Art & Design

Meeting Marcia Wolfson Ray

Jenny — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:19:34 +0000

Meeting Marcia Wolfson Ray Jenny Tue, 09/22/2026 - 11:19

Written by Parker Knepper '27

On Wednesday, September 16 we had the pleasure of hosting artist Marcia Wolfson Ray and her work �鶹��Ƶ “The Ten Thousand Things �鶹��Ƶ ” in the Cooley Gallery. Wolfson Ray showcased two- and three-dimensional artwork which reflects her deep affection for nature. The displayed sculptures are composed of burnt and bleached wood that were gathered from marshes in Maryland, as well as willow dowels tied together intersecting the wood stumps. Wolfson Ray describes her asymmetrical artwork as having a progress of evolution and being totally random, giving her a sense of content. She shared with her audience �鶹��Ƶ “The importance of art is to explore �鶹��Ƶ ”.

Alongside Wolfson Ray �鶹��Ƶ ’s presentation of artwork there was an incorporated message of self-improvement and exploration. She highlighted the importance of how peer feedback from college professors and even a physical therapist helped improve her artwork for the better. �鶹��Ƶ “Compliments are great �鶹��Ƶ …but do they help you push your work further? �鶹��Ƶ ”. Wolfson Ray encourages people to explore new directions within their work, leading to new places they wouldn't have thought they could reach.

�鶹��Ƶ “The art is very beautiful and so different, especially with the natural materials used. Very interesting and different from what Wilson typically shows �鶹��Ƶ ” - Riley Braswell �鶹��Ƶ ’28

�鶹��Ƶ “When you �鶹��Ƶ ’re an artist a part of the great thing is getting your work out for people to see. �鶹��Ƶ ”- Marcia Wolfson Ray

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�鶹��Ƶ Presents New Exhibition by Artist Marcia Wolfson Ray

Jenny — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 18:02:05 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ Presents New Exhibition by Artist Marcia Wolfson Ray Jenny Thu, 09/03/2026 - 14:02

�鶹��Ƶ will open an art exhibit featuring artwork by Baltimore visual artist Marcia Wolfson Ray on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in the Cooley Gallery, located on the second floor of the John Stewart Memorial Library (JSML). The exhibition will run through Dec. 11, 2026, and is open to the public at no cost. Wolfson Ray will deliver a public talk on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 2 p.m. in the Cooley Gallery, and a reception will follow.

The exhibition will showcase two- and three-dimensional work by Wolfson Ray, primarily a sculptor, who investigates processes of transformation and evolution in materials. Wolfson Ray collects pine wood, willow, and a variety of marsh grasses from Maryland �鶹��Ƶ ’s Eastern Shore and then arranges them into complex forms exploring modular units, patterns, and the repetition and variety of forms.

Each winter, the Eastern Shore marshes are burned. This controlled burn allows for healthy spring growth, increases plant variety, and enhances wildlife habitat. The patterns of nature created by the process act as a catalyst for her ideas. Wolfson Ray builds pine scaffolding with willow dowels, then weaves, ties, and glues smaller sticks and grasses to the structure. She writes: �鶹��Ƶ “With each work I create, I take a journey in a very physical sense with a destination that reveals itself step by step. The initiation of this process, which begins when I am out in the landscape, allows me an intimacy with the natural world, which helps me feel connected to the very thing that makes my existence possible. �鶹��Ƶ ”

A native of Baltimore, Wolfson Ray earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the Maryland Institute College of Art and taught in Baltimore City public schools for more than 25 years. She has exhibited widely on the Atlantic coast at venues including Coastal Carolina University, College of Southern Maryland, University of Connecticut, Hillyer Art Space in Washington, D.C., Blue Spiral 1 Gallery in Asheville, N.C., among others.

The exhibition is opening during JSM Library �鶹��Ƶ ’s regular hours, Sunday 3-11 p.m., Monday through Thursday 7:45 a.m.-11 p.m., and Friday 7:45 a.m.-5 p.m. The Library is closed on Saturday.

