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Barbara Earl Thomas: The Illuminated Body

Arthur Ross Gallery at the University of Pennsylvania

        Happening NowBarbara Earl Thomas: The Illuminated Body Exhibition
Happening NowLightbox: An Illuminated Lecture with Marisa Williamson

Barbara Earl Thomas, A Joyful Noise, 2022, paper cut with hand-printed color. Photo by Spike Mafford / Zocalo Studios, courtesy of Claire Oliver Gallery, New York, and the artist. — Barbara Earl Thomas, *A Joyful Noise*, 2022, paper cut with hand-printed color. Photo by Spike Mafford / Zocalo Studios, courtesy of Claire Oliver Gallery, New York, and the artist.

Barbara Earl Thomas' Transformation Room composed of floor to ceiling handcut paper with light shining through. — Barbara Earl Thomas, *Transformation Room* installation view, 2021, Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA. Photo by Ed Pollard.

Barbara Earl Thomas, Girl and the World, 2022, paper cut with hand-printed color. — Barbara Earl Thomas, *Girl and the World*, 2022, paper cut with hand-printed color. Photo by Spike Mafford / Zocalo Studios, courtesy of Claire Oliver Gallery, New York, and the artist.

Recipient

Grant Year 2023

Grant Amount $240,500

Status Active

Updated March 25, 2024

The first exhibition in Philadelphia of Seattle-based visual artist Barbara Earl Thomas presents works that address racial inequity in portraiture and depict Black subjects in moments of joy and creativity across class lines. The show includes cut-paper portraits, glass vessels, an immersive installation, and a new collaborative sound piece featuring a poem by Thomas and composition by cellist Seth Parker Woods.

The total grant amount represents project funding plus an additional 20% in unrestricted general operating support.

Primary EventsEvents & Exhibitions

On view now

Barbara Earl Thomas: The Illuminated Body Exhibition

Feb 17–May 21, 2024
Arthur Ross Gallery at the University of Pennsylvania
220 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Between Walnut and Spruce Streets · Housed in the Fisher Fine Arts Library building

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Seth Parker Woods presents Difficult Grace. Photo by Bailey Holiver.

Seth Parker Woods Performs Difficult Grace

Apr. 11, 2024
7:00 p.m.
Penn Live Arts Zellerbach Theater
3680 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104

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Supporting Events

Opening The Illuminated Body Opening Reception

Feb. 16, 2024
5:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Arthur Ross Gallery
University of Pennsylvania
220 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Tour Exhibition Tour with Curator Emily Zimmerman

Mar. 6, 2024
12:00 p.m.
Arthur Ross Gallery
University of Pennsylvania
220 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Lecture Black Girl’s Window: Re-framing Contemporary Reparative Artistic Practices | Lecture by Dr. Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw

Mar. 26, 2024
5:00 p.m.
Kleinman Center, Fisher Fine Arts Library, Room 414
University of Pennsylvania
220 S 34th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Lecture Lightbox: An Illuminated Lecture with Marisa Williamson

Apr. 26, 2024
6:00 p.m.
Kleinman Center, Fisher Fine Arts Library, Room 414
University of Pennsylvania
220 S 34th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Recipient

Arthur Ross Gallery at the University of Pennsylvania

Located at the University of Pennsylvania, the Arthur Ross Gallery hosts a variety of programming, including exhibitions, symposiums, film screenings, and live performances. The gallery is a non-collecting institution and presents four exhibitions each year, free and open to the general public.

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