Roma Ruth, Artist
 

Contemporary Fraktur Exhibit
August 2, 2008-January 31, 2009

The Mennonite Heritage Center highlights the beauty and creativity of contemporary fraktur art in the exhibit, Continuing the Tradition: Contemporary Fraktur Artists. The exhibit is on display from August 9, 2008 through January 31, 2009. While the Heritage Center is known for its collection of historic fraktur, this exhibit demonstrates the twenty-first century continuation of the tradition. Artists represented in the exhibit include Drollene Gehman, Ceci Good, Grace Headman, Louise Hutchings, Kelvin Mack, Fred Peltier, Rachel Rich, Roma Ruth, Esther Shisler, Lisa Short, and Emily Smucker-Beidler, all from southeastern Pennsylvania.

Each artist has their own style and even their own theory about how an historic folk art can be presented in a contemporary way. Some of the artists copy or re-interpret design elements from 18^th and 19^th century fraktur.  Others prefer to create their own original designs.  Visitors will enjoy seeing these different interpretations along with the individual styles and creativity.  Just as 18^th century schoolmaster-artists passed on the tradition of fraktur to their students, so even in the late 20^th century a couple of these artists, as teachers, passed on the art form to their students, a few of whom would later continue the tradition.

Updated 08-22-2008