The Bruce Gallery on the Edinboro campus of PennWest University is proud to announce the opening of Celebrate the Artist: The 17th Annual Michael V. Gmitter Memorial Scholarship Exhibition. The exhibition opening reception will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 5-7 p.m., with awards announced at 6 p.m. During the reception, more than $4,000 in scholarships will be awarded to student artists.

Celebrate the Artist honors Michael V. Gmitter, an art student studying metals and jewelry at Edinboro University who passed away in 2006. Michael’s parents established an endowment to support an annual memorial exhibition, competition and scholarship in his name.

Since it’s inception in 2007, Celebrate the Artist has been chaired by Professor Cappy Counard.

“The Gmitter exhibition showcases the high level of creative accomplishment and professionalism of our students while honoring the memory of a cherished former student, Michael V. Gmitter,” Counard said. 

Each Fall, PennWest Edinboro’s senior art students submit their applications for the opportunity to install their artwork in a mini solo show in Bruce Gallery. Students must complete their professional displays during an eight-hour session. This year, the exhibition features work by 15 finalists: Roswell Butina, Mattie Carey, Shane Cannon, Sammi Cooper, Kylee Czarkowski, Evelyn Emswiler, Reagan Hutton, Audrey Kemick, Matilyn Koning, Arin Rockwell, Grace Turk, Nicole Sinciline, Rebekah Skweres, Seth Snyder and Ja’Lynn Vaughan.

Once installations are complete, this year’s juror, Ryan Zimmerman, will evaluate the installations for artistic ability, originality, creativity, craftsmanship, design and presentation. Zimmerman graduated from the Wood/Furniture Design program in 2017 and went on to earn his MFA from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He currently resides and practices art in New York City.

Celebrate the Artist: The 17th Annual Michael V. Gmitter Memorial Scholarship Exhibition will be on view through Sunday, April 5, 2026.

ABOUT THE BRUCE GALLERY: Located on the Edinboro campus of PennWest University, the Bruce Gallery serves as a resource for students, scholars and the Northwestern Pennsylvania community. The gallery showcases selections from the permanent collection; from regional and national emerging and established artists; and work by faculty, students and alumni. The Bruce Gallery exhibitions and programs are generously funded through university facility and staffing support, as well as Edinboro’s Student Government Association (SGA), the university’s Art Department, and by special grants and partnerships.

PLAN YOUR VISIT: The Bruce Gallery is housed on the first floor of the Baron-Forness Library, 200 Tartan Rd., Edinboro, Pennsylvania. The gallery is free and open to the public during library operating hours. You can find more information about the Bruce Gallery's exhibitions and programs at brucegallery.info.

Pictured: Lauren Dietrich, the 2025 winner of the Michael V. Gmitter Memorial Scholarship Exhibition.