The Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education at Penn State is partnering with the Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County (BAM) to organize an exhibition titled “Making Connections: Art, Engineering and Community.” Students, faculty, and staff are invited to submit original works exploring the intersection of art and engineering. Submissions from the College of Engineering will also be entered into the second annual Leonhard Center Art–Engineering Competition. The exhibition will be curated by Sarah Zappe, Joseph Cusumano, and Benjamin Fehl, who previously curated a related show at the Palmer Museum of Art. Applications are open through October 15, 2026, with the exhibition running from January 1 to February 28, 2027.
This collaboration matters because it highlights the growing recognition of interdisciplinary creativity, bridging two fields often seen as separate. By inviting the Penn State community to reflect on how art and engineering both rely on experimentation, design, and problem-solving, the exhibition fosters dialogue and connection across disciplines. It also provides a platform for hidden creative talents within academic and professional settings, reinforcing the value of arts integration in STEM education.