Cumberlands Launches Fall 2026 Art Exhibition

Curated collection at University of the Cumberlands offers students and the public a look at 17th and 20th century works

Art spanning centuries is on display at University of the Cumberlands as the Department of Art opens its annual fall exhibition, offering students and the public an opportunity to explore works from the university's permanent collection.

The fall exhibition will remain on display through Nov. 25 at the Luecker Art Gallery, located in the Luecker Building on Cumberlands' main campus in Williamsburg. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, and the exhibition is open to the public.

The exhibition features a curated selection of predominantly European artwork dating to the 17th and 20th centuries. Visitors can explore a variety of artistic styles and techniques through etchings, engravings, and lithographs, gaining a closer look at works that reflect different periods of artistic expression.

Curated by Dr. Russell Weedman, chair of the Department of Art, the exhibition continues a longstanding tradition of opening each academic year with works from Cumberlands' permanent collection. Beyond providing a cultural experience for the surrounding community, the exhibition serves as an extension of the classroom, allowing students to engage directly with historic artwork as they develop their own creative skills.

Faculty incorporate pieces from the exhibition into studio courses, encouraging students to examine the techniques, composition, and artistic approaches represented in the collection. Through reflection assignments and classroom discussions, students are challenged to think critically about the works and draw inspiration from them for their own projects.

This connection between historic artwork and contemporary student creativity is central to the gallery's role in the university's art program. By studying works from different centuries, students can explore how artistic techniques and ideas have developed over time while considering how those influences relate to their own artistic growth.

The gallery also provides opportunities for students to share their work with the campus community. As the academic year progresses, the space transitions from showcasing the university's permanent collection to celebrating student creativity through senior exhibitions and a university-wide student art show in the spring.

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