PENNSYLVANIA — The State Museum of Pennsylvania recently revealed the recipients of the esteemed Art of the State 2023 Purchase Awards. The artists who have been honored this year are Kirsten Olson of Carlisle, Cumberland County, and Joseph Opshinsky of Willow Grove, Montgomery County. Their works will be added to the State Museum’s permanent collection, further enriching Pennsylvania’s cultural heritage.
Olson’s piece, titled “Dowry Jars,” draws inspiration from Pennsylvania’s historic dowry chests from the 18th and 19th centuries. The three jars feature exterior designs symbolizing germination, linking them to historical seed preservation and agricultural practices. This modern interpretation of dowry chests and associated traditions forms a bridge between historic customs and contemporary life.
Opshinsky’s “Winter Bouquet” is a cut paper collage that reflects his profound bond with Pennsylvania’s wildflowers and landscapes. He employs a unique cut paper technique to amplify the colors in his work, presenting an intriguing set of challenges concerning color, composition, and representation.
Both artists will participate in an Artists’ Conversation at the museum on Sunday, January 7, starting at 2 PM in the first-floor gallery. This special closing event offers an opportunity for the public to engage with the artists and gain insights into their creative processes.
Art of the State is an annual juried exhibition that has been showcasing Pennsylvania artists’ work at The State Museum since 1968. This body of art mirrors over half a century of creative endeavor in the Keystone State. The exhibition will run through Sunday, January 7, providing an opportunity for art enthusiasts to view the Art of the State before it concludes.
This exhibition is presented by The State Museum in partnership with the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation. The Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation is the nonprofit partner of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, the state agency responsible for collecting, preserving, researching, and interpreting Pennsylvania’s treasures. Through private contributions, the foundation supports the commission in safeguarding and providing access to 23 historic sites and museums, approximately 9 million objects, and more than 250 million archival items.
Located adjacent to the State Capitol in Harrisburg, The State Museum of Pennsylvania is one of 23 historic sites and museums administered by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission as part of the Pennsylvania Trails of History. The State Museum offers extensive collections that interpret Pennsylvania’s fascinating heritage, from the dawn of geologic time and the Native American experience to the Colonial and Revolutionary eras, a pivotal Civil War battleground, and the commonwealth’s vast industrial age. The State Museum illustrates that Pennsylvania’s story is, indeed, America’s story.
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