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Studio Art

Five Women Artists Featured in New �鶹��Ƶ Art Exhibition

Jenny — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:47:51 +0000

Five Women Artists Featured in New �鶹��Ƶ Art Exhibition Jenny Tue, 07/28/2026 - 15:47

�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.

Curated in collaboration with graduate students enrolled in �鶹��Ƶ �鶹��Ƶ ’s Master of Fine Arts summer residency program, the exhibition explores the relationships among material, memory, transformation, and human experience. While each artist approaches her work through distinct materials and personal concerns, unexpected conversations emerge across the exhibition.

The artists are:

Jeannine Dabb, �鶹��Ƶ M.F.A. Class of 2025
Sally Frehn, �鶹��Ƶ M.F.A. Class of 2019
Lisa Harman, �鶹��Ƶ M.F.A. Class of 2018
Denise Joyal, M.F.A., adjunct instructor at �鶹��Ƶ
Margaret Yaukey, M.F.A., visual arts coordinator at Hagerstown Community College

�鶹��Ƶ “The exhibition's title, Life, Death, and Objects That Move Us, invites multiple readings, �鶹��Ƶ ” said Joshua Legg, co-curator and professor of interdisciplinary practice. �鶹��Ƶ “It speaks not only to movement through physical space, but to the emotional, psychological, and spiritual movement that art makes possible. �鶹��Ƶ ”

The exhibition emerged from the MFA summer residency course Curation and Dramaturgy, a four-week intensive in which students examined the role of the curator as a facilitator of dialogue. Throughout the course, students considered what it means to curate not simply by arranging objects within a gallery, but by creating meaningful relationships among artists, artworks, and ideas.

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�鶹��Ƶ Announces 2026 ArtsFest Schedule

Jenny — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:14:05 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ Announces 2026 ArtsFest Schedule Jenny Mon, 03/23/2026 - 14:14

�鶹��Ƶ will host ArtsFest 2026 from April 6 �鶹��Ƶ –10, a weeklong celebration showcasing talents of Wilson artists, nationally recognized visiting professionals, and creative programming for the campus and surrounding community. Now in its fourth year, ArtsFest has become a signature Franklin County event that highlights the role of the arts in fostering connection, collaboration, and community dialogue.

The theme for the 2026 festival is �鶹��Ƶ “Art Is �鶹��Ƶ … Experimentation. �鶹��Ƶ ” ArtsFest is supported in part by The Palmer Family Foundation, a fund of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities. This support enables Wilson to welcome four visiting artists whose work reflects innovation across disciplines: Broadway producer Sue Gilad; multidisciplinary visual artist Jada Patterson; letterpress printer and educator Amos Paul Kennedy Jr.; and dance theater collective Project ChArma.

Featured Events and Exhibitions

A Conversation with Sue Gilad

Broadway producer Sue Gilad will lead an insider �鶹��Ƶ ’s discussion on the business of bringing shows from page to stage. She will share behind-the-scenes insights into the creative and logistical forces that shape awardwinning productions. The conversation will also highlight the West End hit �鶹��Ƶ “Burlesque the Musical, �鶹��Ƶ ” co-produced by Wilson President Wesley R. Fugate and Gilad, offering a dual perspective on the collaborative process behind a major international production.

�鶹��Ƶ “A Seed �鶹��Ƶ ’s A Star �鶹��Ƶ ” Exhibition and Talk with Jada Patterson

This exhibition features work by multidisciplinary artist Jada Patterson, whose practice explores identity, adornment, material culture, and Black traditions of hair and body ornamentation, particularly as they relate to girlhood. Patterson �鶹��Ƶ ’s art merges traditional craft with contemporary perspectives, illuminating the complexities and beauty of human experience. Patterson will discuss their influences and artistic journey in a public talk.

�鶹��Ƶ “Consider Everything an Experiment �鶹��Ƶ ” Exhibition and Talk with Amos Paul Kennedy Jr.

