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Eileen Kopelman Art Exhibit

 

NOVEMBER ART GALLERY FEATURES
"THE WYOMING MASSACRE"
28 REVOLUTIONARY WAR PAINTINGS

Photos of Exhibit:
http://www.nk.psu.edu/Information/News/photogallery.htm#id=14IQBFLH2-0&num=14IQBFLH2-2

Photos of the Reception:
http://www.nk.psu.edu/Information/News/photogallery.htm#id=14JKUQN7L-0&num=14JKUQN7L-1

The little-known story of Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary War is the focus of the November exhibit in the Penn State New Kensington Art Gallery.

"The Wyoming Massacre," a series of 28 oil paintings by local artist Eileen Potter Kopelman, depicts the events in the Wyoming Valley from 1777-80 and features the Battle of Wyoming that occurred on July 3, 1778.  The Wyoming Valley, which is in northeastern Pennsylvania and encompasses the city of Wilkes-Barre, was Westmoreland County, Connecticut, during the American Revolution before the boundary dispute between Connecticut and Pennsylvania was settled by the Decree of Trenton in 1782 in favor of Pennsylvania.

The battle was an encounter between 350 American Patriots and 1,200 British Loyalists, British Army regulars and Iroquois Indians. The Patriots, an assortment of old men and young boys, none of whom was fit for military service, were no match for the British and their sympathizers. What followed was the massacre as more than three hundred Patriots were killed in the battle, and most of those who surrendered or retreated were summarily executed.

Kopelman grew up in Susquehanna County, about 30 miles from Wilkes-Barre and became enamored with the events after learning that her ancestors played a role in the story. She began to study art in 1987. In 2004 she began painting the Revolutionary War series and completed the project in January, 2009.
 
In addition to creating the paintings, Kopelman authored a book as a companion piece to the series. Also called "The Wyoming Massacre," the soft-covered book explains the meaning of each painting and provides a prologue and epilogue of the battle.

A resident of Lower Burrell, Kopelman has been painting for more than 20 years in watercolor, and more recently in water-miscible oils. She is a past president of the Penn Art Association and member of East Suburban Artists League. Both organizations are annual exhibitors in the campus art gallery and Kopelman's artwork has been displayed in previous years in their shows.

 Kopelman holds a bachelor's degree in French from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. After high school she was a Rotary International exchange student to Sweden.

The artist/author is married to James Kopelman, attorney and solicitor for the city of new Kensington. The Kopelmans reside in Lower Burrell and are active in the community.

A reception to meet the artist is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, in the gallery. The reception and exhibit are free to the public. The gallery is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. weekends. Those planning to attend the opening reception should RSVP to 724-334-6056.