Seton Hill University’s Jodee Harris Gallery will present “Truth of the Matter,” an exhibit featuring the art of Seton Hill alumna and Westmoreland County Community College professor Kathleen Mendus Dlugos, Jan. 18 to Feb. 15 at the Seton Hill Arts Center, 205 W. Otterman St., Greensburg. A poetry reading featuring Seton Hill alumna Marie Pavlicek-Wehrli and an artist discussion with Dlugos will be held on February 2 at 6 p.m. The poetry reading and exhibit are free and open to the public.

Kathleen Mendus Dlugos says of “Truth of the Matter:” “In an interview about his work, artist Anselm Kiefer comments, ‘Art makes a connection between things that are separated.’  In our time of extreme, polarizing ideologies, this insight gives art practice crucial relevance. In preparation for this exhibition I couldn’t help but respond to our divisive times and ask myself  ‘What relevance do I have? What consequences do my own actions have in this place and time?  What does it mean to confront the reality of being a physical, living creature inextricably bound to this land we inhabit?’ The earth produces our food and water that we consume, it sustains us, and in the end we will be returned to it.  This is a starting point that binds all of us, no matter how far apart our views may separate us. Through the work in this exhibition I address this fact, with insights garnered from both current and past poets, writers and thinkers to dig deeper. Mary Louise Knotts asks in her book on political thinker and philosopher Hannah Arendt, ‘What unexamined prejudices keep us from thinking?’  This exhibition explores some of these ideas through a range of methods, materials and repurposed  ‘stuff’ to get to the ‘truth of the matter’ so to speak, raising questions that embrace the frailty, wonder, and ever-changing, imperfect nature of being human.”

Kathleen Mendus Dlugos is an Associate Professor of Art and the Associate of Fine Arts program director at Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, Pa. She received her MFA from Pennsylvania State University (painting, art criticism) and her BFA from Seton Hill University (studio art). She has written and edited art criticism for the New Art Examiner, Art Papers and American Craft journals and has exhibited nationally and internationally including her one-person exhibition, “The Shape of Days” at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art.

In addition to “Truth of the Matter,” an exhibition of Seton Hill student art will be held at the Harlan Gallery at the Seton Hill Arts Center from Jan. 18 to Feb. 15.  A free opening reception will be held on Jan. 18 from 4 to 7 p.m.

The Harris and Harlan galleries are open Monday through Thursday from 1 to 8 p.m.; Friday from 1 to 3 p.m.; Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.; and by appointment. For more information, please contact Galleries Director Carol Brode at 724-830-1071 or brode@setonhill.edu.