This exhibition showcases the expressive, socially engaged letterpress prints of Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. His bold, layered print work blends cultural wisdom, civil rights history, and graphic power, transforming traditional printing into a tool for community engagement and social justice. Kennedy will participate in a public conversation about his process, purpose, and the evolving role of art in social change.

Spirit-led Dance in the New America with Ama Law of Project ChArma

Project ChArma's movement style has always been shaped by a blend of influences: Hip-Hop culture, West African polyrhythms, and post-modern dance flow. In this dance workshop, they will explore solidarity through these forms. They will start with line dances �鶹��Ƶ —literally �鶹��Ƶ “jumping in �鶹��Ƶ ” to learn sequences, embodying the Africanist principle of �鶹��Ƶ “each one teach one. �鶹��Ƶ ” They will review popular line dances, invite participants to share new ones they bring, and close by creating a unique group sequence that marks our coming together in this new space and time. They will discuss the historical significance of these dances in African American resistance, survival, and progress.

The Arts at Wilson created ArtsFest to showcase the remarkable art, artists, and artistic opportunities at the College. The festival seeks to engage the �鶹��Ƶ campus and regional community in creative experiences to open dialogue and build connections that inspire positive change in the world.

ArtsFest is free and open to the public, although some events are limited to the �鶹��Ƶ community or require reservations. A detailed schedule and event descriptions are available at www.wilson.edu/artsfest.

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�鶹��Ƶ Presents New Exhibition by Multidisciplinary Artist Jada Patterson

Jenny — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 17:16:57 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ Presents New Exhibition by Multidisciplinary Artist Jada Patterson Jenny Mon, 02/02/2026 - 12:16

�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.

The exhibition will showcase the work of Patterson, a multidisciplinary artist and craftsperson who investigates the intersection of traditional craft and high art. Their work examines themes of beauty, adornment, girlhood, and the human condition. At the epicenter of their artistic exploration is a focus on identity, material culture, personal history, and Black traditions of hair and body adornment, particularly as they relate to girlhood.

�鶹��Ƶ “Jada Patterson �鶹��Ƶ ’s ability to fuse traditional craft with contemporary visual language creates an experience that is both personal and universally resonant. We are honored to share their powerful and thought �鶹��Ƶ ‑provoking work with the Wilson community and regional audiences, �鶹��Ƶ ” said Philip Lindsey, professor of fine arts.

Born in Wisconsin and raised in Milwaukee, Patterson began their formal studies at the Kansas City Art Institute, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in ceramics and art history. They continued their artistic development through programs at the Ox-Bow School of Art, Charlotte Street Foundation, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and Berea College, among others. Patterson currently serves as a host at the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina.

As part of �鶹��Ƶ �鶹��Ƶ ’s annual ArtsFest, Patterson will deliver a public talk on Friday, April 10, at 3 p.m. on the first floor of JSM Library.

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�鶹��Ƶ Showcases Centuries of Protest Art in New Exhibition

Jenny — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 14:12:39 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ Showcases Centuries of Protest Art in New Exhibition Jenny Tue, 11/18/2025 - 09:12

�鶹��Ƶ will open a new art exhibition titled �鶹��Ƶ “Jacques Callot and Those Who Came After �鶹��Ƶ ” on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 4:30 p.m. in the first-floor gallery of the John Stewart Memorial Library. The exhibition will run through the spring semester.

The show features 18 etchings that make up Jacques Callot �鶹��Ƶ ’s masterpiece, Les Grandes Misères de la Guerre (1633), or The Miseries and Misfortunes of War. This series is considered the first anti-war statement in Western art.

Curated by Adam DelMarcelle, assistant professor of graphic design, the exhibition was a collaborative effort by �鶹��Ƶ students during the fall 2025 semester. Students in the Western Art History 1000 �鶹��Ƶ –1800 course undertook the research and writing, while the Graphic Design II class developed the exhibition �鶹��Ƶ ’s visual language and way-finding system, enhancing the experience of the powerful work and artifacts. Students in the Typography and the Letterform class built the catalog, and digital photography students contributed striking photographic elements that elevate the artifacts displayed alongside works by Callot, Francisco Goya, Otto Dix, and Ernst Barlach.

