SculptureX 2026: The FAKE

SculptureX 2026: The FAKE is an in-person exhibition and symposium examining Generation Z’s immersion in digital culture from nearly the moment of birth. The FAKE explores how sculpture students from one upper-level educational institution in West Virginia and three in Western Pennsylvania demonstrate a sophisticated awareness and acceptance of mediated and constructed realities through their work.

Digital tools shape contemporary modes of representation and production: images are retouched, sound is corrected, writing is algorithmically refined, and emerging AI systems now generate audio and dialogue for moving images. As artificial intelligence increasingly permeates daily life in 2025, edited and fabricated realities have become pervasive cultural conditions. SculptureX 2026 situates these developments within the context of a sculpture exhibition by students and faculty of the SculptureX netowrk, recognizing that the manipulation of perception and authenticity is not new, but newly intensified.

Now in year 16, SculptureX continues to leverage scarce resources to catalyze collaborations and dialogue among educational and arts institutions within driving distance of Cleveland, OH and Erie, PA.
2026 PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Lisa Austin, Civitas & PennWest University (Emeritus)
Pati Beachley, Seton Hill University
Dylan Collins, West Virginia University
Grace Chin, The Sculpture Center (SX Fiscal Agent)
Emily Elliott, Slippery Rock University (2026 SX Host)
David W. Martin, PennWest Edinboro University

The SX SYMPOSIUM event schedule for Friday, February 13, 2026 is:
1:00pm - Welcome by EMILY ELLIOTT and THERESA ANTONELLIS
2:00pm - Pecha Kucha by EMERGING ARTISTS organized by ASIA WARD, Social Practice Artist, Pittsburgh, PA
3:00pm - Exhibition dialogue facilitated by Dr. PAULA BURLEIGH, Art Critic & Art History Professor, Allegheny College, Meadville, PA
4:00pm- Mingle & Refreshments TBA
5:00pm - Deinstallation & Departure by ALL

WHAT IS SX?
SculptureX, or SX, stands for “sculpture exchange.” SX is a teaching and networking platform designed to leverage scarce resources to catalyze collaborations and dialogue among educational and art institutions. SculptureX fosters an “exchange” of faculty expertise in design, art education, art history, criticism and curatorial practice between institutions through speakers, workshops, presentations, panels and exhibitions. Since 2010, SX has organized dozens of free (or low-cost) with institutions in Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, West Virginia, western New York and western Pennsylvania and Ontario.

Info: The SculptureX 2026 Symposium: The FAKE, hosted at Slippery Rock University, will be kicked off with remarks by Slippery Rock Assistant Professor of Sculpture Emily Elliott and Director of the Martha Gault Art Gallery Theresa Antonellis.

Info: Student presentations in the rapid fire PechaKucha storytelling format is organized by Pittsburgh based social practice artist Asia Ward.

Info: A facilitated walk-through of the exhibition The FAKE with PAULA BURLEIGH, Art Critic & Art History Professor, Allegheny College, PA

Info: The event will close with a reception and opportunity to mingle. Free refreshments will be served.

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