July 16, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, please contact:

Bobby Moore, Interim Curator

(814) 472-3920

Travis Mearns, Public Relations Coordinator

(724) 238-6015

DOUBLE RETROSPECTIVE TO OPEN AT SAMA-LORETTO

            Loretto – The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Loretto is pleased to announce the opening of its newest exhibition, Things, Thoughts & Imagination: Visual Journeys of Soul Mates. Opening August 7, the exhibition features the stylistically diverse work of Shirley Zampelli Sturtz-Davis and the late William D. Davis. The exhibition challenges viewers to find connections between the artists’ strikingly dissimilar works while tracing their winding path of life, love and art. Things, Thoughts & Imagination will remain on view through November 7.

"Although the styles of these two masterful artists are very different, there are similarities in the complex subject matter and the uncommon attention to detail they share," said Bobby Moore, SAMA Interim Curator. "Shirley and Bill shared a deep love of family, art, music, gardening, and each other. They truly were soul mates. However, as artists, their visual journeys are unique and personal. This exhibition shares with you, the viewer, each of their personal visions - and takes you along for a spectacular ride."

An artist for over 50 years, Sturtz-Davis is a watercolorist dedicated to still lifes and garden views. Her works often depict personally significant objects and exude an overall sense of fantasy, beauty and whimsy. A Lewistown native, Sturtz-Davis received a B.S. in Art Education and a M.A. in Studio Art from the Pennsylvania State University. She later worked as director of the Shippensburg University Fashion Archives and director of the Central Intermediate Unit 10 Arts in Education Program. Stutz-Davis has exhibited her art in numerous solo and invitational shows and is included in several public collections. Since 1993, she has been juried into over 150 international, national, regional or state shows in 17 states. She also is published in seven books or magazines and is a signature member of 10 watercolor societies.

In striking contrast to watercolor still lifes, Davis’ graphite drawings and works in various media present viewers with a confusing but all-consuming reality. Often combining the childish with the gothic and the familiar with the unknown, Davis’ works transport viewers to a dream-like world. Touted for his vivid imagination, knowledge of art history and love of teaching and gardening, Davis drew on a wide range of experiences for artistic inspiration. Davis, a native of Erie, received a B.S. in Art Education from Edinboro University and a M.F.A. in Printmaking from the Pennsylvania State University. He served as associate director of the Museum of Art at Penn State and retired as assistant professor of art from Shippensburg University in 2003. Davis exhibited his work in one-person, group, invitational, regional, state, national and international juried exhibitions and won numerous awards for his art.

The Museum will host an opening reception for Things, Thoughts and Imagination with Sturtz-Davis on Friday, August 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. Cost is $18 per person or $15 for members. Reservations are requested by August 5 and can be made by calling the Museum at (814) 472-3920.

The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Loretto is located on the campus of Saint Francis University. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Museum is open to the public free of charge. For more information, please call the Museum or visit www.sama-art.org.