Hidden Treasures 5 Works by Phillips Exeter Academy Employees November 5-December 14, 2019 Hidden Treasures 5 celebrates the creative work of our Phillips Exeter Academy colleagues, friends, and peers, across media and across departments. Work on view includes stained glass, watercolor paintings, beaded bracelets, landscape photography, model ships, and fiber arts, as well as events and programs showcasing music and literary arts. Visit with old friends, make new friends, and help us craft a vibrant community through our shared passions and interests. Collectively, this unique assemblage of artists and art evoke a call to exploration, observation, and expression—limitless in possibilities. By celebrating the sometimes-hidden talents of employee artists and makers, the exhibition illuminates the many facets of a diverse and vibrant community.
Participating artists reflect on exploration, expression, and the role of the arts at Phillips Exeter Academy: Jean Chase Farnum, in the Athletics Department, is drawn to photographing the night sky. Her work, Milky Way along Acadia's Ocean Path Park Loop Road, pictured at the top of page, is both an act of artistic observation and a technical challenge, as more remote night skies are illuminated only by stars. She notes “I am constantly reminded that I have just started this journey and am excited for what may be in store in the future.”
Other pieces in Hidden Treasures 5 reveal how an employee’s artistic expression might be intertwined in their daily lives at Exeter. Fermín Pérez-Andréu, instructor in Modern Languages, shares excerpts from his project Historietas de la Historia, which will eventually serve students of Spanish. This comics-based textbook will teach readers about key historical moments or events not widely known about Hispanic culture. For Pérez-Andréu, “the process to create the book involves historical research, then the making of the comic pages for a given topic, and, finally, the creation of exercises to reaffirm what is learned through the vignettes.”
Image credit: Fermín Pérez-Andréu, Historietas de la Historia, Poster
The landscape photography of Kelly McGahie - a “mindful adventurer” who has worked in Student Activities for twenty years—highlights how engaging in the natural world provides an opportunity to pause and appreciate: “in that moment, there is no other place to be.” Her work, Star Lake, grounds the viewer in the act of noticing the world around us—a shared reminder that intention and mindful moments have the power to harness limitless possibilities of expression.
Acts of intention and mindfulness are wide-spread among the artists of Hidden Treasures. Many of these artists have pursued opportunities to learn and experiment within a reflective art-making community. One creative gathering was established at Exeter through the Be Well Exeter program, a campus-wide wellness initiative that seeks to build community and generate conversations that encourage well-being, mindfulness, healthy behaviors, and creativity. Artist Tad Nishimura, who has worked at the Academy Library for thirty-eight years, established a Beading Interest Group with colleagues. They gather weekly to work on projects, share skills and work through challenges that they encounter in their craft. There will be a special display of works created by several of these artists in this group.
Participating Artists: Dale Atkins, Lamont Gallery Hana Bartosova, Theater and Dance Jennifer Benn, Lamont Gallery John Blackwell, Science Ralph Boragine III, Campus Safety Laura Braciale Schneider, Art Cameron Brickhouse, History Ingrid Bryan, Institutional Advancement Megan Campbell, Classical Languages Mercy Carbonell, English Michele Chapman, Science Jean Chase Farnum, Athletics Carla Collins, Art Cornelius Collins, Exeter Summer Art Department Stacey Durand, Lamont Gallery Susan Fairbanks, Institutional Advancement Jacqueline Flores, Modern Languages Kelly Flynn, English Nico Gallo, Science Melissa Gould, Major Gifts Todd Hearon, English Darlene Houde, Major Gifts / Planned Giving Stephanie Jackman, Exeter Summer Cindy Jerge, Catering Fran Johnson, Science Lauren Josef, Theater and Dance Jake Josef, Theater and Dance Derin Korman, Dorm Affiliate and MLK Committee Joanne Lembo, Student Activities Kate Lennon Walker, Library Kelly McGahie, Student Activities Jim Morris, Dining Services Mary Claire Nemeth, Art Tad Nishimura, Library Bernie Norton, Facilities Management / Grounds Dido Nydick, Interscholastic Athletics Jeff Palleiko, Interscholastic Athletics Nicole Pellaton, Communications Fermín Pérez-Andreu, Modern Languages Rob Richards, Theater and Dance Vi Richter, Information Technology Scott Saltman, Director of Studies Dustin Schuetz, Lamont Gallery Tom Simpson, Religion Mike Story, Facilities Management Marnie Terhune, College Counseling Aimee Towey-Landry, Lamont Gallery Marissa Vitolo, Dorm Affiliate and Exeter Summer Cary Wendell, Theater and Dance Chelsea Woodard, English Gail Wozniak, Dean of Students Office Image credit: John Blackwell, The Whaling Brig Kate Cory, 2015-2018, Wood, paper, pewter, brass, silk and cotton thread, resin.