New exhibitions at Moore College explore art, craft and independence

Metro Philadelphia
6/9/26

By Molly Given
With the nation’s 250th anniversary in full swing, Moore College of Art & Design has decided to go big—with four new showcases all inspired by the celebratory occasion.

First, ‘All into One’ (June 12 to July 31, presented by Philadelphia Sculptors) expands the organization’s long-running ‘5 into 1’ exhibition into a larger regional showcase by featuring emerging artists from local colleges.

‘Art Quilters Celebrate Independence’ (June 13 to Aug. 29, organized by Studio Art Quilt Associates), on the other hand, brings together 39 contemporary quilts that explore freedom, human rights, and creative expression in honor of America250.

Complementing these group exhibitions, the 2026 ‘Juried Alumni Biennial’ (June 12 to Aug. 29) features Moore alumni working across clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood, and mixed media as part of the national ‘Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026‘ initiative.

Rounding out the season, ‘Homecoming’ (June 12 to July 18) will shine a spotlight on salvaged wood sculptures by Laura Petrovich-Cheney.

As Moore notes, together, these exhibitions highlight the enduring impact of handmade practices, material exploration and artistic storytelling across generations.

With ‘All into One’, visitors will get to peruse around contemporary sculptures and three-dimensional art, building on a 26-year legacy at Moore. ‘Art Quilters Celebrate Independence’ takes a juried touring exhibition that showcases innovative conceptual and technical approaches and shines a spotlight on practices for local audiences. The ‘2026 Juried Alumni Biennial’ spans functional, wearable, sculptural, and conceptual forms, all of which were juried by Leila Cartier, executive director of the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, and a Moore alumna whose career has included leadership roles at CraftNOW Philadelphia.

And finally, ‘Homecoming’ features a series of wall-based sculptures crafted from salvaged architectural wood like siding, cabinet doors, and floorboards, some recovered in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The exhibition also marks Petrovich-Cheney’s return to Philadelphia, with a career that spans works shown at the International Quilt Museum, Fuller Craft Museum, and Toledo Museum of Art.

The Galleries at Moore will present four public opening receptions to accompany the exhibits. An opening reception celebrating ‘Homecoming’, ‘All into One’, and the ‘2026 Juried Alumni Biennial’ will take place on Friday, June 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Galleries at Moore. ‘Art Quilters Celebrate Independence’ will be celebrated with a separate opening reception on Saturday, June 13, from 2 to 4 p.m.

To learn more about this summer’s exhibitions at Moore College of Art & Design (1916 Race St.), visit moore.edu

Original article here.