The Hugh McPeck Gallery reopens with The Journey

After being closed for much of 2020 and 2021, the Hugh McPeck Gallery has reopened with an in-person art exhibition for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The Journey” is an exhibition of artwork created by MaryBeth Printz, an alumnus of UAA. The paintings featured in the show were inspired by personal and societal issues created in an imaginative-realistic style, according to the gallery.

The paintings featured in the show are presented in the order that they were painted by Printz, beginning in 2018 and following the artist through 2021. The paintings are each accompanied by a short description, where Printz describes the message each piece conveys. Many of the pieces depict some pretty heavy themes like mental health. 

Currently, the UAA campus is only open to students, faculty and staff, so only those groups can view the exhibit, which is located in the Hugh McPeck Gallery in the Student Union. Those with access to campus can view the exhibit for free until Sep. 22. 

After the conclusion of “The Journey,” the gallery will feature its 36th annual “No Big Heads” self-portrait exhibition from Sep. 30 to Oct. 20. The final exhibition scheduled for the Fall semester is the “2D/3D Invitational” which will be held from Nov. 8 to Dec. 1. 

Art exhibitions during the COVID-19 pandemic were held virtually and can be accessed for free at the Hugh McPeck Gallery’s artsteps profile. This summer’s “(Un)composed” by Aileen Page is available, as well as the previous “2D/3D Invitational,” the 2021 “Clay Body Invitational, the 2021 “Juried Student Art Show” and more.