Retired professor inspired to create five-woman art show

When Cynthia Allan retired from her longtime teaching and theater career in the Pitt State Communication Department, she dedicated herself to the art of fused glass. That led to a unique show that opened on campus this week.

"As I became brave enough to show things to people, I was somewhat confounded by their surprise that I was now making 'art'," Allan said. "What, I wondered, did they think theater was? Do people not understand the intersections of various art forms?"

Allan began thinking of theater people she knew who create both for the theater and for their personal expression.

"I have colleagues and former students generating vibrant, interesting, and wildly creative visual art regardless of whether they act or design or direct in the theatre," she said. "And in thinking about them, I realized how much I treasure the creative energy each of them brought to my life and missed the opportunity to connect with them."

Her reflections prompted "Off Book: Visual Art by Women of Pitt State Theatre," a unique art show that will be on display in the newly renovated art gallery at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, 1711 S. Homer, on the university campus. It will run through Dec. 12.

The show is the work of five artists, all women, who have been involved in Pitt State Theatre: Megan Westhoff (current director and an alumna), Lisa Quinteros (adjunct instructor and costume designer), Lucy Miller-Downing (alumna), and Debbi Fischer (retired nursing instructor and developer of nursing clinical simulations with Pitt State theatre).

A presentation and discussion by the artists is planned for 3 p.m. on Oct. 10 and a reception is planned for 7 p.m. on Oct. 10.

The show is free and open to the public whenever the Bicknell Center is open. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and the center is open whenever there is a concert, play, or other event. For more information, call 620-235-6122.