23rd Annual 5 into 1 Exhibition

June 3 - September 2, 2023
at Moore College of Art and Design
1926 Race Street, Philadelphia

Opening Reception: Saturday, June 3, 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Selected Artists:

Moore College of Art & Design
Lily Scharff

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Julio Galvez
Lasha Stewart
Kelly Lawler

Tyler School of Art
Brynn Hurlstone
Maria Marte

The University of the Arts
Tori Schwartz
Maple Young
Grace Plett

University of Pennsylvania
Chenxi Shao

Philadelphia Sculptors is proud to announce the twenty-third year of 5 into 1, its annual exhibition showcasing the works of emerging sculptors. The exhibition highlights the achievements and artistic merit of selected artists from five Philadelphia colleges and universities: Moore College of Art & Design, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Tyler School of Art and Architecture, The University of the Arts, and University of Pennsylvania. This Year’s Exhibition is to take place at Moore College of Art and Design in the Wilson Gallery, June 3 through September 2, 2023. A free public reception will take place on Saturday, June 3rd from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.

Continuing its commitment to both emerging arts professionals and emerging artists, Philadelphia Sculptors has selected Patrick Cabry, Chenlin Cai, Mandi Hall, Jacintha Kruc, Sherry Rossini, and Jaymi Vilardo as this year’s curators. Much like last year, this year’s curators have continued to select works from departments not solely dedicated to sculpture, focusing on students who choose to work in a way that promotes sculptural thinking and movement.

Exhibited in Moore’s Wilson Gallery, this year’s exhibition brings together a group of artists whose work explores topics of identities, human interaction, and material exploration– addressing concerns unique to each artist’s work and practice.

Lily Scharff, from Moore, presents ideas of mortality and funerary traditions with multi-media work using skulls and fiber, while Lasha Stewart, from PAFA, finds new life in found objects to make sculptures and installations. Glass artist Maria Marte, from Tyler, makes glass and mixed media sculptures addressing her 18 years in the Marine Corps, while UPenn grad Chenxi Shao mixes topics of social equality, identity, and environment to create her sculptures. Maple Young, UArts, and Julio Galvez, PAFA, scratch at memories and identity with more abstract fiber works. Tori Schwartz from UArts unearths large works using natural materials to reference her childhood and a sense of “detachment and impermanence.” Brynn Hurlstone, Tyler, wants to challenge her viewers to interact with her art and take a closer look at her glass vessels. Kelly Lawler, of PAFA, seeks to make art that is meditative and helps the viewer achieve a healing and positive energy. Grace Plett, UArts, discusses their Feminine energy with poems and colorful landscapes.

All the artists in the exhibition, while working with different mediums and topics, use their art to discuss and challenge contemporary topics that resonate with both the artists and their audiences.

5 into 1 provides recent graduates with a special opportunity to exhibit their art in a professional setting and presents the public with art by some of the best emerging artists in Philadelphia. This exhibition celebrates the strengths of young artists as credits to their individual institutions as it also reveals the impact made by a show of their combined works.

The public is invited to attend the free opening reception, Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. A “Best in Show” award will be announced during the reception. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

The Wilson Gallery is located in the Moore College of Art and Design’s building at 1926 Race Street in Philadelphia.

For more information: fiveinto1@gmail.com