The Shippensburg Arts Programming & Education (SHAPE) Gallery is reopening its doors to the public Sept. 25 for the first time since the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic began.
The gallery has remained closed for seven months while the pandemic shut down local businesses. This was a big hit financially not only to the gallery, but to many local businesses in Shippensburg.
Throughout the pandemic, SHAPE has been collecting donations using the hashtag #FloorforSHAPE to refurbish tile work that hosted close to 100 different art exhibits since 1999. In a press release, SHAPE gallery officials said that the gallery has recently suffered water damages, which forced SHAPE to remain closed until damages were fixed. Since SHAPE Gallery is considered a 501c3 non-profit organization, it runs strictly on donations and patronships.
SHAPE Gallery got its start from a few local businesses, university faculty members and local artists coming together since they thought a promotion of the arts in Shippensburg was necessary. The gallery hosts numerous exhibits, art classes, house tours and art events every year including the Solstice Arts Festival.
On Sept. 25, SHAPE Gallery will be releasing its first exhibit titled, “Perspective: The Journey of Our Senses.”
The artwork presented in this exhibit will consist of different ways to portray one or several of our senses, touch, taste, sight, hearing and smell. The artwork will also be presented in a 2D or 3D fashion with different types of mediums.
The exhibit will run from Sept. 25 to Oct. 16 at the SHAPE Gallery located at 19 E. King St. The re-opening starts at 6 p.m. and goes until 8 p.m.
All Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines will be strictly enforced including mask wearing, attendance inside the gallery and social distancing.
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