SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — Penn State Schuylkill announced the opening of its 2025–26 Art Space exhibition season with “In Regard,” a powerful and introspective collection by renowned Central Pennsylvania artist and art educator Chet Davis. The exhibition will be on display from Aug. 25 through Oct. 14 in Art Space’s new location — Classroom Building, Room 100 — and is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m.
To celebrate the launch of the exhibition and the new gallery location, the campus will host a “Meet the Artist” reception on Thursday, Aug. 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. Community members, students, faculty, and art enthusiasts are invited to attend, view the work, and connect with Davis in person.
Davis, a Penn State Schuylkill alumnus, has spent more than 50 years as an artist, art educator, and advocate. He began his academic journey at Penn State Schuylkill in 1969 as a commuting student from Ashland. Davis said he credits the campus with playing a pivotal role in his personal and academic development, helping him transform from a "naive, hesitant 17-year-old" into a confident and determined art education major at University Park.
His exhibition, “In Regard,” offers expressive figurative drawings and paintings that capture moments of intense human emotion and connection. Reflecting on his work, Davis said he draws inspiration from James Hillman’s definition of art as “the visual manifestation of the soul’s desperate concerns.” He views his art as a deeply personal process — one that elevates universal human experiences. His figures often embody symbolic, gestural “meanings of the moment,” frozen in decisive emotional instances that reflect the shared realities of life.
With more than 30 solo exhibitions and a long history of participation in national juried and curated shows, Davis brings both technical mastery and emotional depth to the Art Space gallery. His work invites viewers to not only observe but to reflect on their own experiences through the lens of human expression and interaction.
Don’t miss the chance to experience the inaugural show of the 2025–26 season in Art Space’s newly renovated home. Whether you're a long-time supporter of the arts or a first-time visitor, “In Regard” promises to leave a lasting impression.