�鶹��Ƶ “Interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration lie at the very heart of a liberal arts education, and throughout the months of preparation leading up to the opening, this remarkable group of students embodied the very best of what can happen in the classroom �鶹��Ƶ —when learning is guided and considered by openness, curiosity, and a touch of romance. To say I am proud of them would be an understatement, �鶹��Ƶ ” said DelMarcelle.

Callot �鶹��Ƶ ’s influence spans centuries, inspiring artists such as Goya, Dix, and Barlach to confront the same haunting questions about why humans go to war. This exhibition traces the lineage of protest through printed images, reminding viewers that in the darkest hours, the artist bears witness. It also reflects the collaboration behind its creation, bringing together a multidisciplinary group of students from diverse backgrounds to create an experience that is both rich and nuanced.

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Emerging Artists Shine in �鶹��Ƶ Exhibit at Coyle Free Library

Jenny — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:56:56 +0000

Emerging Artists Shine in �鶹��Ƶ Exhibit at Coyle Free Library Jenny Fri, 10/31/2025 - 13:56

An exhibit featuring artwork by �鶹��Ƶ students will open Saturday, Nov. 1, �鶹��Ƶ  2025, �鶹��Ƶ  at the Coyle Free Library in Chambersburg. The �鶹��Ƶ  exhibition is designed to inspire visitors with the creativity expressed by a unique group of students.

Visitors can expect to see more than 25 pieces of original artwork from �鶹��Ƶ  Wilson �鶹��Ƶ  students enrolled in Drawing I, Intro to Design, Digital Photography and Graphic Design courses. The show will highlight a variety of media, reflecting the diverse talents of students.

This is the third time �鶹��Ƶ is collaborating with Coyle Free Library to display student work. The library is not only a cornerstone of the community, but it also shares a special connection with Wilson. Lou Cowles, a reference librarian with the Franklin County Library System, is a proud member of the �鶹��Ƶ Class of 1964. Her support and involvement help to bring the two institutions together for this public showcase.

�鶹��Ƶ “The opportunity helps students develop their artistic voices, and the show allows Wilson the opportunity to share creative, scholarly endeavours with our community, �鶹��Ƶ ” said Philip Lindsey, professor of fine arts at Wilson. �鶹��Ƶ “Community engagement is critical to �鶹��Ƶ  the institutional mission and vision. Wilson �鶹��Ƶ  College �鶹��Ƶ  is a huge part of this community, and everyone �鶹��Ƶ  benefits �鶹��Ƶ  from these opportunities. �鶹��Ƶ ”

Students also enjoy displaying their art publicly. �鶹��Ƶ “It makes them feel like professional artists, �鶹��Ƶ ” �鶹��Ƶ  Lindsey added.

The show runs through December 15, 2025. Admission is free and open to the public. �鶹��Ƶ  

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�鶹��Ƶ Shares Letterpress Printing in New Art Exhibit

Jenny — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 19:53:09 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ Shares Letterpress Printing in New Art Exhibit Jenny Wed, 09/10/2025 - 15:53

�鶹��Ƶ will present an exhibition of work by artist Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. in the Bogigian Gallery, Lortz Hall, from September 18 through November 7, 2025. The College will host an opening reception starting at 4:30 p.m. on September 18.

Titled �鶹��Ƶ “Amos Paul Kennedy Jr.: Consider Everything An Experiment, �鶹��Ƶ ” the exhibition showcases Kennedy �鶹��Ƶ ’s dynamic approach to letterpress printing, blending traditional techniques with contemporary design sensibilities. Known for his bold, layered compositions and distinctive typographic style, Kennedy �鶹��Ƶ ’s work invites viewers to engage with language, color, and form in fresh and thought-provoking ways.

