

Marcia Wolfson Ray Exhibit

Jenny — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 14:36:05 +0000

Marcia Wolfson Ray Exhibit

Monday, September 14, 2026 to Friday, December 11, 2026

Jenny Thu, 09/03/2026 - 10:36

Sue Davison Cooley Gallery, John Stewart Memorial Library

On Monday, September 14, �鶹��Ƶ will open an exhibition of Marcia Wolfson Ray �鶹��Ƶ ’s artwork in the Cooley Gallery. The exhibition will showcase two- and three-dimensional work of Wolfson Ray, primarily a sculptor, who investigates processes of transformation and evolution of materials. The exhibition will run through Dec. 11, 2026, and is open to the public at no cost.

Marcia Wolfson Ray will deliver a public talk on Wednesday, September 16, at 2 p.m. in the Cooley Gallery. A reception will follow.

Cooley Gallery is located on the second floor of the John Stewart Memorial Library and open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 11 p.m. Sunday.

Events

Fine Arts and Dance

Cumberland Valley Chorale Spring Concert 2027

Jenny — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:32:30 +0000

Cumberland Valley Chorale Spring Concert 2027

Sunday, April 25, 2027 - 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Jenny Fri, 08/21/2026 - 12:32

Join us for an afternoon of inspiring music as the Cumberland Valley Chorale at �鶹��Ƶ presents its Spring 2027 concert.

The event is free and open to the public and is made possible through the generous support of �鶹��Ƶ.

The concert will also be livestreamed at /spring-concert

Events

Fine Arts and Dance

�鶹��Ƶ Vespers 2026

Jenny — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:28:48 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ Vespers 2026

Saturday, December 12, 2026 - 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm

Jenny Fri, 08/21/2026 - 12:28

Join us for an evening of hymns, anthems, reflections, and readings to herald in the holiday season.

The Christmas Vespers service has been a �鶹��Ƶ tradition for over one-hundred years, bringing together members of our community for an evening of hymns, anthems, reflections, and readings to herald in the holiday season. While it has taken varied forms over the past century, tonight �鶹��Ƶ ’s service is inspired by King �鶹��Ƶ ’s College �鶹��Ƶ ’s historic Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from 1918. �鶹��Ƶ �鶹��Ƶ ’s Christmas Vespers incorporates readings, anthems, and carols which speak across our divisions, remind us of our humanity, and inspire us to prepare our souls for the holiday season.

Wilson �鶹��Ƶ ’s Christmas Vespers is free and open to the public. The service will also be live-streamed here: /vespers

Events

Fine Arts and Dance

Life, Death, and Objects That Move Us: Three-Dimensional Art

Jenny — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 19:13:07 +0000

Life, Death, and Objects That Move Us: Three-Dimensional Art

Saturday, July 18, 2026 - 3 pm to Saturday, September 5, 2026 - 5 pm

Jenny Thu, 07/30/2026 - 15:13

Sue Davison Cooley Gallery, John Stewart Memorial Library

�鶹��Ƶ is pleased to announce the opening of �鶹��Ƶ “Life, Death, and Objects That Move Us: Three-Dimensional Art, �鶹��Ƶ ” a new exhibition showcasing the work of five women artists whose practices span ceramics, enamel, metal, mixed media, and sculptural assemblage. The exhibition is on view through September 5, 2026, in the Sue Davison Cooley Gallery of the �鶹��Ƶ John Stewart Memorial Library. Admission is free and open to the public.

Events

Fine Arts and Dance

2025 MFA Artists' Residency Final Performance & Presentations

Jenny — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:44:44 +0000

2025 MFA Artists' Residency Final Performance & Presentations

Saturday, July 18, 2026

Jenny Thu, 07/16/2026 - 13:44

Locations TBD

Events

Fine Arts and Dance

Prof. Emeritus R.K. Dickson & Students Exhibition

Jenny — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:19:41 +0000

Prof. Emeritus R.K. Dickson & Students Exhibition

Thursday, April 23, 2026 - 9 am to Thursday, June 18, 2026 - 5 pm

Jenny Wed, 04/29/2026 - 11:19

Sue Davison Cooley Gallery, John Stewart Memorial Library

�鶹��Ƶ will host an art exhibition featuring artwork of �鶹��Ƶ Professor Emeritus, R.K. (Bob) Dickson and his students in the Cooley Gallery, located on the second floor of the John Stewart Memorial Library. The exhibition is on view from April 23, 2026, and will run through June 18, 2026,. It is open to the public at no cost.

Events

Fine Arts and Dance

Graphic Design

On the Edge of Light

Jenny — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 18:09:18 +0000

On the Edge of Light

Sunday, April 26, 2026 - 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Jenny Thu, 02/19/2026 - 13:09

Laird Hall

Cumberland Valley Chorale at �鶹��Ƶ Spring Concert

On the Edge of Light

Sunday, April 26 at 3 p.m.
LOCATION UPDATE: The concert has been moved to Laird Hall.

Join us for an afternoon of inspiring music as the Cumberland Valley Chorale at �鶹��Ƶ presents its Spring 2026 concert, On the Edge of Light, on Sunday, April 26, at 3 p.m. in Laird Hall.

The concert will explore themes of light and darkness, examining human experiences of despair, hope, joy and love through choral music. The program will feature selections from The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, timetested hymnody and additional works spanning popular, classical, and contemporary traditions.

The concert will also include a performance by Wilson �鶹��Ƶ ’s a cappella group, the Ten Tones, featuring a new spring set and live selections from the group �鶹��Ƶ ’s second professional recording session.

The event is free and open to the public and is made possible through the generous support of �鶹��Ƶ.

The concert will also be livestreamed at /spring-concert

Events

Fine Arts and Dance

Artist Talk with Jada Patterson

Jenny — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 20:02:43 +0000

Artist Talk with Jada Patterson

Friday, April 10, 2026 - 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Jenny Mon, 02/02/2026 - 15:02

John Stewart Memorial Library

As part of �鶹��Ƶ �鶹��Ƶ ’s annual ArtsFest, Pittsburgh-based visual artist Jada Patterson will deliver a public talk on Friday, April 10, at 3 p.m. on the first floor of John Stewart Memorial Library.

Events

Fine Arts and Dance

Jada Patterson Exhibit: A Seed's A Star

Jenny — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 17:17:12 +0000

Jada Patterson Exhibit: A Seed's A Star

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 - 9 am to Thursday, February 5, 2026 - 5 pm

Jenny Mon, 02/02/2026 - 12:17

Sue Davison Cooley Gallery, John Stewart Memorial Library

�鶹��Ƶ will open an art exhibit featuring artwork by Pittsburgh-based visual artist Jada Patterson on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in the Cooley Gallery, located on the second floor of the John Stewart Memorial Library (JSML). The exhibition will run through April 10, 2026, and is open to the public at no cost.

Events

Fine Arts and Dance