Susquehanna Art Museum

Housing: Pennsylvania Dwellings Observed
A solo exhibit in The Pollock Foundation Education Center Gallery
February 26 – June 1, 2025, Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 North 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102

Behind The Factory, oil on linen, 10 × 20 inches

Lou Schellenberg is recognized as a landscape painter, even though nature is not always the central theme of her artwork. This exhibition showcases her paintings that delve into vernacular architecture found in rural and small towns of Central Pennsylvania. Her artistic process is rooted in a deep appreciation for the outdoors, beginning with her observations of architecture, dwellings, and yards as she strolls through closely-knit communities.

Each painting spot captures her emotionally and visually, leading her to explore the dynamic interplay between public and private spaces, as well as the boundaries established by human-made structures in relation to nature. The architecture, roads, and the areas that connect residences reveal narratives that emerge from her detailed observations and repeated plein air experiences.

Schellenberg notices the patterns of habitats and finds beauty in the often-overlooked moments that surround her. She weaves together a visual narrative that emphasizes color, light, and subject matter. Through this exhibition, she encourages viewers to contemplate the patterns of habitat and transformation within small towns, suburbs, and rural areas, as well as the human stories that are inherent in every dwelling and the boundaries defined by features such as pavement, yards, and fences.