HARRISBURG, PA – A new creative space is brightening walls on the third floor of the UPMC Health Sciences Tower at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU). The HU Micro Gallery, a project led by staff and faculty from the Interactive Media (IMED) program, is a celebration of creativity, community, and the idea that art and science don’t just coexist – they amplify each other.
Hanging on two walls of the open seating area, the HU Micro Gallery features original artwork by members of the HU community. It’s the first installation in what faculty hope will become a rotating series of exhibits showcasing the creative spirit of Harrisburg University.
“HU attracts an incredibly diverse group of students and professionals, many of whom have passions that go beyond traditional STEM,” said Anthony Ortega, Production Coordinator at HU’s Center for Advanced Entertainment & Learning Technologies and Corporate Faculty for Interactive Media. “The HU Micro Gallery is our way of honoring creativity in all its forms.”
The gallery has four main goals:
- Celebrate the HU community
- Encourage creative expression across artistic media
- Engage with the broader City of Harrisburg arts scene
- Transform overlooked spaces on campus into places of reflection and inspiration
“Harrisburg has a growing arts scene, and we want to be part of that,” added Charles Palmer, Program Lead for Interactive Media. “In the future, expect to see us play a role in events like Third in the Burg or Artsfest, where we hope to forge even stronger connections between HU and the creative heartbeat of this city.”
While the first round of artwork has been on display since Spring Recess, Harrisburg University will host a casual reception – open to HU students and employees, along with their invited friends and family – on Friday, April 18th from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. Visitors will have a chance to meet the artists behind the work, and light snacks and refreshments will be provided. The UMPC Health Sciences Tower at Harrisburg University is located at 222 Chestnut Street in Downtown Harrisburg.
Future plans for the HU Micro Gallery include rotating exhibits with new artwork displayed each semester – sometimes highlighting a single artist, and other times curating themed group shows. A call for submissions will go out in advance of each new installation and will be open to HU students, staff, and faculty.
And this is just the beginning. “We’d love to see micro galleries popping up in other parts of campus,” said Professor Ortega. “There’s so much talent at HU. All we have to do is give it a little space to shine.”
For more information about the HU Micro Gallery or upcoming calls for artwork, please contact Anthony Ortega at AOrtega@HarrisburgU.edu.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University was recently recognized by US News & World Report as one of the nation’s most innovative colleges. HU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing, and other health science fields. For additional information about HU’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter).
