Kimberly and Jon Stemler in their North Hall exhibit, “of earth and myth.” The exhibition kicks off the fine arts season at Montgomery County Community College.
Patrick Rodgers, galleries director, said this year’s exhibitions will showcase different styles of art that haven’t been as heavily featured in recent years.
A celebration of sculpture kicks off the 2024-2025 season of fine art exhibitions coming to the galleries at Montgomery County Community College’s (MCCC) campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown.
“Pushing Buttons” at the Fine Arts Center, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, will feature mixed-media sculpture. Meanwhile, “of earth and myth” at the North Hall Gallery, 101 College Drive, Pottstown, will feature a blend of wood sculpture and oil paintings.
Patrick Rodgers, Galleries Director, said this year’s exhibitions will showcase different styles of art that haven’t been as heavily featured in recent years.
“Our sculpture program was out of commission during COVID and slow to recover,” he said. “Now it’s back. I think it would be good for students to be able to see what area sculptors are doing.”
At the Blue Bell Campus, “Pushing Buttons,” will be on view now through Oct. 7, with an opening reception Sept. 13, 6-8 p.m.
A joint exhibition by Philadelphia Sculptors and Tri-State Sculptors, this exhibition features mixed media sculpture by 26 artists from Philadelphia to Savannah, Ga. Rodgers encouraged visitors to visit “Golden Oak Leaf Arch,” an outdoor installation of huge aluminum oak leaves made by Jim Galucci, a signature piece of the exhibition, outside the Fine Arts Center.
“It’s a really bold metal piece that frames the building nicely,” said Rodgers. “It’s out in nature and it’s been lent to us for an extended period so it can live there as the climate changes around it. It enlivens the sculpture roundabout out front of the Fine Arts Center.”
An arched oak leaves outdoor installation outside the Fine Arts Center. Sculpture exhibitions at Blue Bell and Pottstown campuses will kick off the fine arts season.“of earth and myth,” is on view now through Oct. 25, 2024, opening reception Sept. 20, 6-9 p.m.
Wood meets oil paint in this dynamic duo exhibition from partner artists Kimberly and Jon Stemler from Green Lane.
“Kimberly Stemler is an abstract painter,” said Rodgers. “Jon Stemler is a metal worker and sculptor. So, they’re going to be doing a joint show that plays off of each other’s work. They like to experiment with the idea of myth making and how myths are born of phenomena and creatures of the earth.”
Jon Stemler has created pieces that look “fossil-like” and are made from wood, said Rodgers. His largest piece is an assemblage of ash sculptures that resemble, in texture and scale, the bones of a blue whale. Kimberly Stemler paints abstract landscapes “that play with the sculptures in a way that make you feel a sense of place, but you’re not sure what that place is, which is what a good myth can be about. It can be vague, but it can also be evocative.”
A list of exhibitions coming to each campus this season is below. For full details, visit the College’s calendar page.
Blue Bell Campus Fine Art Center Gallery Exhibitions
“Pushing Buttons,” on view Aug. 28-Oct. 5, 2024, opening reception Sept. 13, 6-8 p.m.
A joint exhibition by Philadelphia Sculptors and Tri-State Sculptors, this exhibition features mixed media sculpture by 26 artists from Philadelphia to Savannah.
David Wiesner, on view Oct. 22-Nov. 16, 2024
Opening reception Oct. 22, 5-7 p.m.
The exhibition features sketches, storyboards, and deep insights into the illustration process of the Caldecott-winning picture book artist who specializes in wordless storytelling. The exhibition will highlight Wiesner’s unique process to write and illustrate children’s books that do not include using words on the page.
PumpkinFest—Oct. 26, 12-4 p.m.
The seventh annual communal pumpkin-carving workshop. The College will provide the pumpkins and tools; you bring the energy! RSVP required for free pumpkin—see college website and event listing for details.
38th PSEA Touch the Future High School Art Exhibition, on view Feb. 28-March 28, 2025
Opening reception in the gallery Sunday, March 2, 1-3 p.m.; awards ceremony at Parkhouse Hall 2 p.m.
This annual exhibition features the creative works of hundreds of high school artists throughout Montgomery and Bucks Counties. The gallery, open to the public, features prizes including best in show and category awards in drawing, painting photography, sculpture and printmaking, among others.
(Please note, the College will be closed for Spring Break March 8-15)
58th MCCC Student Exhibition, on view April 9-30, 2025
Opening reception and awards ceremony April 9, 5-7 p.m.
The annual showcase of MCCC student artwork. The display features pieces from a wide variety of media including oil paintings, ceramics, digit`al photography and pencil sketches.
Philadelphia Watercolor Society, on view May 9-31, 2025
Opening reception May 9, 6-8 p.m.
Celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Philadelphia Watercolor Society, a group show of member's vibrant watercolor works. The medium takes the spotlight in the gallery for the first time in several years and the exhibition will showcase some of the best artists in the region.
Pottstown Campus North Hall Gallery exhibitions
“of earth and myth: Kimberly and Jon Stemler” Aug. 28-Oct. 25, 2024
Opening reception Sept. 20, 6-9 p.m.
Wood meets oil paint in this dynamic duo exhibition from partner artists Kimberly and Jon Stemler.
20th Scenes of the Schuylkill Exhibition, Nov. 4-26, 2024
Celebrating 20 years of art throughout the Schuylkill River Watershed and scores of regional artists. This exhibition, featuring stunning landscape pieces, will be presented in partnership with Schuylkill River Greenways.
Pottstown Area Artists Guild Winter Members Showcase, Dec. 6, 2024-Jan. 31, 2025
Opening reception Dec. 6, 6-8 p.m.
This annual exhibition features energetic and diverse works from artists throughout the Pottstown area and beyond. The exhibition features a variety of mixed media including oils, watercolors, charcoal, encaustics, tapestries and sculpture. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
11th Tri-County High School Exhibition, Feb. 11-March 7, 2025
Opening reception and awards ceremony Feb. 11, 5-7 p.m.
Amazing works by talented teens throughout Montgomery, Chester, and Berks counties. The exhibition features a variety of media, including oils, watercolors, ceramics, prints, sculpture and more.
Kayla Ackelson, March 21-April 11, 2025
Opening reception March 21, 6-8 p.m.
Imaginative collage works and a new site-specific installation by the Pottstown-based painter and designer. Ackelson will enliven the gallery space in North Hall by creating a map that will cover the entire wall space within the alcoves. The exhibition will also include displays of some of her other work.
19th MCCC Student Exhibition, April 16-30, 2025
Opening reception April 16, 5-7 p.m.
Showcasing Pottstown-made artistry, this exhibition will spotlight MCCC students’ many talents in media including oil paintings, ceramics, digital photography, pencil sketches, and other media. The gallery is free and open to the public.
MCCC’s Fine Arts Galleries serve as spaces to educate and inspire students and the community. They are cultural hubs where artists and art enthusiasts can network and learn from one another.
Throughout the year, MCCC hosts a variety of exhibitions featuring professional artists and artwork in an array of genres. The College offers lectures, programs, and activities related to each exhibition, so visitors can further enjoy and engage with the arts. All exhibitions, receptions and activities are free and open to the community.
Fine Arts Galleries also are places where students, faculty and alumni can display and share their artwork. The Colleges hosts annual alumni and student exhibitions that highlight the quality of the Fine Arts program.
The Fine Arts Center is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed Sundays.
North Hall Gallery is open Monday -Thursday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is closed Saturday and Sunday.
The galleries will be closed on holidays. View the College Calendar for details.
For more information about the upcoming fine arts season of exhibitions, contact Galleries Director Patrick Rodgers at [email protected]
