exhibition archive

Past Exhibitions

2015–2019

2019

  • The Essence of Color: The Art of Victoria Lowe

    September 27–December 30, 2019
    This exhibition explores the abstract paintings by Alabama-based artist Victoria Lowe. Inspired by stargazing and the feeling of sublime connectedness to things beyond the physical environment and conscious comprehension Lowe’s painting include abstract fields activated by color.
    Streak, Victoria Lowe, Mixed Media, Loan from the artist

  • Another Way of Remembering

    August 22–December 30, 2019
    Recent research has shown that the process of observing and making art can improve brain function, and potentially slow down the progression of the disease and overall memory loss. In support of this growing body of research, the Everhart Museum has undertaken a three-year research project with the Wesley Village campus of United Methodist Homes, as a means of examining how the process of making art can transform the effects of memory recall for adults with early-stage Alzheimer’s. This show includes work created by participants in this program, inspired by pieces from the Museum’s galleries and exhibitions.
    Flight, Hunt Slonum, Oil on Canvas, Loan from the artist

  • The Good News

    May 17–September 9, 2019
    The Good Newsis an exhibition of photography by Zak Zavada that documents spontaneous moments of love, beauty, envy, horror, boredom, and joy. The Good News is that everything is not the way it appears to be. The subject of each photo is meant to be interpreted through the visitor’s personal lens.
    Untitled, Zak Zavada, Photograph, Loan from the artist

  • Works on Paper

    May 17–September 9, 2019
    Works on paper make up one of the largest portions of the Everhart’s permanent collection. Establishing the Everhart's basement gallery as the designated Works on Paper Gallery, the first exhibition seeks to showcase the variety of artworks that comprise the Museum’s collection while specifically highlighting works that depict the human form and the human condition. 
    Woman washing her hair, Ruth Gikow, Mixed media, Everhart Museum Collection, 51.23

  • Queer & Here

    May 31–June 17, 2019
    Queer & Here commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, a series of riots that served as major catalyst for the modern-day LGBTQ rights movement in the United States. Pride Month has since taken off as a point of celebration in queer identity and a reminder that the fight for equality continues to this day. As tribute to Pride Month, Queer NEPA and the Everhart Museum will be co-hosting an exhibition showcasing art by ten local LBGTQ+ creatives.

  • OurSELF 

    February 1–April 29, 2019
    OurSELF seeks to create empathy and open dialogue about mental health through a thoughtful, interactive art installation. This exhibition takes the visitor on a journey through a series of sequential experiences that represent the human experience during the span of an hour, a day, a year or a lifetime.

  • HerSELF

    February 1–April 29, 2019
    Amy Kiser found her voice as an artist and a survivor through a series of paintings and lithographic prints. Kiser’s work is reflective of powerful and traumatic life experiences which she conveyed through the use of color washes and line work that create overlapping layers onto her subject matter. The result is often haunting. These emotional depictions, most often of women and animals, were a source of power for Kiser.
    Untitled, Amy Kiser, Oil on canvas, Loan from Valerie Kiser

  • Preserved: Traditions of the Andes

    March 9–April 7, 2019
    The Everhart explores the traditions of ancient Andean culture. Textiles, pottery, and other South American artifacts from the Museum’s collection will be used to discuss the science of preservation and how artifacts like these have found their way to the Everhart. This exhibition will allow you to see how Andean traditions have evolved and how some practices are continued today by living indigenous communities.
    Nazca Bowl, Peru, Ceramic and paint, Everhart Museum Collection, 52.139

2018

  • Hunt Slonem

    September 28–December 31, 2018
    Called a Neo-Expressionist, Hunt Slonem combines Abstract Expressionist techniques with mysticism and is best known for his paintings of tropical birds and bunnies. He uses an abstract platform for his traditional subject matter, developed with gestured brushwork and bold Warholesque repetitive compositions. This exhibition highlights a series of works that were created early in his career and informed by his time spent in Cholula, Mexico while attending the Universidad de las Americas. The vibrant large-scale paintings produced between 1978 – 1986 are a reflection of the time spent exploring ancient Aztec archaeological sites. 
    Butterflies, Hunt Slonem, Oil on Board, 2014, Loan from the artist

  • American Visionary: John F. Kennedy’s Life and Times

    August 22–December 30, 2019
    American Visionary: John F. Kennedy’s Life and Times brings together seventy-seven images culled from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Getty Images, private collections, and the Kennedy family archives. The dramatic scope of Kennedy’s life is evident in these photographs—from his first congressional bid as a decorated war hero in 1946, his fairytale marriage to Jacqueline Bouvier in 1953, his run for the White House in 1960 and role as commander in chief, to the tragedy of his death in Dallas in 1963. These images remain as indelible evidence of John Kennedy’s personal charisma and political accomplishments.

