A new student-curated exhibition titled “Through Different Eyes: Industrial Worlds by Women Artists” will open on January 22 at the Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum and Art Gallery at Penn State University Park. The exhibit, curated by undergraduates Alexis Woodring and Gabriella Heidorn, features works from the EMS Steidle Collection of American Industrial Art, highlighting women artists in 20th-century industrial Pennsylvania. The opening reception runs from 4 to 6 p.m. and is free to the public.
The exhibition matters because it amplifies overlooked narratives of women artists whose work engaged with industrial labor and landscapes, offering a counterpoint to traditional industrial art history. It also showcases the curatorial work of undergraduate students, providing hands-on experience in art historical research and exhibition development. The show will run through December 2026 and includes a connection to living artist Cynthia Cooley, who shared her experiences of documenting mines.