CURRENT AND PAST EXHIBITS

"Out of Many"

Show runs October 12th through November 20th, 2020

Starting with the premise that “we all come from somewhere”, the exhibition “Out of Many -- Stories of Migration” features the faces and experiences of multiple generations of migrants and immigrants to America and these people’s descendants. Photographs and essays from the project now hang at the McBride Memorial Library in Berwick and at the Bloomsburg Public Library and The Exchange in Bloomsburg.

Curated by Brian Cohen and Laura Domencic, “Out of Many” highlights the photography of Pittsburgh-based photographers Brian Cohen, Scott Goldsmith, Nate Guidry, Lynn Johnson and Annie O’Neill as they explore the central role that immigration and migration have played in the past and continue to play in the here and now in the formation of our national, regional, and local identities and cultures. “Out of Many” also examines the role of immigration and migration in sustaining our economy. Through their work, the photographers aim to create a space for civil, constructive conversation about what it means to belong to a community and about the development of cultural heritages in our world today.

With its originawork, “Out of Many” began by using Pittsburgh as a lens through which to examine the broader American immigration and migration experience. A book of the photography, designed by Brett Yasko and featuring essays by Pittsburgh public radio journalists Erika Beras and Reid Frazier, came out in 2018.

The McBride Memorial Library, at 500 North Market Street in Berwick, has regular hours on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; on Wednesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit McBrideLibrary.org or Facebook.com/McBrideLibrary or call 570-752-2241.

The Bloomsburg Public Library, at 225 Market Street, welcomes "gallery visitors" on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit BloomsburgPL.org or Facebook.com/BloomLib or call 570-784-0883.

The Exchange Gallery, at 24 East Main Street in Bloomsburg, has regular hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays; for the hours on Tuesdays through Thursdays, which vary, visit ExchangeArts.org/calendar. For more information, call 570-317-2596.

The images below show the exhibition's photographs in their current venues.

"Doppelganger"

Show runs September 8th through October 9th, 2020

The dictionary defines "doppelganger" thus:

dop·pel·gäng·er -- /ˈdäpəlˌɡaNGər/, noun -- an apparition or double of a living person

We asked artists to interpret the theme in any way that they wanted, in any medium. Fourteen artists responded; they live in five central-Pennsylvania counties and in New York and Maryland, and they work in paint, ink, clay, digital technology, collage, embroidery, and mixed media, as well as words (this show has an entry from a poet, who submitted her book).

Click here to watch a video slideshow of the exhibition, with music by Brooks Williams (BrooksWilliams.com) -- the song "Weary of the Moon" from his 2004 album Live Solo.

"Nest 3"

Celebrating The Exchange's tenth anniversary, we brought back this popular open-call show theme from the past -- in fact, the theme of our very first open-call show in 2013. As always, work just needed to fit through the front door, and we welcomed 2-D and 3-D media, with the interpretation of the theme up to each artist to determine; as long as work fit through the front door, we've displayed it.

For a video slideshow of all of the work in the exhibition, click here. Music for the video comes from our friend JP Williams, who has performed at the Listening Room, at our Blues Festivals, and at many other venues throughout our region.

"Cover of a Cover"

Celebrating The Exchange's tenth anniversary, we have brought back one of the most popular open-call shows from the past: We asked artists to show us how they re-imagine a record album cover. Whether "Dark Side of the Moon" or Joni Mitchell's "Blue" or the Berlin Philharmonic's Verdi "Requiem" or any other album at all, the artists could use any medium. LP sleeves measure 12" x 12", but we did not want that to limit their creativity: As always, work just needed to fit through the front door, and we welcomed 2-D and 3-D media.

For the video of the works in the show, complete with music by the Uptown Music Collective's 3rd Street Blues Band, click here.

"Factory in Bloom"

A dozen artists from the Pajama Factory in Williamsport have work at the Exchange Gallery in Bloomsburg, celebrating The Exchange's 10th anniversary and the ongoing collaborations among artists throughout our region.

The Pajama Factory has been an incubator for creatives representing a variety of disciplines and aesthetic traditions for over 13 years. One of the most exciting things about this process has been its ability to regenerate itself creatively.

The Pajama Factory’s relationship with The Exchange Gallery has been longstanding, including two exchange exhibitions, one at the Factory Works Gallery and another at The Stairwell Gallery at The Exchange’s former home in The Moose Exchange. Additionally, long-time tenants of The Pajama Factory including Chad Andrews and Brian Spies have played important roles with The Exchange, Chad as a board member and Brian as the original Art Cart facilitator.

