Aerial view of campus with Williamsport, the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Mountain as a backdrop

Lycoming College “Small Works” exhibit explores the dualisms of blue-collar labor

Lycoming College “Small Works” exhibit explores the dualisms of blue-collar labor

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Lycoming College is pleased to present “Small Works,” a solo exhibition of stop motion animations and 2D mixed media by artist Sarah Jenkins. The exhibition opens March 1, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the College’s Digital Media Gallery, and is free and open to the public. Any viewings after the opening will be available by appointment only.

Jenkins’ work, inspired by the duality of blue-collar labor, stems from her upbringing in a rural mining town in Appalachia. Her animation systems involve materials such as charcoal, coal slag, screws, t-pins, wood, cardboard and thread. The systems turn, pour, fill, blacken and cut as they perform small labors. The process of stop motion animation is significant to the concept of her work, as it is slow, repetitive and requires patience. According to Jenkins, the animation systems are a labor of love.

She is the recipient of several awards and grants from Pennsylvania State University Altoona, Tufts University, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She most recently received the Studio Maelor Annual award, a 2018 funded artist residency in Corris, Wales.

Jenkins received a Bachelor of Arts from Pennsylvania State University Altoona, and a Master of Fine Arts from Tufts University. She is currently an adjunct professor of visual art at Pennsylvania State University Altoona.

The Lycoming College Digital Media Gallery, located in the Mass Communications Building on Franklin Avenue and Fourth Street, contributes to the city’s arts culture and provides a way for the College to become more involved with the community surrounding it. Students studying film and video arts have the opportunity to interact with visiting artists, as well as learn first-hand about the inner workings of a gallery.

People who wish to view the exhibit after opening day should contact Stephen St. Francis Decky, the gallery curator, at decky@lycoming.edu or Leah Peterson, the gallery director, at peterson@lycoming.edu.