The Day Job

Art Exhibition and Opening: The Day Job
On View: December 14, 2024 – February 9, 2025
Gallery Hours: Saturday and Sundays noon – 4pm
Public Reception: December 14, 5–8 PM

Location: 20*20 House Gallery, 20 Lansdowne Court, Lansdowne, PA 19050 Lansdowne, PA — The LEDC’s Arts Committee invites the community to its latest exhibition, The Day Job, an exploration of the intersection between artistic practice and economic necessity. Featuring work from eight talented artists—Ray Bailey, Joe Grubb, Carolyn Kline-Coyle, Sue Liedke, Mark Rice, Michele Southworth, Christina Wills, and Zach Zecha—the exhibition delves into how work outside the studio can shape, inspire, and challenge creative expression.

The exhibition will open with a public reception on Saturday, December 14, from 5–8 PM, offering an opportunity to meet the artists and engage with their reflections on the ever-relevant question: What is your “day job,” and how does it inform your art?

LEDC Executive Director Clare Finin explains the catalyst for the show: “Why is an artist’s labor so often devalued in our society? Take Zach Zecha, for example—during the day, he paints buildings and is compensated well for it. Yet his studio practice, which demands far greater thoughtfulness and sensitivity, is dismissed as less valuable on a societal level.” Show coordinator Megan Pollin Hernandez expanded: “This exhibit feels like a conversation we’ve all had internally with ourselves. It’s exciting to see it become a shared dialogue about how our jobs can shape us and what we create from that.”

Through the included artwork, accompanying statements, and tools and ephemera from the artists’ day jobs, The Day Job explores these thought-provoking questions. Visitors will encounter
pieces inspired by materials found on job sites, meditations on the invisible nature of labor, and works examining the role of work in shaping identity and community. As part of the experience, attendees will also have the opportunity to contribute to a participatory community piece asking: What is your day job?

About the 20*20 House and LEDC’s Arts Committee
The 20*20 House Gallery, located in an early 19th-century home, is a unique space for community and creativity, featuring gallery spaces, workshops, and a yoga studio. Owned by the Borough of Lansdowne, this historic property has been transformed into a welcoming hub for arts and culture.

The exhibition is organized by the LEDC’s Arts Committee, a volunteer group of the Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation (LEDC). The Committee’s mission is to cultivate Lansdowne’s identity as a vibrant artistic community by fostering creative expression, enhancing community engagement, and celebrating diversity.

Accessibility at the 20*20 House

The LEDC is committed to doing their best to accommodate their visitors. The 20*20 House includes accessible parking, a rear entrance ramp, gender-neutral restrooms, and wide walkways on the first floor. The second floor is only accessible by a flight of stairs. Visitors are encouraged to contact the Committee in advance for additional questions or accommodations.