When The Exchange’s executive director, Oren Helbok, approached Brian about curating this exhibition, Brian's first instinct was to explore this function of the Pajama Factory as a regenerating creative incubator by focusing on tenants who either might not have previously been included in shows at the Exchange or are relatively recent additions to the Pajama Factory community. The artists chosen represent formal traditions as varied as watercolors and printmaking, assemblage and encaustics. They all embody the spirit of a Community In Bloom!

Exhibiting artists include Dave Becker, Lynne Becker, Tommy Grieco, Jordan DeArment, Sarah Foster, Rowan Leigh Shaffer, Cindy McBeth-Collins, Concetta Owens, Corey Breneisen, Paul Clacher, Todd Rice, Ashlee Caputo, and Sandy Ludwig.

If we can have a public reception, we'll let you know!

Click here for a video of all of the pieces in the show.

"Bridging the Physical Distancing"

Reprising the postcard show "Let Me Introduce Myself" that the Exchange Gallery held in 2016, we asked artists to submit work for this on-line-only exhibition.

Artists made postcards and sent them to other artists -- anyone who made and sent one also received one! We asked each artist to photograph their piece, front and back, and e-mail the images to us. Thanks to all of you for helping to bridge the distancing!

Click here to scroll through all of the entries.

Frank Frazetta and "Fantasy" Show

Show runs February 22nd through April 3rd, 2020

Reception 6-8 p.m., Saturday, February 22nd

Alongside 2-D and 3-D work by the well-known fantasy and sci-fi artist Frank Frazetta, we invited everyone in our community to submit work on the theme of "fantasy" -- all media accepted from all artists, every interpretation welcomed. Twenty-eight artists brought work, including more than a dozen who have never shown here before.

Moose Exchange Tenants and Stairwell Gallery Committee Members Show

Show runs January 11th, 2020, through February 21st, 2020

Reception 6-8 p.m., Saturday, January 11th, 2020

Celebrating The Exchange's tenth anniversary, we have invited the people who made our old building so lively and who made the Gallery happen at the very beginning (2010-2014).

"Cash & Carry VI"

November 11th, 2019, through January 3rd, 2020

Reception Friday, November 29th, 5-9 p.m.; NO SALES until 6 p.m. at the reception

Once again, we gave away the panels for you to make artwork on; click here for more details.

"Over the Top"

September 29th through November 8th, 2019

Humorous . . . ridiculous . . . or otherwise over the top.

Reception 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, October 5th

Chet Davis -- "Reset"

August 9th through September 27th, 2019

One-person show by the well-known Northumberland County artist.

Reception 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, August 24th

See photos of the work as hung here.

Exchange Gallery Committee Invitational

July 8th through August 16th, 2019

For the Invitational, each Gallery committee member invited an artist or artists who have never shown here before. We have a dozen artists in the show, and work includes paintings, drawings, photographs, fiber art, prints, and mixed media pieces.

Reception 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, July 13th

"Mistakes"

June 1st through July 5th, 2019

Lisa Herrald-Doerschler, who runs the Ideas Studio for Children, an independent, Reggio-inspired preschool here in Bloomsburg, brought us the idea for this show, saying this: "Mistakes open new doors. We can find endless examples of famous historical figures in science, art, education, engineering, and so on who have used the learning process from a mistake to impact the world for the better. If we as a community share our artistic expressions of mistakes, whether the art is a mistake or about mistakes, this will empower us to open our minds to go deeper in our learning, our reflections, our skills, and our self-awareness."

We left it up to the artists to define "mistakes" in their work, and more than 30 people -- including eight of Lisa's 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old students -- responded to the call, with paintings, drawing, photographs, sculpture, pottery, and more.

Reception 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, June 1st

"Wearable Art II"

April 22nd through May 31st, 2019

Give us your baubles, your rags, your flamboyant costumes yearning to breathe free. Anything goes, from an earring to a ballgown! Entries include work from the Danville Arts Council's "Anything But Clothes" show this past winter and Bloomsburg University's "PADME XV" this spring as well as from other community artists.

Reception 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, April 27th (same day as Renaissance Jamboree)

"Art on the Spectrum": work by artists with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

March 25th through April 19th, 2019

In conjunction with Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble's production of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time", the Exchange Gallery presents work by regional artists on the Autism spectrum. Thank you to BTE's Elizabeth Dowd and Jerry Stropnicky (emeritus) and our own Art Cart facilitator Anne Cosper for inspiring and organizing the show.

