Annual Lear awards highlight Abington artists for excellence

ABINGTON, Pa. — The 2025 Bertha Lear Student Art Exhibition featured sculpture, painting, drawing, ceramics, photography, printmaking and new media work completed in the 2024-25 academic year by students enrolled in studio art courses at Penn State Abington. 

The exhibition was made possible by the support of Robert and Marilyn Lear in remembrance of Robert’s mother, Bertha, according to H. John Thompson, teaching professor of art and chair of the art program.  

“We're grateful to donors such as Bob and Marilyn Lear and Stanley and Lois Singer who support the creative and professional growth of our students who are pursuing art in one form or another,” he said. 

Thompson said it’s the event art faculty anticipate the most to honor their students. 

“We come together to see and reflect upon all the great work our students have done over the course of the year. The awards are incredibly meaningful to our students as they not only provide affirmation of a job well done, but also serve as markers of excellence that students can refer to when pursuing opportunities such as professional exhibitions, graduate studies, and employment in creative fields and industries,” he said.

Scroll through both image galleries to view the 2025 award winners. 

About Penn State Abington 

Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With more than 3,100 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 26 majors, accelerated master's degrees, undergraduate research, the Schreyer Honors College, NCAA Division III athletics and more.