  • Kathleen Elliot 

    May 25–September 3, 2018
    Kathleen Elliot creates intricate plant-inspired plant sculptures, such as imaginary botanicals of flameworked glass. Leaves, fruit, seed pods and flowers are reimagined in new varieties of organic life. Natural forms appear in unexpected colors and in fantastic, new combinations. Through this process, the vocabulary of observed botany becomes a vehicle for personal expression.Exhibition organized by Katharine T. Carter & Associates.
    Under Some Sea Somewhere, Kathleen Elliot, Glass, 2014, Loan from the artist

  • New Frontiers

    May 28–September 3, 2018
    In coordination with the 8th International Conference of Contemporary Cast Iron, the Everhart is pleased to present New Frontiers.
    Considering the conference theme, “Post Industrial Iron: Divergence, Dialog, and New Directions”, this juried exhibition emphasizes the idea of time, travel, movement, place, space, and connections. Featuring work by Kevin Dartt, Naomi Campbell, Frank DePalma, Alex Grabiec, Paul Higham, Stacey Holloway, Rian Kerrane, Lauren Koch, Coral Penelope Lambert, William Prtune, Andre Rubin, Woody Stauffer, and Michael Richard Thron.

  • MAKING FACES

    February 2–May 7, 2018
    MAKING FACES is a retrospective of drawings and paintings by caricature artist John Kascht, whose irreverent work turns the leisurely pastime of people-watching into an Xtreme sport. Over a 30 year career as an illustrator, Kascht has created work for album covers, theater posters, gallery collections, and most major publications. MAKING FACES features portraits of historical and contemporary notables, and includes subjects of interest to political junkies, moviegoers, music lovers, history buffs, artists and even people who hate art shows. In addition to entertainment, the show delivers thought-provoking glimpses into the serious intent behind the funny pictures. Visitors to the show are sure to leave smiling and it’s likely they won’t look at faces – or the mirror – the same way again.

2017

  • Women of the Everhart

    July–December, 2017
    Female artists have been largely ignored by major museums, galleries, and collectors and have often been marginalized by art historians. Less than 5% of the artists featured in world’s most popular art museums are female. You are much more likely to see a woman depicted in an artwork than to see an artwork created by one. All-women group shows, which flourished in the 1980s and 1990s, are on the rise again.

    For an institution of its size, the Everhart Museum has a remarkable number of works by female artists. This exhibition highlights women artists in the fine art collection. Works on paper, textiles, paintings, and sculpture are all featured including works by Elaine de Kooning, Audrey Flack, and Marisol Escobar as well as regional artists Priscilla Longshore Garrett, Hope Horn, and Mary Butler.
    𝘜𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘥, Elaine de Kooning, Oil on Canvas, 1965, Gift of Steve Poleskie, 65.19

  • Linda Mitchell: Truth in Animals

    September–December, 2017
    The Everhart invites viewer’s to enter a dream-like world of animals and mystery, created by artist Linda Mitchell, in the exhibit Truth In Animals. Ethereal in its oddness, Mitchell’s highly textured, brilliantly colored two-dimensional work is made with painted and photographic images, fabric, wood, glass and found objects. These works coalesce into intricate and surreal scenes, reflecting life’s emotional complexity, while her three-dimensional animal figures, made of fabric and Play-Doh, add a delightful whimsy to the viewer’s journey.
    Throughout her work, Mitchell uses animal figures as surrogates for human beings and their emotional lives. Some of these figures speak directly to the child within and the vulnerable, delicate places hidden in everyone’s past. Others, particularly African animals, serve as emissaries from the ever-vanishing natural world.
    Quartet: Pattern Theory, Linda Mitchell, Mixed media on wood panel, 2014-2015, loan from the artist

  • Here I Come to Save the Day!: The Science, Culture & Art of Superheroes

    February 3–July 17, 2017
    Superheroes and supervillains in comics create contemporary narratives through the ancient form of sequential visual storytelling. Comics have played a formative role in youth-focused literature in American culture since the early 20th century. Inspired by the natural world and ancient mythology, these characters channel their unique powers, origin stories, disabilities, vigilantism, and force of purpose through the visual arts and text. Yet these popular creations are not only for children; comics publications and their super characters have influenced contemporary American and global popular culture in myriad ways from social issues, gender, media, narrative, art, technology, design, to psychology and recreation.

