By Lydia Kirkpatrick and Emiliano Villagomez-Lopez

Staff Writers

MARPLE, Pa. — The Delaware County Community College Art Gallery is currently hosting the 2026 Contemporary Juried Exhibition, a showcase of regional talent selected by guest juror Jane Irish. The exhibition follows a series of recent showcases at the on-campus gallery, including the A.F.A. Foundations Exhibition and the 10th Annual Regional High School Exhibition.

On Thursday, March 19, at 4 p.m., Dr. Olivia Gruber Florek welcomed Irish to the podium for an hour-long discussion regarding her recent works. A painter, ceramicist, and political activist who has been active in the Philadelphia region since the 1980s, Irish served as juror for an exhibition dedicated to showcasing local talent.

Irish’s talk covered a wide array of topics, beginning with her work for the Lemon Hill Mansion in Fairmount Park. She spoke about her travels and her deep-rooted passion for highlighting the injustices of the Vietnam War, honoring protesters, activists, and veterans. Her work blends Rococo and Baroque styles with Chinese and Japanese influences, often breaking the barriers between interior and exterior spaces. Her palette ranges from bright, summery pastels to bold, naturalistic hues.

Irish’s work has been displayed in numerous major U.S. institutions, including Locks Gallery, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), The Fabric Workshop and Museum, the Tang Teaching Museum, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), and the Walker Art Center. Her pieces are held in permanent collections at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Princeton University Art Museum, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and the La Salle University Art Museum.

The exhibition itself is titled “215|610,” a nod to the area codes of the participating artists. This year’s featured artists include Justin Bursk, Jeff Carpenter, Christine P. Day, Kathleen Eastwood-Riaño, Jen Hintz Eggers, Elliot Reyburn Engles, Chad Cortez Everett, Raphael Fenton-Spaid, Craig Fineburg, Eric Finzi, Brian Guerin, Olivia Hiester, Cacie Rosario Jackson, Sol Kim, Robert Lipartito, Stephan March, Alexandria Nazar, Parker Phelps, Kristina Ricci, Jennifer Rodgers, Olivia Smith, Gordon Stillman, Hester Stinnett, Kalinda Tran, Ira Upin, Kosuke Yuki, and Aleah Zerance.

While the work in the show ranged in medium, concept, and scale, a cohesive thread connected the pieces. Many artists in attendance attributed this to regional similarities in inspiration and materials.

“There’s a sense of place,” Irish said. “The really amazing, known artists that show internationally and in the Philly area—there is some kind of influence on the younger artists.”

Irish noted that her selection process relied heavily on instinct and intuition. “I was looking for the strength of the work, the abilities of the artist, and also recognizing the stories behind the artwork,” she explained. “Not that the whole thing needed to sing together, but it ended up that way.”

With over 200 artists submitting work, Irish narrowed the field to 27 exhibitors. She explained that she looks for an “affinity” with a piece, whether it’s the strength of the color, the composition, or a sense of “fluctuating space.” She also noted the role of “delight or humor” in her selections.

When asked about the benefit of having such a space on a community college campus, Irish responded, “It’s an affirmation of your own passion,” she said. “To have others reflect back to you, it gives you more assurance. It’s also a way to communicate to the whole student body about other possibilities. It’s not a student show; it’s coming from the whole region, from artists who are at different parts of their careers. It gives you a wide range of the arc of an artist’s life.”

Exhibiting artist Justin Bursk, a Bucks County art teacher, echoed this sentiment. He described being featured as a way to “feel like you’re still a part of the fold,” adding that the local art scene acts as a “support system in a lot of ways.” Philadelphia-based artist Raphael Fenton similarly credited Irish and the other participants for nurturing the sense of community found in the gallery.

Despite the variety of media, many participants shared similar thematic approaches. Artists like Bursk and Eric Finzi both rely on experimentation and failure. Finzi often uses resin to build up his artwork, adding new layers until he is satisfied with the composition. Bursk continuously adds to his pieces over time, experimenting with various ideas until a work feels complete.

The “215|610” show is on display in the Marple Campus Art Gallery until April 3, 2026.

Photography By Greta Motter and Emiliano Villagomez-Lopez