The Royal (Ave) Visit: A Juried Student Photography Exhibition

Arcadia Exhibitions, in collaboration with Marketing and Communications, is pleased to present “The Royal Visit: A Juried Student Photography Exhibition,” in the Rosedale Gallery, University Commons February 20 through June 11, 2023.

The exhibition consists of twelve, 18 by 24 inch framed photographs taken by 10 students as part of a competition to document the site of the former Bishop McDevitt High School before it undergoes renovations to serve the future needs of the University. The show was juried by Adam Hess, director of Landman Library. 

This past December students were offered the opportunity to explore the facility and photograph the offices, classrooms, laboratories, athletic facilities, storage areas, cafeteria, chapel, television studio, grounds, and other spaces. Though the building was left in excellent condition by its former inhabitants, the spaces still contained many unique objects left by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia after the sale of the building which denote its long use and history.

For example, chalkboard writings, decorations, artwork, equipment, and pictures of faculty and students remained untouched in the building after the school closed at the end of the 2020-2021 academic year. Much of this evidence of previous use is captured in the photographs in the exhibition.

According to Hess, who holds an MFA in photography from Louisiana State University, “The entries for the exhibition were outstanding overall. Of particular interest, the submissions included many close-up details that documented decades of teaching and learning, as well as many religious icons and artifacts that were left behind.”

“Our juror did an excellent job of choosing images that not only recorded the building at this important transitional moment, but also contain the individual artists’ ideas and creative voices.” says Exhibitions Coordinator Matthew Borgen.

Hess made his selections from a pool of 75 images submitted by 25 students. Participating artists include; Caeden Conklin ’25, Willow Edmonds ’26, Claire Griffin ’22, Makenzie Hillegass ’23, Becca Hoyer ’26, Diego McLendon ’26, Jewel T. Miller ’24, Trinity Z Peters ’23, Masai Pines-Elliot ’25, and Kelsie Winship ’26.

“We hope that this exhibition serves as a catalyst for productive conversations about the long-term future of this property and how it may best serve our students, faculty, staff, and the greater Cheltenham Township community.” added Borgen.