Welcome to the String Room Gallery

The String Room Gallery is Wells College’s premier venue for art exhibitions.

A serene, sunlit space tucked away on the first floor of the College’s Main Building, the room is complemented by a beautiful wood parquet floor, subtle track and natural lighting, and a large hearth with an ornate wood and ceramic mantle.

The gallery regularly hosts exhibitions by a wide range of local and regional artists including painter James Pappas, installation artist Jennifer Pepper, photographer Lori Brown, ornithological artist Karen Allaben-Confer, equestrian photographer Michael Marten, and a number of Wells faculty and students.

Special receptions are held on opening nights; refreshments are served from 7 – 9 pm and attendees have an opportunity to meet and interact with the artists. Please check the College’s events calendar often for dates and details.

At least twice a year, student artwork is displayed in special exhibits: the Spring show features student work from the Fall semester, and the senior thesis art exhibit is organized, installed, and presented each May by graduating Studio Art majors. Wells takes great pride in spotlighting its artists.

The String Room Gallery also provides gracious space for intimate receptions and gatherings. 

Gallery Hours

When classes are in session, the gallery is open during the times listed below and by appointment. Please call 315.364.3465 or email stringroom@wells.edu . All exhibits and opening receptions are free and open to the public. Monday – Friday 9 am to 5 pm;Tuesday and Thursday evenings 7 pm to 9 pm;;Saturday and Sunday 1 pm to 4 pm.

String Room staff

The gallery’s director is Assistant Professor of Art History William Ganis who specializes in contemporary art. Professor Ganis is an active scholar and critic, writing exhibition reviews and articles for BorderCrossings, Contemporary, Sculpture and Afterimageamong other publications. He is a contributing editor to GlassQuarterly. In addition, he teaches introductory art surveys, modern and contemporary art. Professor Ganis, earned his PhD from Stony Brook University and his BA from the University of Pittsburgh.

Associate Professor of Art Theodore Lossowski is responsible for teaching all phases of ceramics, three-dimensional design and sculpture. He resurrected the Wells photography program, which had been dormant for eight years prior to his arrival. His own work is involved with the creation of abstract multi-media sculpture that is constructed in a minimalist tradition. Lossowski earned his MFA in Ceramic Sculpture in 1977 from the School For American Crafts at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Gallery History

When the current Main Building was erected in 1890, the room was initially used as the College’s library, with space for 2,500 volumes. After Cleveland Hall was built in 1911 to accommodate the library’s expanding needs, the room became known as the Association Room and was a popular gathering spot for dancing and singing.

Renamed the String Room in 1963, it continued to serve as a student lounge until 1980, when it was converted into an art gallery during inaugural celebrations for former Wells president Patti McGill Peterson.

Upcoming Exhibits

For information on current and upcoming exhibitions, please refer to our events calendar.

Special thanks to Jane Marsh Dieckmann ’55, whose book, Wells College: A History, provided the historical details for this webpage.