    Here I Come to Save the Day!     interprets the Everhart Museum’s science and art collections together with international contemporary art to illustrate the historical evolution and creation of animal-based comics’ heroes and villains that continue to inspire and influence popular culture for all generations.

  • Animal Powers Activate!

    February 2–May 7, 2018
    Complementing the Everhart Museum’s Here I Come to Save the Day! exhibition, Animal Powers Activate! features artworks created by the community that are inspired by their own new and unique animal-based superhero or villain.
    Box Fox, Marcela Tanzini, acrylic on paper, 2017, Loan from the artist

2016

  • Wolves, Magic Mirrors & Spinning Wheels: The Anatomy of Fairy Tales

    July 15–December 31, 2016
    Fairy tales of wonder and magic abound in cultures throughout history and around the world. These stories intertwine identifiable elements—including quests, objects, heroes/heroines, and creatures—into narratives that are rich with symbolism and meaning. Fairy tales are not meant only as entertainment for young children; for millennia they were used to teach unique spiritual and social lessons to people of all ages.

    Wolves, Magic Mirrors & Spinning Wheels: The Anatomy of Fairy Tales weaves the Everhart Museum’s collection of natural science and historic artifacts together with contemporary art to illustrate how fairy and folk tales are archetypal stories that allow for ongoing inspiration and interpretation in popular culture.
    Baby Bear, Pretty, Pretty; Patricia Bellan-Gillen; paint, pencil, mirror, hair, ribbon; 2016; loan from the artist

  • Some Enchanted Land: The paintings of John Willard Raught

    April 23–December 31, 2016
    The Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science & Art has the largest public collection of artworks by John Willard Raught, the first recognized regional landscape artist from northeastern Pennsylvania. In commemoration of Scranton’s 150th, the Everhart Museum will open a special exhibit of paintings by Raught, including new acquisitions as well as artworks from local collectors.
    Born in Dunmore on September 9, 1857 and trained in New York and Paris, Raught grew up surrounded by the paradoxical landscapes of the burgeoning coal industry and the pastoral agricultural communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Raught applied his skill of painting en plein air (outdoors) to bucolic, pastoral settings he found around Scranton, as well as painting portraits of prominent citizens and businessmen in Scranton. Raught witnessed many developments in the region throughout his lifetime, with the rural landscape changing to accommodate the coal mining industry.
    Scranton, Looking North, John Willard Raught (1857–1931), oil on canvas, c. 1927, 2015, Gift of Joseph Jeffrey & Ann Raught Jeffrey, 0.7

  • Between the Covers: Altered Books in Contemporary Art

    February 5–June 6, 2016
    Ever contemplate a future where domestic bookcases, communal libraries, commercial bookstores, and hand-me-down schoolbooks will be things of the past and reading for most will become a digital experience? For the artists in Between the Covers: Altered Books in Contemporary Art, found and mass-produced books are their expressive medium of choice.

    Viewing themselves as collaborators with their source material, they transform them into sculptures and installations of all sizes and shapes. In answer to the looming demise of the printed publication, the exhibition argues that in giving books new life as unique works of art, the artists are opening up fresh possibilities of meaning and relevance. Approaches range from folding, drilling, shredding, carving, stacking, ripping, sewing, pasting, burning, and sanding to collage and assemblage. Between the Covers is guest curated by Sarah Tanguy.
    Masked Language and Masked Information, Don Beube, found books, metal, and marble, 2015, Loan JHB Gallery, New York

  • #Everhart Snaps: Community Art at the Everhart

    February 5–June 6, 2016
    A presence in Northeastern Pennsylvania for over a century, the Everhart Museum has featured in many photos and snapshots by community members throughout the years. For the Everhart Museum’s Winter/Spring 2016 exhibition#EverhartSnaps: Community Art at the Everhart, area residents are invited to share their current and past photo snapshots of family and friends featuring the Everhart Museum building. With this type of project, the Everhart nurtures creativity and showcases artistic excellence in the community.
    Photographs courtesy of Gownley Family

2015

  • Dinovember 2015

    November 7–December 31, 2015
    This family-oriented exhibit features the creative photography of Refe and Susan Tuma, along with images of the Everhart Dinosaurs during last year’s Dinovember romp through Northeastern Pennsylvania. The project began in 2012 when the Tumas devoted the month of November to convincing their children that, while they sleep, their plastic dinosaur figures come to life. Each morning their children woke to the overnight antics of the toy dinosaurs as they created mischief, mayhem, and magic in the Tuma household.

