Programs | Overview
Fe Arts Gallery is committed to innovation, artistic excellence, and social relevance. Founder and artistic director Jill Larson conceives of thematically–based exhibitions inspired by topical issues and events that affect the larger population. In curatorial selections, she seeks provocative work from talented artists, and highlights the vibrant diversity of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s art and culture. “Curating is composing,” writes Larson. “I place certain works beside each other for greater impact. I have the pieces speak to each other, and sometimes they fight and point out their differences. The gallery installation is like a Thanksgiving dinner with all the relatives around: the works are related (by theme) but they all have something different to say.” Larson approaches exhibitions with a desire to challenge. She positions art as a tool to educate, to stimulate thought, and to effect change.
Trained as a visual artist, Larson has also worked extensively with children from high-risk communities. Since founding the gallery in 2003, she has conceived of events that act directly on one of Fe’s central concerns, to enrich under-served communities by partnering with health and human service organizations, including Pennsylvania Blind Services, Habitat for Humanity, Allegheny County’s Mental Health Mental Retardation Center (MH/MR), Society for Suicide Prevention, and America’s Camp—an organization dedicated to children who lost a parent in the 9/11 attacks.
Further in accord with our goal to affect a larger community, Fe has initiated programs combining visual art with other art forms. In our educational program, “Fe Young Writers Art Program,” spearheaded by board member Wendy Osher, middle and high school students learn from professional journalists about viewing and reviewing at. Student writers have blossomed in this endeavor, creating insightful and beautifully written responses, several of which have appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
In 2008, Fe Arts Gallery produced In the Making: 250 Years/250 Artists, a first-of-its-kind visual exhibition of artwork by 250 artists from Southwestern Pennsylvania to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Pittsburgh. To amplify the impact of this historic exhibition, Fe Arts Gallery created a museum-quality, full-color catalogue that documents the exhibition and the participating regional artists. This catalogue serves as an actual catalogue of Pittsburgh art, resource for galleries, museums and collectors to access the extraordinary creativity from the region, sent to 1,000 galleries and art spaces across the country.
To learn more about Fe's programs please visit our Current Exhibitions and Education pages.