“The Kauffman and Brindle Art Galleries”

Nestled in the midst of the Huber Art Center are Shippensburg University’s duo on-campus art galleries, The Kauffman Gallery and The Brindle Gallery. The Kauffman and Brindle art galleries feature a great variety of exhibits throughout the course of the year. This variety gives students the opportunity to be exposed to the different mediums of creation and the many themes and thoughts that the artworks may provoke among various viewers. 

The main difference between the two galleries lies within the artists rather than a noticeable difference in art. According to Michael Campbell, the director of the Kauffman and Brindle galleries and professor of art and design, “The Brindle Gallery is reserved for SU students and art studio courses to present their recent works to the public.”

 In comparison to The Brindle Gallery, “The Kauffman Gallery serves the SU community, the region and the community at large with exhibits by students, faculty, regional artists, and national and international visual artists,” Campbell said. 

Art galleries on campus play a large role in the university-wide community but also extend to the local community of Shippensburg as it gives students the chance to display their art to the public and receive feedback so that they learn and grow. 

Upcoming gallery exhibits include “Drawn to Form: Doodles, Drawings and Dimensions” by Toronto based artist Ian Stewart and “Textiles and Drawing” by SU student, Cheyenne Carter. Carter’s exhibit will be on display in The Kauffman Gallery from Aug. 28 through Sept. 23 and Stewart’s will be on display in The Brindle Gallery from Aug. 31 through Sept. 14.

Exhibits will be available for viewing 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or by appointment.

A full schedule for the Kauffman and Brindle galleries can be found online at http://www.ship.edu/Art/Gallery/Galleries/.

“The Thought Lot”

Five years ago, with a little tender loving care, a shared goal among local artists and an abundance of creativity, an industrial warehouse in downtown Shippensburg was repurposed into a contemporary arts center called The Thought Lot. The Thought Lot serves as a sanctuary for local starving artists and art enthusiasts as the venue strives to foster thoughtfulness and individuality among all. 

The Thought Lot supports local art and culture and is open to displaying all forms of art including conventional art approaches and more innovative and edgy styles. However, popular art forms exhibited at The Thought Lot include music, sculpture, wall art and film. 

While The Thought Lot is often on the search for new artists and performers, “Many artists find us,” managing partner of The Thought Lot, Michael Nawa said. “Touring musicians with an open day in their schedule are always looking for a place to play.” 

Offering venue flexibility and a visible passion for bringing the community together through art, The Thought Lot radiates positivity and assurance. “Our motto is supporting dreams and dreamers in our little corner of the world,” Nawa said. 

The Thought Lot also extends its services to the community beyond art with numerous venders on site such as a vintage clothing and vinyl record store, a tattoo parlor and a coffee shop. It also houses a full-service recording studio and offers numerous activities including art and music workshops and classes.

Upcoming events at The Thought Lot include open mic and a potluck dinner on Sept. 21 and a live CD recording by Blues, R&B group Shawan Rice and Friends on Oct. 13. 

The Thought Lot maintains regular hours of operation from 12-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday with extended hours during events.

Search @TheThoughtLot on Facebook and select the events tab for a full schedule of events.

“SHAPE Gallery”

Growth, innovation and community are three of many words that create an accurate foundation of what Shippensburg Arts Programing and Education (SHAPE) is.

SHAPE is a 501c3 non-profit art organization located in downtown Shippensburg that has dedicated its 19-years as a local gallery to serving the local art community and to promoting the arts with passion to ensure that the arts remain alive and thriving locally.

Since SHAPE is a volunteer based organization, it welcomes student and community member volunteers who each help make the success of the gallery possible by assisting with setting up and hosting events among other responsibilities that may present themselves. 

According to SHAPE reception coordinator and board member, Anne Cherry, SHAPE strives to provide local artists a venue to exhibit their forms of art while also providing a social environment for individuals to gather together with others who share a common interest and discuss art.

While SHAPE has the appearance of a formal art gallery, it features more than just visual arts, including music, dance and theatre.

Excluding art that portrays extreme profanity, SHAPE accepts all art submissions during art exhibits open for public submission, regardless of its medium or content. 

“We are open to all types of artists at SHAPE,” Cherry said. “We do not limit or exclude artworks by jurying them.”

To spread art beyond those who already have a knack for it and to encourage expression through art, SHAPE also offers art classes for all age groups throughout the year. This includes paint-along classes for adults and workshops for children. 

Upcoming events at SHAPE include a Fall Pumpkin Paint Along on Aug. 31 and SHAPE’s 15th annual Abstract, Surreal and Non-Objective Art Exhibit on Sept. 1.

SHAPE Gallery’s hours of operation are 5-8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. 

Search @Shapeart on Facebook and select the events tab for a full schedule of events.  

“Luhrs Center”

Seating nearly 1,500 people and welcoming more than 20 performers a year, a large number of individuals come and go through Shippensburg University’s H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center throughout the course of a concert season. From musicals to comedians and performances by legendary bands, each act is unique in engaging with the audience by bringing the Luhrs stage to life in  its own way.

The Luhrs center mixes convenience with quality entertainment for SU students by bringing world-renowned performers to campus and eliminating the need to get in a car and travel elsewhere to attend a concert. 

“The Center offers cultural programming to enrich the quality of life for students and others throughout the region, as well as be an integral part of the university’s on-going camps and conferences program and its outreach programs,” said Mark Bodenhorn, Luhrs’ director of marketing and administrative services.

Patron satisfaction is a top priority for the Luhrs Center, so affordability of tickets is taken into consideration. “The ticket prices are tiered, so that students and other patrons have a variety of ticket price options,” Bodenhorn said. 

With budget conscious college students in mind, SU students who purchase their ticket in-person at the Luhrs Center box office, receive a $5 discount upon showing their valid SU ID.”

The Luhrs Center’s 2017-18 concert season is already off to a prosperous start as both “Jersey Boys” and “Chicago” have reached a sold out status after only one month on sale. Other anticipated acts coming to Luhrs this season will include Josh Turner on Oct. 26, “Cheap Trick” on Nov. 11 and Jay Leno on Mar. 24. 

Tickets for all Luhrs events are currently for sale online and in the box office. H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center maintains regular hours of operation from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with extended hours during events.

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