The University Museum at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) presents Suite Américaine, a contemporary woodworking exhibition by IUP Woodworking Professor and Craft Research Fund Fellow BA Harrington. On display from October 30 through December 5, the exhibition offers a compelling feminist reinterpretation of historic American furniture forms.
To mark the exhibition’s debut, the public is invited to a free opening reception on Friday, October 30, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Sutton Hall. Visitors can explore the artwork, meet the artist, and enjoy complimentary refreshments.
Carrying forward a multi-generational family craft lineage, Harrington re-examines late-17th through early-19th-century dower chests, writing desks, and sewing tables—objects historically designed for women but crafted almost exclusively by men. Intentionally staged during the nation’s 2026 Semiquincentennial, Suite Américaine prompts a timely re-examination of what defines "American" craft and whose labor is honored in our material history. Where traditional furniture concealed women's work, Harrington opens these forms to reveal vibrant interiors spilling with linens and quilts, filling the space with color, texture, and movement.
That perspective is built into the exhibition’s title. Suite Américaine references an 18th-century French term for a furniture set while feminizing the word "American." By combining master-level woodworking, video activations, and artistic collaborations, Harrington asserts her technical skill to transform these historic forms into a celebration of female agency, creativity, and place within historic craft.
In conjunction with the exhibition, the museum will host complementary public programming. On Saturday, October 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Harrington, the IUP NAEA Student Chapter, and the IUP Cro-gay Club will host a Pre-election "Stitch-in" in the museum and Oak Grove—a craftivism event inviting the community to express their voice through needle and thread. Harrington will also give two artist talks in the museum on Thursday, November 5, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 14, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. During these sessions, she will share insights into her research, craftsmanship, and creative process, followed by an open Q&A with attendees.
The University Museum at IUP is located in historic John Sutton Hall at the heart of campus. The University Museum is an integral part of the College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Showcasing a multidisciplinary collection of over 5,000 objects—including regional art, Inuit collections, Native American art, and IUP history—the museum bridges campus scholarship with community engagement through diverse exhibitions, offering free admission and educational programming for students and the public. Regular hours of operation during an exhibition are: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 2:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.; Thursday: 12:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.; Saturday: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Closed: Sunday, Monday, and university holidays. Due to the university's Thanksgiving Break, the Museum will close at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, November 20, and not reopen until 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1.
For more information, please call the University Museum at 724-357-2424 or contact museum-info@iup.edu
Photo of BA Harrington by Brian Henry