The art gallery at Penn State New Kensington.

Tina Williams Brewer will exhibit her African American story quilts in the Art Gallery at Penn State New Kensington during the first two months of 2003. Brewer's display coincides with the campus' celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. in January and Black History Month in February. Brewer has established a national reputation as a creator of story quilts. Her work focuses on an exploration of African American history and the personal experiences that tie her to it.

A graduate of Columbus College of Art and Design, Brewer first worked in ceramics but found her true vocation in the African American tradition of the story quilt.

The artist celebrates African American culture in a creative way, working with her own tie-died fabrics and bright paints. Utilizing layers of opaque and transparent fabrics, she builds the story quilt as a fabric collage.

"I love sharing a traditional art form, while creating a symbolic language through fiber," said Brewer, a Pittsburgh resident. "The result is a spontaneous explosion of color, form, texture, and fun."

The symbols are drawn from oral history and world cultures. Family experiences and dreams of the future are the predominant themes.

"The intent is to stimulate and contemplate personal greatness," said Brewer, an artist-in-residence at several Pittsburgh public schools. "You have to have the courage to take a chance and to dream beyond the community."

A native of West Virginia, Brewer has exhibited her works throughout the country including New York and Dallas. She was among the 50 artists chosen to exhibit in the National Black Artists Festival in Atlanta. Five years ago, her Life begins at Darkness story quilt won the Best of the Show award at the Art of the State Exhibition in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Her work has been widely exhibited in Western Pennsylvania at such venues as the Manchester Craftsman's Guild, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Society for Contemporary Crafts, Jewish Community center, and Frick Fine Arts Gallery.

The exhibit and is free and open to the public The art gallery is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and weekends from noon to 5:00 p.m.