“A delightful gem! Sally's photographs are exquisitely warm and inviting.
Along with her didactic information, she presents an accessible and compelling reminder of our rich heritage of skilled craftsmen and artisans.... Sally is extremely professional, tireless, and a sheer joy to work with."

~ Kathryn Burke, Director of the Martin Art Gallery, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA


As American Hands exhibits and lectures travel across the country, each installation offers more portraits than the last. That's because Sally continues to return to artisans’ workshops to capture the full process of their work; in addition, she frequently adds new craftspeople to the project.

For larger venues, such as the East Wing Rotunda of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building, Muhlenberg’s Baker Center for the Arts, or Scranton’s Trolley Museum, the installation consists of large full-color artisans’ portraits on canvas, surrounded by “storyboards.” The storyboards are panels made up of hardwood floor planks on which Sally has mounted sepia-toned photos with selectively colored key elements, depicting the stories and processes behind the artisans’ work.

For less spacious venues, such as community libraries or small schools, the installation consists of framed and matted photographic prints that can fit nearly anywhere. For instance, in small libraries, Sally integrates the exhibit within the library experience, hanging pictures on the ends of stacks, putting them on low bookcases and in other nooks and crannies of the venue, creating something of a treasure hunt for library patrons.

Both types of installations include narrative signage, describing the artisans’ philosophy, style, background and other aspects of how and why they work. Most exhibits also feature a gallery talk, lecture and/or reception, which are open to the public.

New exhibits are being scheduled frequently. Please use the form on the Contact page of this website, if you would like to discuss bringing American Hands to your school, gallery, museum, library, event or venue, or wish to be on the email list for the free American Hands Newsletter or to receive exhibit and appearance announcements.

The following is the current American Hands schedule:

• September 8-29, 2012
  	Shamokin & Coal Township Public Library, 210 East Independence Street, Shamokin, PA 17872, (570) 648-3202
  

• September 20, 2012, 10:45am - noon
  	Slideshow presentation	
  		The Salvation Army,  521 Pembroke Road, Bethlehem, Pa. 18018
  

• October 4 – 31, 2012
            Centre County Library, 200 North Allegheny Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823, 
  (814) 355-1516
                Slideshow presentation, Wednesday, October 31, 2pm
  

• November 3- December 1, 2012
            Northeast Phila Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Avenue (at Oakland St.), Phila, PA, 215-685-0520  
                Slideshow presentation, Saturday, November 17, 2pm
  

• February 1-28, 2013
  	The Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA
  		Reception and Schemel Forum Lecture, Wednesday, February 13, 5:30-7:30pm
  

• July 2013
  	McBride Memorial Library, 500 Market Street, Berwick, PA 18603,  (570) 752-2241
  

• Other American Hands exhibits are currently being planned across the country.
  

Previous exhibits of American Hands have been installed at:

•      	East Wing Rotunda, Pennsylvania State Capitol Building, Harrisburg, PA
  	Baker Center for the Arts, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA
  	The Trolley Museum, Steamtown National Historic Site, Scranton, PA
  	The Earnshaw Gallery, The Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock, PA
       	Penn State University, Hazelton, PA
  	Susquehanna Historical Society & Library, Montrose, PA
  	Osterhout Main Library, Wilkes Barre, PA
  	Lebanon Valley Mall, Lebanon, PA
  	Antoine Dutot Museum, Delaware Water Gap, PA
  	Friends Select School, Philadelphia, PA
  	Many other venues
  

Exhibits of Other Work

These American Hands exhibits and presentations are in addition to Sally's usual ongoing rounds of lectures, workshops, and one-woman and group exhibits. To see examples of Sally's photography that appears in her other exhibits, please got to her
online portfolio or The Wordsmiths Project.