Spring legacy exhibit set to open at Saint Vincent College's McCarl Coverlet Gallery

Jeff Himler, Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.
·1 min read

Apr. 15—Visitors to the Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College will find a thread of creativity stretching back to an earlier era in American decorative arts.

Located on the center's first floor, the Foster and Muriel McCarl Coverlet Gallery will debut its new spring exhibit, "An American Legacy: The Brian McCarl Collection," with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. The free event is open to the public. Reservations aren't required.

The selection of 27 handwoven coverlets and textile equipment dating to the 18th century will be on display through Aug. 16.

The nonprofit gallery's mission is to collect, preserve, interpret and disseminate the history of weaving and folk traditions in the northeastern United States.

"This exhibit takes the McCarl Gallery back to its roots," according to curator Emily Barth.

The gallery is named for the Beaver Falls couple who were crucial to the space opening its doors in 2008. The McCarls donated their prized collection of several hundred antique coverlets to the college, as well as an endowment of $1 million dollars.

Last year, their son, Brian, expanded the gallery's holdings by donating 115 coverlets from his own collection.

The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays or by appointment. Guided tours are available.

For more information, visit coverletgallery.org or call 724-805-2188.

Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.