The Henry Gallery strives to be a cultural asset for Penn State Great Valley and the local community. The Henry Gallery’s exhibition program focuses on group shows of local and regional arts and artists and the community organizations that support and encourage their work.
The gallery opened in 2010 and is named for Joseph and Marilyn Henry who made a major gift to expand its facilities, art acquisitions, and programs in January 2013.
The Henry Art Gallery is located on the second floor of the Penn State Great Valley Conference Center and is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Henry Art Gallery is closed on weekends and University holidays. Additionally, the Conference Center is occasionally rented out to private clients, which may result in temporary closures of the building to the public. To confirm gallery accessibility during your planned visit, please contact [email protected] or 610-648-3209.
Current Exhibit: Ways of Seeing, Ways of Being
On display Oct. 20 - Dec. 18
Presented by Penn State Great Valley and We Are the Seeds
Photo taken by Luca Agoyo (Ohkay Owingeh/Narragansett) included in a multigenerational photography exhibit that is part of "Ways of Seeing, Ways of Being" art exhibit
"Ways of Seeing, Ways of Being" is a multidisciplinary exhibition featuring historical ephemera, wearable arts, and contemporary photography. This Indigenous-led project explores how memory, storytelling, and perception shape our understanding of ourselves, others, and the world around us.
Featuring the work of four artists, the exhibition offers a layered narrative of Indigenous presence in the Philadelphia region, rooted in cultural continuity, family, and intergenerational knowledge. Together, these works invite visitors to reflect on how the stories we inherit and the ways we see the world shape who we are, influencing how we live and what we leave for those who follow.
Curators/Lead Artists:
- Tchin (Narragansett) – Curator, Historical Postcard Collection
- Joy Tonepahhote (Kiowa) – Beadwork and Regalia Artist
- Tailinh Agoyo (Narragansett) – Photographer
- Luca Agoyo (Ohkay Owingeh/Narragansett) – Photographer & Playlist Curator
Historical Postcard Collection
Tchin presents a curated selection of original 19th and 20th century postcards depicting Native peoples. Through his lens as a culture bearer and historian, he contextualizes each image, unpacking the stereotypes, misrepresentations, and colonial narratives embedded in these materials. At the same time, the postcards sometimes hold deep meaning for Indigenous viewers, who may recognize community scenes from their own tribal histories. Seeing relatives or familiar aesthetics or homelands represented, even through the distorted lens of early postcard culture, creates a powerful connection across generations.
Tchin’s curation reveals the tension between how Indigenous peoples were portrayed and the realities of Indigenous life, inviting viewers to consider how imagery shapes cultural memory.
Beadwork and Regalia Exhibition
Joy Tonepahhote exhibits hand-beaded pieces, regalia, and culturally significant works that reflect her Kiowa ancestry. Her artistry is grounded in intergenerational knowledge, drawing from family teachings and community traditions that shape her approach to design, technique, and cultural stewardship. Each piece reflects the precision and intention of traditional beadwork while often expressing a contemporary aesthetic, demonstrating how these practices continue to evolve and thrive today.
Multigenerational Photography
In this photographic dialogue between mother and son, Tailinh and Luca Agoyo each offer a distinct yet interconnected perspective on memory, family, and the influences that shape individuals within their environments.
Through photography and writing, Tailinh's work investigates memory, family, and the narratives that are woven across generations. Luca's photography captures a younger generation's perspective, finding moments of wonder throughout Philadelphia's landscape.
Collectively, their work explores how the infinite beauty of the world around us, the practice of noticing, sitting with moments of awe, and cultivating connections with our human and non-human relatives influence our bodies, minds, and spirits.
Philadelphia Pastel Society 2027 Juried Members Exhibition
On display January 13 - March 4, 2027
Opening reception on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
"October grasses" pastel painting by Mary Rinderle Smith
"One Fine Day" pastel painting by Teresa DeSeve
"The View" pastel painting by Denise Vitollo
Experience luminous pastel works by 65 artists at the opening reception of this exhibition celebrating exceptional creativity and skill.
The Philadelphia Pastel Society’s exhibition features soft pastel works including portrait and figurative works, animal portraits, still lifes, landscapes, seascapes and abstract themes. Soft pastel works are luminous under the gallery lighting as the crystalline nature of the pastel pigment reflects the light.
Many of the artists have achieved Signature Member status based on their acceptance into three national pastel exhibitions. The quality of their paintings is exceptional. Fang Sullivan is the juror of selection and Helena van Emmerik-Finn is judge of awards.
The Philadelphia Pastel Society was founded in 2019 by a group of local artists with a passion for painting with soft pastels. They wanted to provide exhibition and educational opportunities for regional artists who work in the soft pastel medium. The non-profit 501(c)(3) organization has rapidly grown to 135 members and is a member of the International Association of Pastel Societies.
In the event of inclement weather, the opening celebration event will take place on January 14, 2027.
Artists Equity's 79th Annual Members’ Spring Juried Show
On display March 18 - May 13, 2027
Opening reception on March 18, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Presented by Penn State Great Valley
- Nancy Larison- Hidden Spaces
- Oil on Canvas
- Barbara Dirnbach- Impression of Italy
- Acrylic on Canvas
An opening exhibit reception and celebration will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2027 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Henry Gallery. This event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required.
Artists Equity is a 74 year old arts advocacy organization. It started as a national organization and then branched off into regional, independently run arts organizations in the mid-1960s.
Artists Equity Philadelphia/Tri-State seeks to advocate for improved policies toward artists and opportunities for artists to make and show their work. AE works to break the barriers for artists who have been marginalized or underrepresented over the years due to race, ethnicity and gender.
While Artists Equity's efforts are focused on the tri-state region of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, advocacy for the arts and artists raises the national awareness of the enduring value of the arts to our culture and heritage.Register for artists equity opening reception
