Gallery’s 17th season begins with ‘Unavoidable Intimacy’

The Gallery at Penn College opens its 17th season with an exhibit of steel sculptures and will close the 2022-23 academic year with a regional juried exhibition next summer.

Sculptor Lynden Cline’s “Unavoidable Intimacy” is on display Sept. 8 through Oct. 12, featuring an artist talk at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15, in the gallery on the third floor of The Madigan Library at Pennsylvania College of Technology. In the gallery lobby, “The Carnival,” a photography display by Elle Cee, will also be showcased Sept. 8 through Oct. 12.



In addition to working with graphic design students, Cline will offer a public workshop as part of her campus visit. “Creativity Grows on Trees” is set for 2 to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14, in The Dr. Welch Workshop: A Makerspace at Penn College. The artist will expose participants to the tools, fundamentals and strategies needed to stimulate creative output. Topics include: setting reasonable goals and expectations; process vs. product; generating and capturing ideas; and judging and analyzing work. The event is free, but registration is required as space is limited.

Cline’s work explores identity after a past filled with chaotic and confusing family situations. Her choice of medium speaks to her with its energy and strength and proves to be an effective vehicle to narrate her complex history.

“Several years ago, I was mystified by metal,” Cline said. “But I felt its energy, its sureness and its depth. I now find joy in the process of manipulating steel. I love the noise, the heat, the sparks, the challenge. The physical act of translating feelings into a structure is a valuable part of the process of my art. It takes strength from me and gives me strength in return.”

The Washington, D.C.-area visual artist, whose work has been described by The Washington Post as “a cross between Alice in Wonderland and Franz Kafka,” is the founder, curator and developer of Artists as Activists, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to distribute provocative art about social issues of the day to stimulate dialogue, raise consciousness and advocate change. As part of her role as a private art instructor, Cline also founded Creativity Grows on Trees, a program offering creative strategies to artists and others.

Her work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions in many major cities, and she is an active member of various art and community associations. She formerly served as president of the Washington (D.C.) Sculptors Group and taught at George Washington University’s Corcoran School of the Arts and Design.

Admission to The Gallery at Penn College is free and open to the public 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. (The gallery is closed on Mondays, Saturdays and during college holidays and breaks.) Prior to visiting, guests should view the college’s Continuity of Operations page for current guidelines related to the pandemic.

The 2022-23 season at a glance:

• Lynden Cline’s “Unavoidable Intimacy,” sculptures, Sept. 8 to Oct. 12; artist talk at 5 p.m. Sept. 15


• Elle Cee’s “The Carnival,” photography, Sept. 8 to Oct. 12 in the gallery lobby


• Geometric Aljamía artists’ “A Cultural Transliteration,” group show/mixed media, Oct. 25 to Dec. 2; artist talk at 5 p.m. Nov. 10


• John Singletary’s “Through Lines/Fault Lines,” photography and digital multimedia, Jan. 17 to March 22; artist talk at 5 p.m. Feb. 9


• “Architecture & Sustainable Design,” senior capstone projects, April 7-16; reception 4 to 6 p.m. April 7


• “Graphic Design 2023,” senior portfolio exhibition, April 27 to May 6; reception 4 to 6 p.m. April 28


• “100 Miles,” the 2023 regional juried exhibition, June 1 to July 20 (open during summer hours); reception 2 to 5 p.m. June 4

“As we begin the 17th season at The Gallery at Penn College, we are proud to continue our commitment to showcasing contemporary art,” said Penny Griffin Lutz, gallery director. “We hope that the outstanding shows coming this year will inspire and enthrall visitors, and we encourage the community to spend time exploring the exhibits.”

Serving as a cultural asset to the college and local communities, The Gallery at Penn College provides the opportunity for the appreciation and exploration of contemporary art and encourages critical thinking and meaningful experiences.

For more about the gallery or to register for a public workshop, email or call 570-320-2445. Artists can also visit the website to view exhibitor information and the call for entries for the 2023 regional juried exhibition.

For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.