By Sarah Daniels, Managing Editor
On Wednesday, the Schmucker Art Gallery unveiled two new student-curated photography-based exhibitions. The opening was a part of the America 250 Adams County celebration and attracted a crowd of both students and county residents.
The first exhibit, “A Great and Truthful Medium: Photography At Gettysburg and Beyond, Selection from the Ron Perisho Collection at Gettysburg College,” curated by former students Michael Aaron ‘26 and Madeleine Ulman ‘26, features items from community member Ron Perisho’s collection. The second, “Uncle Abe: The Common Image of the Uncommon Man,” curated by Devon Szczepkowicz ‘26, is an exploration of Abraham Lincoln’s image as a president, martyr, log splitter and father.
Director of the Schmucker Art Gallery, Dr. Sarah Kate Gillespie opened the event by thanking the students and Mr. Ron Perisho, who loaned exhibit items to the Gallery. She noted that his contribution gave “endless opportunities” to student-curators.
Director of the Civil War Institute, Dr. Ashley Luskey then commented about the process of the students’ curation.
The exhibit, “A Great and Truthful Medium” features an original stereograph viewer with loaded images, as well as a film viewing area with 3D glasses that morph the stereographs into period-accurate 3D images.
The curators also added a “selfie spot,” with a realistic reproduction background, intended to give visitors a glimpse of a Civil War-era photography studio.
Visitors looking at main gallery. (Photo: Audrey Blaszak/The Gettysburgian)
The exhibit also sought to explore the concept of “truth in the gallery” by raising questions about portrait representation and the stories behind the photos.
Alongside the larger exhibit was a smaller, more intimate exploration of Abraham Lincoln’s image through physical media, “Uncle Abe.”
Szczepkowicz spoke to the process and inspiration for the exhibit.
“It was a labor of love. I am very, very excited to share this exhibit with everyone today, and when I saw the exhibit for the first time, I was just thrilled. Curating this was one of the most satisfying projects I’ve worked on. This exhibit is about you; it’s about us, and the face of Abraham Lincoln that we see every day.”
Devon Szczepkowicz speaking to crowd. (Photo: Audrey Blaszak/The Gettysburgian)
“Uncle Abe” is open until Nov. 22, 2026. “A Great and Truthful Medium” will be open to the public until Dec. 5, 2026.
