FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 11, 2005
CONTACT: Sarah Lingenfelter, Media Relations 585.567.9559

ORTLIP ART GALLERY ANNOUNCES 2005-06 EXHIBITS

HOUGHTON, N.Y. — The Houghton College Ortlip Art Gallery begins its 2005-2006 season with a continuation of the summer’s exhibit entitled “The Covenant” by local artist Bitsy Mayhle.

Mayhle’s exhibit includes works executed in colored pencil as well as clay. Mayhle’s work received the 2005 “Best of Show” award from the Southern Tier Biennial, the 2004 “Athena Award” from the Athena Society, Toledo, Ohio, the 2004 “Toledo Potter’s Guild Award” from the Toledo Area Artist 86^th Annual Exhibition at the Toledo Museum of Art, and the 2004 “Outstanding Graduating Senior” award from the art department at The University of Toledo.

Beginning Sept. 30 and running through the month of October, the Ortlip Art Gallery presents photography by James Via.  This exhibit opens with a gallery talk and reception on Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m.  For the past decade, Via traveled regularly to France to photograph megaliths. These ancient standing stones date from the Neolithic Period. In our modern culture of speed, style and rapid transition, Via’s work invites viewers to contemplate silence, stasis and enigma. 

An exhibit of ceramics by Julia Galloway and Richard Hirsch will be presented from Nov. 4 through the month of December. Galloway and Hirsch are nationally renowned ceramic artists and teachers. Their  “Forms and Vessels” exhibit ranges from pieces that are functional and utilitarian to large scale and sculptural. This exhibit opens with a gallery talk and reception on Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m.

From Jan. 13 to Feb. 15, the oil paintings of Thomas Buechner will be featured. Buechner is a nationally recognized portraitist, painter and author. The first director of The Corning Museum of Glass (1950-1960) and then director of the Brooklyn Museum (1960-1971), Buechner began painting full time in 1986. His paintings have been acquired by several museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian's National Museum of American Art. An extensive traveler, he teaches in Rome, Germany, and in Corning and Elmira, N.Y.  A reception and gallery talk for his exhibit “Retrospective in Oils” will be held on Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m.

The Ortlip Art Gallery presents an exhibit of African art from Feb. 17 to March 20. This exhibit affords a rare opportunity to view works from the extensive collection of connoisseur Charles Hudgins. Featuring a selection of sculptural works and masks from all across sub-Saharan Africa, this exhibit’s opening reception and gallery talk will be held on Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

From March 22 to April 7, the gallery features work by Houghton College students at the annual All Student Juried Art Exhibit. The opening reception and awards ceremony take place on April 1 at 6:30 p.m.

Works by graduating art majors are displayed from April 21 through May 13. A reception is set for April 21 at 6:30 p.m.

All exhibits and receptions are free of charge and open to the public. All receptions are held in the Center for the Arts, Adelmann Atrium and the gallery talks in the Recital Hall. For more information on any exhibit or The Ortlip Art Gallery call 585.567.9393.

The Ortlip Art Gallery, located in the Houghton College Center for the Arts, is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Houghton College is located on Rt. 19 in Allegany County, 65 miles south of Buffalo and Rochester and 10 minutes from Letchworth State Park.