Thank you too to BTE's technical director, Earl Martz, and shop assistant, Paris Tennenhouse, who built the framework for the interactive piece that features artwork that Anne collected during Art Cart visits to Camp Emerge and ADERS, Inc.; thank you to BTE for the donations of Earl's and Paris's time and the materials. And thank you to Marianne Tillotson, art director at Camp Emerge.

More than a dozen artists have work in the show, with drawings, paintings, collages, photographs, and a sculpture -- a broad spectrum of work from a broad spectrum of people.

Reception Saturday, March 30th, 6-8 p.m.

We will have the Gallery open for an hour and a half before every BTE performance during the run of "Curious Incident", as well as after every school matinee. Visit BTE.org for times and ticket info.

"Color of the Year"

February 19th through March 22nd, 2019

Every December, Pantone announces their Color of the Year for the following year. For 2019, they chose "Living Coral": Now our artists knew what color to make work in and inspired by!

(To see the color on Pantone's Web site, click here.)

Pantone says "Vibrant, yet mellow PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment.

"In reaction to the onslaught of digital technology and social media increasingly embedding into daily life, we are seeking authentic and immersive experiences that enable connection and intimacy. Sociable and spirited, the engaging nature of PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral welcomes and encourages lighthearted activity.

"Symbolizing our innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits, PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral embodies our desire for playful expression. Representing the fusion of modern life, PANTONE Living Coral is a nurturing color that appears in our natural surroundings and at the same time, displays a lively presence within social media."

Reception Saturday, March 2nd, 5-9 p.m., during the 6th annual Destination Blues Music Festival, with live music in the Gallery by Stacia Abernatha and Sean Farley

"The Sound (and Sight) of Music"

January 7th through February 15th, 2019

Does your favorite song bring images to your mind? We asked regional artists this question, and they made work based on their answers: One artist did an embroidery piece inspired by a Modest Mouse song; another made two paintings inspired by two other Modest Mouse songs. Other inspirations include Johnny Cash, Small Faces (remember "Itchycoo Park" from 1967?), David Bowie (again, two artists), and the "Hokey Pokey" -- and of course many more: paintings, photographs, drawings, collage and other mixed-media pieces, digital imagery, glass, and fiber, including a five-foot-by-eight-foot quilt covered with hobo signs. Artists include some of "the usual suspects" (people whose work you have enjoyed here for years) and also some who have never shown here before -- among them, at least two children who have never shown anywhere before.

Reception Saturday, February 9th, 6-8 p.m.

"Cash & Carry V"

November 12th, 2018, through January 4th, 2019

Once again we gave away panels -- more than 400 this year, and in three sizes: 4" x 6", 7" x 9", and 10" x 12" (and even a few more odd-sized ones, leftover as we cut up the four-foot-by-eight-foot sheets). And we have gotten back a fabulous array of artwork on them: paintings, drawings, photographs, collages, sculptures, crocheted pieces, and mixed-media pieces using clay, beads, fabric, melted crayons, model-railroad ground covering, and more. The artists range from Bloomsburg University art professors to children not yet in grade school. (Middle- and high-school students from Bloomsburg and Central Columbia have brought in some particularly beautiful pieces this year.) Everything sells for between $10 and $50, depending on size, with most at $25 -- perfect for holiday gifts.

All artists receive 80% of every sale, with the rest going to the Gallery to help keep our lights on and to bring the arts to communities throughout our region all year long -- so your purchase benefits the entire arts community here in the central Susquehanna Valley.

Make the Exchange Gallery a stop on your trip downtown -- when you come to TreeFest at the Caldwell Consistory on the Square, or to the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble production of "Wizard of Oz" around the corner on Center Street, or to do some other holiday shopping at the Artspace Gallery across the street from BTE. We look forward to seeing you here!

Reception Saturday, November 24th, 6-8 p.m. Artspace has their own holiday-show reception at the same time as ours.

Glen Klein + Experimental Video shows

September 29th through November 9th, 2018

Born and raised in Danville, Glen Klein had little cultural experience as a child, but he knew he enjoyed school the most in art class. His early influences in art were Saturday morning television cartoons, comic strips in newspapers, and Mad magazine. He was especially drawn to the style and humor of Don Martin of Mad and spent many hours reproducing those drawings. Glen decided in his early teens that he would like to become a cartoonist. When it came time to choose a college and a major, the closest thing that college had to offer was commercial art. This field suited Glen and his style of art, and when he graduated he pursued a career as a graphic artist, eventually opening his own print shop, in 1986.

Glen’s artwork is heavily influenced by experience in the graphic art field and his sense of humor. Digital photography and photographic software are his tools for creating his pieces. He says, “I’m just having fun with the equipment I use everyday at work.”

