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Kurt Vonnegut Jr. As A Visual Artist

March 14 - July 19, 2025

Peck Center Gallery, Wednesday - Saturday 11 AM - 4 PM

3142 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA

Abstract drawing of face

“The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake.”

-       "A Man Without a Country" 

Kurt Vonnegut’s artwork, like his writing, invites us to reflect on the human condition with humor and depth. His visual art, characterized by its simple yet poignant line drawings, often critiques societal norms and encourages empathy.

This exclusive exhibition of more than 20 rarely seen marker drawings by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. offers a fresh perspective on his artistic legacy and serves as a conversation starter on how art can express empathy, bridge divides, and help heal societal trauma.

Learn about the upcoming exhibition Kurt Vonnegut Jr. As a Visual Artist, with lender, Heather Rose, and Executive Director of Collections & Exhibitions, Lynn Clouser Waddell.

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This exhibition is free and open to the public. For any questions please contact Lynn Waddell at lcc48@drexel.edu. 


Creative Kickback Tours Kurt Vonnegut Jr. As A Visual Artist

Thursday, April 17, 2025, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Peck Alumni Center Gallery, Drexel University

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Kevin Latimer, Writers Room’s AmeriCorps VISTA, leads a student-centric program strand for the Writers Room every other Thursday evening, called Creative Kickbacks. This evenings Kickback will be visiting the exhibition, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. As A Visual Artist with space to write / create / reflect on the exhibition.

This event is free and light refreshments will be provided.

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Writers Room Visits Vonnegut

Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Peck Alumni Center Gallery, Drexel University

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Kevin Latimer and Victoria Huggins Purifoy co-create and lead a public writing workshop for a diverse community group of neighbors, students, faculty and staff. This week the workshop is visiting the exhibition Kurt Vonnegut Jr. As A Visual Artist for inspiration!

This event is free and light refreshments will be provided.

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Art Therapy and Mental Health in Creative Practice

Saturday, May 3, 2025, 2:00 - 4:00 PM

The Free Library, Art & Literature Department

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Led by Drexel's Creative Arts Therapy Department, this is a hands-on workshop exploring how artistic expression can serve as a therapeutic tool for emotional resilience, self-exploration, and social healing.

Activity: Blackout Poetry

Blackout poetry is not just about words; it’s about discovering meaning within existing structures. It encourages us to see potential where others might see chaos or confusion. The process of finding and framing words mirrors how we sometimes make sense of our own lives—by focusing on what matters and letting the rest fade away.

In the context of Kurt Vonnegut’s exhibition, blackout poetry aligns beautifully with the theme of "Empathy in Urban Spaces: Cities That Care." Just as Vonnegut’s work often highlights overlooked sources of support and critiques societal apathy, blackout poetry challenges us to reclaim narratives from texts that might otherwise go unread or unnoticed. It’s about revealing hidden truths and reflecting on how care can emerge from unexpected places.

This Blackout Poetry Activity offers participants a creative space to reflect on how urban environments—through community spaces, art, and unexpected acts of kindness—serve as hidden infrastructures of care that sustain us. By transforming found text into poetry, participants will explore how empathy emerges from unexpected places and how words can be reimagined to express healing, connection, and support.

Through this process, we’ll draw inspiration from Vonnegut’s powerful exploration of empathy and resilience, as well as his belief in the importance of creating art as a means of making life more bearable.

This event is free and open to the public.

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Legal Workshop for Artists - Presented by Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

Saturday, June 21, 2025, 2:00 - 4:30 PM

The Free Library

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A workshop covering topics such as intellectual property, contract negotiation, and estate planning, this workshop will provide essential resources to support artists and creative professionals.

This event is free and open to the public.

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We hope you enjoyed Kurt Vonnegut Jr. As A Visual Artist. Please could you take the time to review the exhibition via the link below. Your review will help us collect relevant information about audiences and aid in future decision making.

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