Class Trips and Visiting Artists

Our student artists explored the vibrant world of public art through a guided Mural Arts tour in Philadelphia—beginning at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, continuing with a walking tour of powerful murals, and enjoying lunch at Reading Terminal Market.

Back at Gwynedd Mercy, creativity came to life as students designed, sketched, and painted their own murals. 

We were thrilled to welcome alumna Chase Hafer '14 back "across the pond" to Gwynedd Mercy!

Now a Senior Designer at Cole & Son Limited, a luxury wallpaper and fabric company based in London, Chase returned stateside to share her inspiring career journey with students in Mrs. Hohenstein's Art class.

She gave students a behind-the-scenes look at the wallpaper design and project management process—from research and painting to printing and final production—and showcased stunning examples of her own work and Cole & Son's iconic designs.

Chase is a shining example of how Gwynedd graduates go on to thrive as leaders and innovators. We wish Chase continued success in all her creative endeavors!

AP Art & Design, Honors Drawing & Painting, and Art Scholarship students went on a field trip Friday, May 1, 2026 to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They toured the special exhibition A Nation of Artists in the morning. This is a wonderful exhibit that honors American Art and celebrates the upcoming 250^th anniversary of the United States and Philadelphia.

“Highlighting the richness and diversity of American art, "A Nation of Artists" will trace the evolving story of American creativity across three centuries, featuring works of art from the Philadelphia Museum of Art collected over the past 150 years and the Middleton Family Collection, one of the country’s most significant private holdings of American art. Presented chronologically around distinctive themes, the exhibition explores art making of all types, from ceramics to wood carving and painting to fashion, and includes works by Indigenous, African American, and historically underrepresented artists who have shaped the nation’s visual culture…

At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, "A Nation of Artists" includes the early American portraiture of Charles Willson Peale, the impressionist elegance of Mary Cassatt, the realism of Thomas Eakins, the expressive intensity of Horace Pippin, and the glowing color of Mark Rothko, all shaped by the crosscurrents of cultural exchange, historic events, and imagination. The museum’s exhibition is especially noteworthy for the predominance of the finest American decorative arts including furniture, ceramics, metals, textiles, and architectural elements that broaden the presentation and range of America’s artists.” (PMA 2026, www.philamuseum.org)

Students enjoyed lunch in the museum café and even had a false alarm fire drill! (They did well.)  After lunch they had the opportunity to visit galleries of their choice related to their own interests and art history projects. Students also visited the East stairs, the “Rocky” steps, with a view of the city skyline and the West stairs with a view of the river.  Students’ art appreciation grew, their creativity was inspired, their open minds expanded, and their desire to learn was present!

Ceramics & Sculpture and Mixed Media Studio students went on a field trip to Fonthill Castle and The Tile Works in Doylestown on Wednesday, March 11th. The Tile Works is a working museum that hand-makes decorative tiles and mosaics using the designs and techniques made popular by Henry Mercer in the early 20th century.  Fonthill Castle is Mercer’s dream home.  He designed and built his castle in 1910 entirely with hand-mixed, poured concrete. (He is also the creator and builder of the Mercer Museum.)  These local landmarks are architectural gems.  Mercer was a proponent of the Arts & Crafts movement.  He was a craft purist and believed in preserving historic techniques.  His art and architecture were based on the use of pre-Industrial Revolution tools, techniques, materials, and aesthetics.  He is truly a hero of hand-made craft and labor of love. 

Students toured Fonthill Castle in the morning with museum educators who explained the history and the architecture of Fonthill. Then they enjoyed a picnic lunch outdoors on the grounds of the museum where they had time to sketch their own dream castles. They toured the Tileworks in the afternoon. Students learned about tile making, production, and the wealth of art history in the working museum. They even had the surprise opportunity to make stamped tiles with local clay! We brought these back to school for glazing and firing.

This trip inspired creativity and enhanced art history knowledge. Students are currently creating their own hand-made tiles and mosaic projects at school in art classes. These will be displayed during the Arts Festival during the last week of April.

Visiting Artist, One of Our Own!
Sr. Patricia Donlin shared her talent with the Junior Art majors. Students were excited to learn that their theology teacher is also an artist and the art department was happy to have her visit in some classes. Sr. Pat shared some of her most recent water color work and explained how prayer and meditation are part of her creative process. She spoke about her experiences on retreats and other times of reflection. She explained how these times inspired the subject matter, color, and design in her work. Students then had a chance to create water color paintings in a quiet and meditative environment. Sr. Pat spoke about the technique of water color and how it is difficult to control and easy to over-do. She inspired students with the idea that sometimes beautiful things happen when you let go and don’t try to control too much. Also, knowing when to stop and let something be simply what it is can be part of the process with art and life in general. Sr. Pat even shared some of her favorite inspirational music from her play list!

What an enriching experience for our AP and Honors Art students! A visit to the Rodin and Barnes Museums offered an invaluable opportunity to dive deeply into Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and early modern art, exploring these styles and connecting them to their own creative journeys. GMAHS students engaged hands-on with the art through sketching and creative writing, allowing them to experience the power of art as a form of personal expression.

Niko Chocheli is a classical artist who teaches and has a studio in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the Republic of Georgia. He is a master painter who owns the style and influence of the old masters from Europe. His work references religion, history, mythology, and cultural stories. He creates drawings, paintings, murals, etchings, and icon portraits. Niko also teaches art history and gives tours in art museums. He has received local and international honors for his art work.

Niko visited classes and shared his talent and philosophy of art with sophomore and junior art majors. He passed around published books that contain his artwork while he spoke about his experience as an artist. Niko emphasized that creativity is a gift from God and how his faith inspires his work. He spoke about what it means to be an artist, to see beauty and the responsibility of communicating what you see with accuracy and meaning. Niko encouraged students to draw everything they see, to study art history, and to read. An informed artist can achieve more meaningful work. “Speaking most directly to his faith in his art are his icons and religious murals found in churches, schools and universities, monasteries, other institutions across the Delaware Valley and in his native land. A whimsical playfulness shows in his mystical and folk tale paintings of animals, sea creatures and other life forms occupying fantastic landscapes, and in his acclaimed illustrations for children's faith books.” -Villanova University. Niko answered questions about his training, college, and life as an artist. He inspired students with descriptions of his home country of Georgia. He spoke about how the inspirational landscape of the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea were formative for him. He also shared that his parents, who were both artists, understood his passion and supported and encouraged his creativity. Students enjoyed Niko’s visit and are motivated and inspired for their own artwork.
www.nikochocheli.com