The Presbyterian Historical Society, 425 Lombard St., recently announced that it will be hosting an opening reception for its Building Knowledge and Breaking Barriers exhibit on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 5:30 p.m.
Originally postponed due to the pandemic, the event will be highlighting seven installations, three outdoor and four indoor, created by students at Community College of Philadelphia that aim to blend current events with Presbyterian history.
“I want to thank The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage for their grant support for this project and commend the CCP students who persevered and worked creatively to complete their projects despite the challenges posed by COVID-19,” said Nancy J. Taylor, the executive director of PHS, in a press release. “We can’t wait for the public to experience this exhibit.”
The two-year learning project saw educators and students alike delve into centuries of history through a wide variety of formats. The pandemic and nationwide protests for racial justice also heavily impacted the project’s interpretations of local and international history. Topics that were examined through the projects include abolition, revolution, LGBTQ+ inclusion, public art in Philadelphia and white Christian attitudes toward Asians and Asian Americans.
“The Building Knowledge and Breaking Barriers project used archival items from PHS and expertise from our staff to bolster the research and critical-thinking skills of Community College of Philadelphia students,” Taylor said. “The project also confronts barriers to access, learning and professional opportunities that too often keep institutions like ours a resource for the privileged few instead of a place of welcome for the broader Philadelphia community.”
All indoor and outdoor installations will be available for the public to view Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. following the opening reception.
Attendance is free of charge, however registration is strongly encouraged for all potential visitors.
