The HUB-Robeson Center was filled with artists and visitors of all ages Friday evening for a reception for all three of its galleries: the HUB Gallery, the Robeson Gallery and Art Alley.
Ann Shields, the HUB-Robeson Center gallery director, said she wanted to have a walking tour in the HUB that would let people experience a variety of art in one night.
"I like the concept of how in the city on first Fridays, the galleries have walking tours," Shields said. "It’s a nice way for people to come out to meet and greet each other, and it is important to see a variety of art and art forms."
The Robeson Gallery received the most attendance. The largest of the three galleries had 62 pieces of artwork by 55 artists, Bob Placky, State College Area High School art teacher, said.
Placky made a call for artists to be in the show titled Decade 3: State College High School Alumni 1982-2012.
The exhibit features a collection of artwork by State College Area High School graduates from 1982 to 2012. The exhibit, along with Friday night’s reception, is also being made into a documentary film.
"I think it’s great. It’s impressive to see the work that has come out of the school," Mark Pilato, State College High Class of 1987, said. "Bob gave us a place where we felt safe and able to express ourselves. This show is a reflection of that."
The talk of the night was the outdoor sculpture by Eric Stephenson, Class of 1983, titled Vessel 111, which is a first for the HUB-Robeson galleries.
The sculpture, which weighs 1,000 pounds, according to Shields, is a part of Stephenson’s "Vessels" series, which he said focuses on human form and body language.
"It’s an abstract figurative," Stephenson said. "I’m interested in capturing that moment of time, that motion and weight."
Artist Kofi Ofori, whose exhibit is currently featured in Art Alley, said he thought the alumni exhibit has a lot of variety but found the exhibit to be lacking a theme.
But, he did enjoy Julie Tremblay’s exhibit, The Reflection Series, in the HUB gallery, he said.
"It’s very intricate. It looks well-done," Ofori said. "The guy hanging from the ceiling is my favorite. I would put that in my house, even though it would freak me out."
Ofori described the piece as a man in the middle of a freefall.
Tremblay could not be at the reception on Friday, but her exhibit will be open until Dec. 9. Ofori’s exhibit will be on display in Art Alley until Dec. 2 and the Decade 3 exhibit will be on display in the Robeson Gallery until Nov. 18.
As for Shields’ vision for a Friday night walking tour, she said the event was a success.
"I enjoy that they’re all different," she said. "I like the variety, and it was nice to have two large-scale pieces, including one that is placed outside."