Working with handset wood and metal type, Kennedy emphasizes the physical labor and tactile beauty of the traditional printing process. His method of overprinting vibrant colors in dense, rhythmic layers results in visually striking pieces that allow chance and repetition to become part of the message. No two prints are ever the same as each carries its own visual weight and emotional resonance. The Library of Congress, Emory University, and the Newberry Library, among others, house Kennedy �鶹��Ƶ ’s work, which is recognized for its combination of wit, insight, and craftsmanship.

This exhibition celebrates letterpress printing as a medium of artistic dialogue and cultural expression.

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MFA 2025 Summer Art Show to be Held at �鶹��Ƶ

Jenny — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 20:13:57 +0000

MFA 2025 Summer Art Show to be Held at �鶹��Ƶ Jenny Mon, 07/14/2025 - 16:13

�鶹��Ƶ will host the 2025 M.F.A. Summer Art Show on Saturday, July 19, showcasing the works of its Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) students completing the 2025 Summer Residency Program. Beginning at noon, the event will feature final showings and exhibitions by the M.F.A. students including theatrical and choreographic solo and ensemble performance pieces, site-specific theatrical work, visual art exhibitions, short story readings, and interdisciplinary collaborations.

The show is free for the public. Performances will begin in the Appenzellar-Buchanan Dance Studio promptly at noon and then move to site-specific and exhibition gallery locations.

Wilson �鶹��Ƶ ’s M.F.A. Program is a two-year terminal degree designed for professionals or experienced artists working in their respective fields. This low-residency program requires two consecutive summer residency periods of four weeks each. The summer intensives include individual studio time with faculty mentoring and critique, as well as seminars addressing major concerns in the disciplines.

For more information, please visit www.wilson.edu/mfa-summer-art-show-2025.

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�鶹��Ƶ ArtsFest 2025 to Focus on Sharing Expertise

Jenny — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 16:42:47 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ ArtsFest 2025 to Focus on Sharing Expertise Jenny Fri, 03/21/2025 - 12:42

�鶹��Ƶ will showcase the remarkable art, artists, and artistic opportunities available at the College during the third annual ArtsFest to be held on campus April 7 to 11, 2025.

The theme for this year �鶹��Ƶ ’s event is �鶹��Ƶ “Art is �鶹��Ƶ …Shared Stories, �鶹��Ƶ ” which features �鶹��Ƶ community members sharing their experiences, expertise, and work. ArtsFest is a week-long event that includes presentations/readings, performances, projects, workshops/classes, exhibitions, immersive experiences, �鶹��Ƶ “make and take �鶹��Ƶ ” or arts and craft type experiences, and other type of arts-based events. �鶹��Ƶ students and faculty who have been engaging in any arts-based research, experiences, or projects/assignments as a part of their coursework will be sharing this type of work, as well. �鶹��Ƶ  

�鶹��Ƶ “We are excited to continue building on the growing success and interest in �鶹��Ƶ �鶹��Ƶ ’s ArtsFest. This year our focus is on shared stories and our campus and Chambersburg arts community has stepped forward with some amazing stories to share. In addition to our campus and local talent, we are excited to also present four nationally recognized invited artists as part of this year �鶹��Ƶ ’s events. Thanks to the generous support of the Palmer Grant, we are able to host Sir Dominique Jordan for a poetry reading, visual artist Sue Coe, singer and composer Melanie DeMore, and choreographer Camille Weanquoi, �鶹��Ƶ ” said Dillon Beede, director of choral activities and chair of music.

The Arts at Wilson created ArtsFest to spotlight the remarkable art, artists, and artistic opportunities at Wilson. Distinguished by interdisciplinary programs and collaborative approaches to craft and inquiry, ArtsFest seeks to engage the �鶹��Ƶ campus and greater regional community in art and art-making opportunities that reach across disciplines, subject, and boundaries, intending to foster relationships, connections, and ideas that effect positive change in our world.

ArtsFest is free, but please note that some events are open to the �鶹��Ƶ community only and some events request reservations. For a detailed schedule and event descriptions, please visit www.wilson.edu/artsfest.

ArtsFest was partially funded by The Palmer Family Foundation, a fund of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

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