This exhibition runs alongside the Experimental Video show, which has work by almost 80 artists from 24 countries on at least five continents. For the complete list of cities and countries, click here. After a screening on September 29th of many of the videos chosen by our jurors (from among more than 360 submitted), they will loop on a monitor in the Gallery for the length of the show.

Reception Saturday, October 6th, 6-8 p.m., simultaneous with Artspace Gallery's reception for "Organika", work by Bob Brown and Jeff Krankoskie.

"Then and Now"

August 13th through September 28th, 2018

This exhibition explores the changes that happen as time moves forward. We encouraged artists to submit work that explores how their community, artwork, life, and various other circumstances have changed over time, with possibilities of side-by-side examples or single works that communicate the Then and the Now. All media accepted.

Reception Saturday, August 25th, 6-8 p.m., after ArtFest and simultaneous with Artspace Gallery's reception for "I Can't Get It Out Of My Head", work by Deb & Dave Stabley and Becky Marks

"The Future"

July 2nd through August 10th, 2018

For this exhibition, the Exchange Gallery in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, asked artists to look ahead: What does "the future" mean to them? They looked narrowly and broadly and worked in many media, and our professional juror, Leah Bedrosian Peterson, chose 26 pieces by 18 artists from across Pennsylvania (and one from New York) for the show. She also chose prizewinners: Catie Dillon of Cranberry Township (Butler County) won $200 for her three paintings; Morgen Christie of Downingtown won $100 for her two videos; and Andre Rubin of Philadelphia won $50 for his collage "Doomsday Machine". At the reception, Bloomsburg University sculpture professor (and Exchange Gallery committee member) Ron Lambert got the "People's Choice" award, voted on by the attendees, for his three mixed-media pieces. For Leah's bio, click here.

Reception Saturday, July 14th, 6-8 p.m.

North Mountain Art League 25th anniversary show

May 21st through June 29th, 2018

Since 1992, the North Mountain Art League has provided visual artists from throughout our region with opportunities to meet each other, share workshops, and exhibit their work together. As part of their 25th anniversary celebration, the Art League hold this group show at the Exchange Gallery, where many of their members have shown before but never as a group.

Reception Saturday, June 2nd, 6-8 p.m.

"Wearable Art"

April 9th through May 18th, 2018

The Exchange Gallery called artists and imaginative sew-ers of all ages and levels of experience to design and make a piece of wearable art -- any item from a pin to a full-sized ensemble. They used fabric, yarn, applique, paper, cardboard, and all sorts of recycled stuff. The item can be WORN on the body, somehow or other. Artists for this show include many Bloomsburg University students (who made pieces for the PADME show -- Personal Adornment Day and Make-up Extravaganza) as well as one from Austria -- our first international entry!

As always, many artists have their work for sale, many of the pieces for under $100 -- so you can very affordably support regional artists and bring beauty to your house (or give the gift of art). The Exchange gets 20% of every sale, too, so your purchase supports what we do.

The reception took place on Saturday, April 28th, 6-8 p.m.

"Typography"

February 26th through April 6th, 2018

We encouraged artists of any age, working in any medium, to submit artwork that involves typography -- "the arrangement and appearance of lettering". Their entries include posters, text, inspirational quotes, jewelry, wearable buttons, shadow boxes, and more, and the artists come from seven Pennsylvania counties plus New Jersey, New York City, and, in a first for us California!

As always, the artists have their work for sale, most of the pieces for under $100 -- so you can very affordably support regional artists and bring beauty to your house (or give the gift of art). The Exchange gets 20% of every sale, too, so your purchase supports what we do.

The reception took place on Saturday, March 3rd, 6-8 p.m.

"The Blues Show"

January 22nd through February 23rd, 2018

For the third year, we asked artists "What does 'blue' mean to you?" They made work that shows it -- the color blue, Blues music, feeling blue, blue skies, anything blue. The show includes work by 50 artists from nine counties in central Pennsylvania; their ages range from 3 to somewhere north of 70, and they brought paintings, drawings, and photographs in two dimensions; ceramics, glass, jewelry, woodcarvings, a quilt, and other mixed media in three dimensions. At least four of the adults have never shown here before, so we continue to attract new artists, show after show -- very exciting for us.

The reception took place on Friday, February 16th, 5-9 p.m., in conjunction with the fifth annual Destination Blues Music Festival -- and we had live Blues music right here in the Gallery with Kimbo & Bryan, 5-8 p.m.

"Cash & Carry IV"

November 13th, 2017 through January 5th, 2018

The fourth annual fundraiser show began with more than 520 pieces by 250 artists from more than 30 municipalities in at least a dozen Pennsylvania counties, plus New York and Vermont!

