FACES IN GOVERNMENT;

Portrait Artist MARCENE GLOVER

FACETS IN LEADERSHIP

Dr. Robert Ketterer Charter School Students

This project was supported by

the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts,

a state agency, through its regional arts funding partnership,

Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA).

State government funding comes through an annual appropriation

by Pennsylvania’s General Assembly and from

the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

PPA is administered in this region by

the Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance.

FACES IN GOVERNMENT; FACETS IN LEADERSHIP

Paintings about Community Leadership

Portrait Artist Marcene Glover

commissioned by

U.S. Congressional Members to portray

important issues facing our country

This project includes a residency with Glover at the

Dr. Robert Ketterer Charter School

for juvenile offenders

at Adelphi Village, Latrobe Pennsylvania.

These students are inspired to visualize and portray

their future contributions to community

and appreciation of leadership qualities.

To learn more visit

www.artessence.info

Harlan Gallery Seton Hill University Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Reception and Gallery Tour September 25th, 5:00-8:00 pm

Exhibit continues through October 9, 2008

Art is more than just decorative; it is a means of communication inherent to all of us.

The artwork in this exhibit is the expression of students’ obstacles, frustrations, dreams, goals and plans for the future. Richard J. Ketterer students at Adelphi Village juvenile correctional facility worked with Artist Marcene Glover to develop the symbolism and self portraits exhibited here. They considered leadership qualities, as they developed colors, textures, shapes, and content to describe their paths toward their desired place in community.

Also in this exhibit is the Faces in Government collection of congressional portraits by Marcene Glover. She was commissioned by each Representative to portray their likeness and person and political views through the background symbolism. Glover works from live sittings with the Representatives at House Congressional buildings in Washington D.C. She interviews each member as they collaborate with her to determine what images and symbolism or letterism will best represent their outlook.

These portraits are on loan for this exhibit courtesy of PA State and U.S. House Representatives.

In keeping with the Faces in Leadership theme, other portraits by Glover are exhibited here that reference outstanding leadership qualities.

U.S. Congressman John P. Murtha, Pennsylvania

The strength in this symbolism is in it’s simplicity. Congressman Murtha chose to be pictured with only the Vietnam Wall Memorial. This conveys his reverence for soldiers and veterans in this tumultuous time, and throughout his career.

U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson feels Government is a Voice for Change. He chose to represent his journey into public service from his agricultural community in Mississippi, to the chapel where he first heard Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak, to our nation’s Capitol. The farming symbol representing Congressman Thompson’s home district is appropriately positioned near to his heart.

Congressman Meeks believes strong Education and Economy equal Empowerment. On Capitol Hill Representative Meeks works to help underprivileged families build a better future. Pictured here among landmarks of his district, Queens, he is seen being the bridge, opening the way to financial institutions previously blocked.

U.S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley is proud to be pictured with the backdrop of her fabulous district of Las Vegas, Nevada.

U.S. Congressman Jess Jackson Jr., of Illinois, notes changes to our constitution should be made to further insure equal rights to all citizens. We are still growing as a nation toward equality. The evolving flag image expresses this idea.

PA State Representative Ed Wojnaroski expresses that family support enables success.

U.S. Congressman John Lewis, of Georgia.

Civil Rights Leader, Congressman Lewis is depicted with Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Mahatma Gandhi, each of whom were early influences on him. They look down on him as a young boy, as he’s doing his chores. While feeding the chickens, the young John Lewis planned his future as a preacher, and practiced sermons to the chickens. Even to this day, on Capitol Hill, when he speaks before large audiences, he stays grounded by thinking of those chickens – his earliest audience. That’s why the silhouetted chickens at the forefront of the portrait are a meaningful symbol to him. In the background a scene is depicted that portrays Civil Rights marches, and bussing protests. It also refers to current transportation issues that Congressman Lewis works to correct. In the sky radiant light pours over the Congressman to symbolize his gentle strength. Throughout extreme violence brought upon him, he has retained a resolve to endure. This resolve comes from the peaceful teachings of Gondi, of non-violent resistance. The phrase “the Spirit of History” emanating from the light sums up Congressman Lewis’ belief that we all have our place in history. This is bigger than us as individuals; and that spirit of history is a guiding force.

It has been rewarding to work with these students, and see them put forth so much meaning and effort.

Thank you to Dr. Robert Ketterer Charter School, Students, and classroom Art Teacher Kathie Brown, for joining in this residency.

Thank you to Seton Hill University, Gallery Director Carol Brode, National Endowment for the Arts, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance for making this exhibit and residency possible.

Thank you to our Government Leaders who have loaned these portraits for the exhibit, and have supplied the inspiration for the project, and have collaborated with me during the artistic process.