    The concept exploded on the internet in 2013 and in late October 2014 their first book What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night was released by Little & Brown.  “Why do we do this? Because in the age of iPads and Netflix, we don’t want our kids to lose their sense of wonder and imagination. All it takes is some time and energy, creativity, and a few plastic dinosaurs.” 

  • To Your Health!: The Science, Culture, & Art of the Cocktail

    July 10–December 31, 2015
    To Your Health! is a multi-disciplinary exhibit highlighting on the Museum’s botanical, decorative art and ethnographic collection together with historic artifacts from regional lenders focusing on alcohol production and consumption, as well as contemporary art that reflects how alcohol, drinks, drinking, access, and the cocktail reflect today’s popular culture and societal mindset. 

    The cocktail, and other alcoholic drinks, have a rich history and great effect on today’s culture and media, as well as reflect social tension regarding alcoholism, binge drinking, and the historical ups-and-downs of the American relationship with alcohol, including but not limited to Temperance, Prohibition, the Depression, and bootlegging. Alcohol and spirits have been made and used by humans for millennia, for safe drinking fluid and medicine, for religious libation, community conviviality, and as a treacherous escape from the anxieties of life.
    The Drunkards Progress: From the First Glass to the Grave, hand-colored lithograph, 1846, Nathaniel Currier, artist, courtesy of Library of Congress

  • Everhart Botanica: Selections from the Twining Herbarium

    July 10–December 31, 2015
    The Everhart Museum science collections include an important collection of historical plant specimens (herbarium) that was donated by Dr. Isaiah Everhart’s friend, Alfred Twining. The 1700+ plants were collected during the period 1890-1937 and represent a wide range of native plants and introduced species documented throughout the region of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

    The specimen photographs chosen for Everhart Botanica complement the Everhart Museum’s exhibit To Your Health! as the selected plants are all used to either make or flavor alcoholic spirits, liqueurs, cordials, and other drinks, as well as medicinal formulas and applications.
    The Drunkards Progress: From the First Glass to the Grave, hand-colored lithograph, 1846, Nathaniel Currier, artist, courtesy of Library of Congress

  • Baseball Dreams: They Played the Game

    April 10–October 12, 2015
    Baseball is part of the fabric of Northeastern Pennsylvania. For more than 150 years, it has shaped the heritage of the region and provided the major and minor leagues with hundreds of players, coaches, and umpires. 

    Baseball Dreams: They Played the Game provides an overview of NEPA baseball from the 19th century to the present day. Historical images and artifacts combined with contemporary work by artist William Chickillo, engaging visitors with both sport and art perspectives as they consider the aspect of our cultural history. According to William Kashatus, author of Diamonds in the Coalfields, many of these players were the sons (and daughters) of immigrant coal miners and baseball was a form of assimilation to their new land. Some played for only a season or two while others were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

    Exhibition support is provided in part by PNC Bank.
    Photo of Christy Mathewson, July 26, 1916

  • Destinations in Paintings: Where Will You Travel to Next?–The Kasten Collection

    February 6–June 8, 2015
    Destinations in Paintings: The Kasten Collection presents a visual tour of the lands and locations artists frequented and loved in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The 32 works on display are on loan from Alex and Barbara Kasten who assembled this collection of paintings by distinguished artists from England, France, Germany and Austria.

    Among many artists featured in the exhibition will be Frederick Richard Pickersgill, Ernst Bosch, Daniel Ridgway Knight and Léon Joubert. Destinations in Paintings reflected the global change wrought by technology in the mid-19th century. As the availability of railroads made travel quick and affordable, painters began to shift from the large metropolitan cities to the countryside.
    Path Along the River, Louis Aston Knight (1873–1948), oil on canvas, c. 1900, Loan from Alex and Barbara Kasten

  • NEPA Uncovered

    February 6–June 8, 2015
    In complement to the Winter/Spring 2015 exhibit Where Will You Travel Next? Destinations in Paintings, the Everhart Museum partnered with Lackawanna Heritage Valley (LHV) to showcase regional artwork and photography highlighting hidden spots throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. The exhibit, NEPA Uncovered, featured creations by regional artists of all ages, and the juried pieces were on view at both the Everhart Museum and LHV headquarters at 213 South 7th Avenue in Scranton, PA.
    Power Line, Archbald, Earl Lehman, oil on canvas, 2015, loan from the artist