Saint Vincent College galleries planning new winter exhibitions

Two exhibits will open on Jan. 24 in galleries at Saint Vincent College in Unity.

The Saint Vincent Gallery and the Foster and Muriel McCarl Coverlet Gallery will host receptions for the new exhibits from 5 to 7 p.m. that day. Both will offer free admission, beverages and light hors d’oeuvres.

The Saint Vincent Gallery exhibit, “A Hidden Wholeness – the Zen Photography of Thomas Merton,” running through March 8, pairs select black-and-white photographs with excerpts of the writings of the Trappist monk, author and activist. Merton’s photographs are on loan from the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky.

“Rather than passively consume the rapid succession of images we are bombarded by every day, Merton’s photography acts as a visual reminder to slow down, linger over and reflect upon the world as it exists around us,” said Andrew Julo, Saint Vincent Gallery curator.

Paul Pearson, director of the Thomas Merton Center, will discuss Merton’s interest in photography in the final decade of his life, and his use of the phrase “Zen photography” and its relationship to his vision of the world, at 7 p.m. in the Fred M. Rogers Center on campus.

Preserving the past

The McCarl Coverlet Gallery will present “Common Threads: Weavers of Western and Central Pennsylvania,” with more than 20 coverlets made by 14 local weavers, along with information on their lives and the lives of people who purchased their work. The exhibit will continue through June 7.

“We chose to feature local weavers as a celebration of the planned opening this spring of a new education center at Hanna’s Town by our community partner, The Westmoreland County Historical Society,” said curator Lauren Churilla. “We wanted to showcase local weavers as a tribute to the new building and to the continued work our community does in preserving the past and creating a better present and future.”

The Saint Vincent Gallery is located on the third floor of the Robert S. Carey Student Center. Hours are 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, and 1-4 p.m. Fridays-Sundays.

Situated on the first floor of the Rogers Center, the McCarl Gallery is open noon-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, and Saturdays and Sundays by appointment.

Reception guests can take the Saint Vincent Neighborhood Trolley throughout the evening between the two exhibitions. Parking will be available in Lot A, adjacent to the Rogers Center.

Details: Saint Vincent Gallery, 724-805-2107 or gallery.stvincent.edu; McCarl Gallery, 724-805-2188 or mccarlgallery.org

Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley at 724-836-5750, smcmarlin@tribweb.com or via Twitter @shirley_trib.