Sheridan College is proud to host People, Places & Things, a month‑long exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Hannah O’Hare Bennett. The show opens this week in the college’s Visual & Performing Arts gallery and will remain on view through the end of the month.
Artist background and inspiration
Hannah O’Hare Bennett, a Madison‑based creator, blends bead weaving, yarn, handmade paper and found materials into intricate multimedia tapestries. Her work draws heavily on a formative period in her twenties when she served with the Peace Corps in Ecuador. While stationed in a tiny mountain town of roughly 60 residents—predominantly women and children, as most men traveled north for petroleum work—Bennett immersed herself in local culture and daily life.
Those two years left an indelible mark on her artistic vision. Upon returning to the United States, she learned traditional weaving techniques and began incorporating beadwork, a skill that now defines her signature style. The resulting pieces in the exhibition reflect a dialogue between the intimate, rural experience of the Andes and contemporary American craft.
What visitors can expect
The exhibition features a series of large‑scale tapestries that combine vibrant beadwork with textured yarns and reclaimed paper. Each work is titled to evoke a specific locale or memory—“Ecuadorian Dawn,” “Petroleum Roads,” and “Homecoming Threads,” among others. Viewers are invited to walk among the pieces, noticing how the tactile materials echo the rugged terrain and communal spirit of the Ecuadorian village that shaped Bennett’s worldview.
College Chair for the Visual & Performing Arts, Professor Brittney Denham, highlighted the educational value of the show: “Bennett’s art bridges global experience with local craftsmanship. It offers our students a tangible example of how cultural exchange can enrich artistic practice and community identity.”
Community involvement
In conjunction with the exhibition, Sheridan College will host a series of workshops and talks. Bennett will lead a hands‑on bead‑weaving session for interested students and community members, while Denham will moderate a panel on the role of art in fostering cross‑cultural understanding. The events aim to engage Sheridan residents, encouraging them to explore how global narratives can be woven into the fabric of local life.
Local businesses have also shown support. The nearby Frontier Café will offer a special “Andean Spice” coffee blend during the exhibition’s opening night, and the Sheridan Public Library will display a selection of books on Ecuadorian history and traditional textile arts.
Why the exhibition matters
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the show underscores the importance of artistic expression rooted in personal experience and faith‑based service. Bennett’s Peace Corps background reflects a commitment to serving others—a value that resonates with Sheridan’s own community spirit. By sharing her story, the exhibition invites residents to consider how service, family, and faith can shape creative endeavors.
The exhibition runs through September 30, with free admission for students, faculty, and the public. For more information on opening hours, workshop registration, or to arrange a private tour, visit the Sheridan College Visual & Performing Arts website.
Original reporting: Sheridan Media (Sheridan WY) — read the source article.
