Current Exhibitions

In the Cohen Gallery

Surrealism in 2012: Toward the World of the Fifth Sun

January 6-February 19, 2012

Opening Reception: First Friday January 6, 2012 | 5:30-7:30pm

As we celebrate the forthcoming Winter Solstice of Year 2012, beginning of the 14th baktun (cycle) in the Maya long count calendar, and the fifth rebirth of our Sun, scores of surrealist artists and writers from many countries have sent their works for a long-awaited exhibition honoring this theme, in keeping with that movement´s principle of “poetry made by all” and solidarity with the indigenous world. Whatever one thinks of the sound and fury generated by this event in the popular media, there is no doubting the astronomical and mythopoetic genius of the people who created this approaching historical marker. This gathering of creative forces in Eastern Pennsylvania represents the first collective manifestation of the ongoing surrealist movement in that part of the United States. It is a rare opportunity to experience the stimulating atmosphere of authentic surreality apart from the academicism or media distortion so often identified with that word. It is also a good setting, right at the beginning of the storied year, to engage one´s mind with the meaning of a world bound for important, and no doubt startling, changes in the “World of the Fifth Sun” that lies ahead. The show is curated by Joe Jablonski and features over 40 Surrealist artists. Surrealism in 2012 is An exhibition of the international surrealist movement from the 1960s through today.

For more information about this show please click their website: www.surrealismin2012.org

Big Draw

January 6-February 19, 2012

Opening Reception: First Friday, January 6, 5:30-7:30pm

Drawing is a way of thinking - a language communicated through each hand´s unique script and a way of resolving ideas on the page. The works are not preliminary prep work, sketches in a journal or underpinnings for the ‘real work´; they are complete works of art. The featured artists graduated from the MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts, where each pursued a rigorous and unique social political agenda and yet each uses this most basic form of communication toproduce their work.

This show is curated by GoggleWorks´ Studio Artist Suzanne Fellows and will feature work by: Don Decker, Anchorage, AK; Pauline Foss, Denver, CO; Linda Ganus, Easton, PA; Cathy Jones, Kutztown, PA; Maria Driscoll McMahon, Lockwood, NY; John Santoro, Portland, ME; and Denise Karabinus Telang, Dallas, TX.

Featured image by John Santoro.

In the Schmidt Gallery

A.C.O.R.´s 11th Annual Black History Reading School District Art Exhibit (Lift Ev´ry Voice and Sing)

Opening Reception February 12, 2012 11AM-4PM

The Willson History Project

VIST Financial Gallery
on permanent display

The Willson History Project is a retrospective showcasing the 130-year history of Willson Goggles. Historical artifacts and interactive learning activities depict the groundbreaking innovations of a company that led the world in the development of safety products. Explore the industrial history of Reading along with the personal histories of Willson Goggles factory workers. In addition this exhibit connects the history of Willson Goggles to pivotal highlights in national and world history, as well as key moments from arts and pop culture.

The Willson History Project has been supported in part by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities´ We the People initiative on American history.

Also special thanks to Allegro Arts and Custom Framing and Corbis Images.