current exhIBITS
Expressions in Fiber & Form & Lineage
April 24 - May 2026
On this page: Information about our two current exhibits, links artist statements & bios, an invitation to Threads of Emotion, Ties that Bind - a closing presentation for Lineage by Erica Hoelscher, and documentation of Lineage’s interactive weaving loom
Expressions in Fiber & Form
in the First-Floor G.B. Stuart Gallery
April 24 - May 30, 2026
Miki Howell | Jóh Ricci | Beth Reese
You don’t want to miss the kaleidoscope of color in our first-floor gallery! This exhibit combines the work of three South Central PA fiber artists- Miki Howell, Jóh Ricci, and Beth Reese.
On the Walls: Miki and Beth both have backgrounds in quilting, but stretch the medium in new and interesting ways. Miki creates detailed landscape tapestries using quilting techniques including chenille. She creates realistic effects like shadows and reflections in water through her careful selection of fabrics for their textures and color. Beth is both an avid quilter and collage artist. This exhibit features a bit of both mediums. When viewed together, it’s clear to see the way quilting has informed her collage work- in her choice of shapes, but also her pursuit of texture through techniques like gelli printing.
In the Round: Jóh creates intricate organic sculptures and vessels using a knotwork technique she’s developed for many years. In addition to the interesting forms she creates, Jóh’s color palette is rich and compelling.
Arranged together in conversation, these works explore color and form while taking the tradition of fiber arts in new directions.
Click here to read more about each of these artists.
LIneage
in the 2nd Floor Gallery
April 24 - May 30, 2026
Join us for a closing presentation on Saturday May 30 at 1PM. Erica Hoelscher will present Threads of Emotion, Ties that Bind which focuses on her sculptural work in the exhibit- Family Specters. Click here to find more information on our upcoming events page.
Andrea Hoelscher | Erica Hoelscher | Kristin Hoelscher-Schacker
Lineage is a three-person exhibition by Kristin Hoelscher-Schacker, Erica Hoelscher, and Andrea Hoelscher. We are artists and sisters originally from Iowa, inspired to collaborate on an artistic exploration of family and memory following the loss of both our parents. Lineage includes a variety of forms, including framed two-dimensional work, textile installation, wall-mounted sculptures incorporating found objects, and fiber-based sculptural pieces.
The resulting body of work, Lineage, was first exhibited in 2023 at Jasper Community Arts in Jasper, Indiana, where it received enthusiastic acclaim. Visitors responded with reflections such as, “It made me feel introspective of my own family roots,” and “It goes to show how we are all connected through the feelings we need to express.” The exhibition explores themes of legacy, heritage, and family history, and the lasting impact these have on personal identity. These themes resonate with a wide range of audiences.
Kristin is a fiber artist based in Minnesota who works in a variety of media and techniques to create two- and three-dimensional pieces that investigate memory and identity. Erica, a Professor of Theatre at Lehigh University, expresses her interdisciplinary artistry through theatrical design and fine art. Andrea, a Professor of Photography, stages and manipulates her images to uncover meaning beneath the surface.
Our family history is deeply rooted in the Midwest, with generations tracing their lineage from immigrant origins to the present day in Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Beyond ourselves and our parents, other ancestral figures also appear in our work. In one piece, Erica used a historical photograph of our grandmother’s family, recreating their garments in lightweight fabrics. These ghostlike and translucent reproductions allow viewers to see a photographic portrait suspended within. Carefully chosen objects accompany the garments and serve as symbols of each individual's life story.
In the photograph Helen, Andrea created a layered portrait of our mother, combining an enigmatic Christmas snapshot with tangled thread to represent her mental health struggles. Kristin created a layered wall hanging that incorporates a crazy quilt passed down through generations. She overlaid this with a translucent embroidered plat map of the county in Minnesota where our great-great-grandmother purchased land in the 1800s.
Family is never a fixed concept. It changes over time and is as complex as the individuals who make it up. This evolving nature provides meaningful insight into where we come from and who we are today. We believe that art is a vital tool for conveying knowledge, values, and personal histories. An arts learning center such as yours provides a powerful platform to inspire conversation about family, memory, and legacy.
Click here to learn more about the Hoelscher sisters.
Weaving Memories
This exhibit includes an interactive loom where visitors can add their memories to the community loom by responding to prompts on strips of paper and weaving them into the loom. We are documenting the loom each time if fills and posting the pictures to record our community’s memories before re-setting the loom so it can be filled again.