Once again we gave away panels, every one roughly 7" x 9": Artists painted directly onto the panel, glued on a photo, wrapped it in knitting, built a sculpture, etc. We gave away about 400 panels -- and got even more pieces back!

We hung everything that came in by the initial deadline, Saturday the 11th of November, for the show's reception, which took place the night of Bloomsburg's Santa parade on Friday the 24th. Anything that comes in during the show will go right up on the wall. Every piece sells for $25, with the artist receiving $20 and the Gallery retaining $5 to help keep the lights on. Bring your friends and family to buy your work, supporting you and us!

The reception, which took place during the "Bloomsburg Lights Up the Night" parade, featured a visit from the Half-Ton Brass Quartet, led by TJ Kurczewski, and later a vocal quartet that TJ also leads.

For the first time this year, we took a portion of the show up to Berwick for a pop-up exhibition on the day of their Winterfest, Saturday the 2nd of December; for more details about that event, click here.

"Susquehanna River Arts"

October 2nd-November 10th, 2017

The SRA show features 34 pieces by ten artists from our region: Sara Baker, Annie Barnhardt, Robert Brown, Gail Fox, Joan Gallup Grimord, Peter Grimord, Glen Klein, Sara Mika, Larry Ney II, and William Whitmoyer.

"Grounded in the belief that art shapes both the spirit and vitality of a community, the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau created Susquehanna River Arts. By showcasing the works of our local artists, the Susquehanna River Arts project not only highlights the cultural assets of our region, but fosters an appreciation of both our communities and our heritage."

Reception: Saturday, the 14th of October, 6-8 p.m. (simultaneous with Artspace Gallery's reception for their three-artist show with work by Annie, Jef Mcgreevy, and Mike Silver).

"Honoring Work: The Labor Day Show"

August 21st-September 29th, 2017

Nineteen artists show us what "honest labor" means in 38 pieces, 2-D and 3-D, to honor the 124th Labor Day. The artists come from seven communities in six central=Pennsylvania counties; they made their artwork around the world and around the corner.

Reception: Saturday, August 26th, 6-8 p.m., following ArtFest and simultaneous with Artspace's reception for "Wings and Things", work by Artspace members Becky Marks and April Wengren.

"The Melting Pot"

July 13th-August 20th, 2017

The first juried show at The Exchange, "The Melting Pot" drew work by 30 artists, eleven of whom had never shown here before. Juror Richard Rinehart of Bucknell University's Samek Art Museum chose three pieces for prizes -- Laura Micewski's "Blended Identity", Bob McCormick's "Golgotha in Slate/Anthracite Fields", and Karen Cotter's "American Pasttimes" -- and the guests at the reception gave a "People's Choice" award to Bob's painting.

Reception: Saturday, July 15th, 6-8 p.m., simultaneous with Artspace's reception for "Bridges", work by Artspace members and invited artists.

"The Art Cart Show"

May 30th-July 7th, 2017

Artwork made by people of all ages during the Art Cart’s visits to venues throughout Columbia and Montour Counties since the summer of 2015, along with photos of participants.
Reception: Saturday, June 3rd, 6-8 p.m., simultaneous with Artspace's reception for "4Mediums", work by Annie Barnhardt, Sandy Lentz, Joan Lentzner, and Denise Richards.

"Eco-Art"

April 24th-May 26th, 2017

Works in many media by artists of all ages and levels of experience exploring the theme "the environment". Also included in this exhibition, work by Bloomsburg University students made in the on-campus Eco-Art competition. The reception, on May 6th, features music by Mime Tribes.

Healing

March 2nd - April 21st, 2017

Works in many media by artists of all ages and levels of experience exploring the theme “Healing”, shown concurrently with the exhibition “Healing Through the Arts” from The Women’s Center, Inc., of Bloomsburg. The reception, on March 4th, featured music by Harry Pang and Kelli Bertenshaw from the Bloomsburg Preparatory School of Music.

Following the reception, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble presented the trunk show “Dear Diary — 4 actors performing the best of your childhood writing”.

2nd annual Blues Show
January 19th through February 24th, 2017

Whether inspired by the Blues or the color blue, it fit in this open-call show. During the reception on Friday, February 17th, 5-9 p.m. (simultaneous with the opening night of the 4th annual Destination Blues Music Festival), Mime Tribes played in the Gallery.

Cash & Carry

November 15th, 2016 - January 6th, 2017

The third annual "Cash & Carry" show had 400+ pieces by more than 150 artists, every one available for $25: A unique article of art makes an excellent present for any occasion.