One of the two exhibits opening this fall at the University Art Gallery brings together the work of Pittsburgh artists Virgil and Lucille Cantini.
“Earth & Ether: The Art of Lucille and Virgil Cantini” not only looks at the well-known abstract sculptures and murals by Virgil Cantini (1919–2009) on the University of Pittsburgh campus and throughout the city, but also shines light on the career of Lucille Cantini (1921–2008), an accomplished artist and educator in her own right, whose work has often been overshadowed by her husband’s more public reputation.
The exhibit, which opened Oct. 16 in the Frick Fine Arts Building, was curated by students in the spring 2025 Curatorial Development and fall 2025 Exhibition Presentation classes of the Museum Studies program, Department of History of Art and Architecture.
Behind the scenes tours of the exhibit at the Frick Fine Art Building will take place 9:30 a.m. Oct. 30 and Nov. 6. The tours will highlight the curatorial process and participants will get a glimpse of related works not on display. Free and open to the public, but registration is requested because of limited space. Click on the dates above to register.
On Nov. 14, there will be a walking tour of iconic and lesser-known artworks by Virgil Cantini on the Oakland campus. Tour includes stops at the Barco Law Building, Hillman Library and Posvar Hall, and ends at the University Art Gallery where participants can see the Cantini exhibit. The event is co-sponsored by art gallery and Shiftworks Community + Public Arts. Free and open to the public. Space is limited. Register here to reserve a spot.
“Wavelengths”
The other exhibit at the gallery this fall is “Wavelengths,” featuring the work of four artists — Aaronel deRoy Gruber (1918-2011), Josefa Filkosky (1933-1999), Sue Fuller (1914-2006), and Jane Haskell (1923-2013) — who were all connected to Pittsburgh’s modernist scene and turned to this region’s resources for inspiration and expertise.
In the mid-to-late twentieth century, artists working with geometrical abstraction often drew upon the standardized patterns and processes of industrial manufacturing.
“The bold compositions in this exhibition seem to swoop, swell and radiate, propelled into space by a sense of dynamic motion and energy,” according to an announcement.
The exhibition includes works from the gallery’s permanent collection and loans from the Irving and Aaronel deRoy Gruber Foundation, Seton Hall University, the O’Brien Art Foundation, the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art and local private collections.
It was curated by Brittany Reilly and Alex J. Taylor with the help from undergraduate and graduate student researchers, and received support from the Marstine Family Foundation.