Three blindfolded faces with mouths wide open are projected on individual screens on gallery wall.

Bright Speck, an exhibition in Spring 2017, included Desirée Holman's immersive 3-channel video projection of her work, Sophont.

The mission of the Handwerker Gallery is to enhance the academic offerings of Ithaca College with a diverse range of scholarly exhibitions, lectures, colloquia, and events in its role as a pedagogical resource. In exploring the various meanings inherent in art and artifacts, the Gallery collects preserves, protects, displays, and interprets objects of aesthetic, cultural, and intellectual significance.

Exhibitions are coordinated with attention to the needs of the faculty, students, and staff at Ithaca College, as well as the interests of the larger Ithaca and Finger Lakes communities.

The Gallery provides an outlet for creative work and intellectual discourse for students and faculty in diverse programs across campus, including Art, Art History, and Architecture; Cinema and Photography; Theatre Arts; and Writing. In addition, the Gallery directly supports the teaching of Art History at the College through experiential learning as part of a gallery-based interdisciplinary educational experience that strengthens the College’s distinctive Humanities program. 

The Handwerker Gallery respectfully acknowledges that we are located on unceded traditional lands of the Cayuga Nation, members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, who have stewarded this land for generations. This land was unlawfully taken by New York State after a treaty was made between the Six Nations and General George Washington in 1779, which granted sovereignty to the Haudenosaunee Nation within its lands. As members of the Ithaca College Community, we actively recognize that the lingering consequences of settler colonialism continue to reverberate to this day.*

* Established 12/2022 by Handwerker Gallery Student Staff, subject to periodic revision as appropriate.

Class Visits

Informal visits by Ithaca College classes and small community groups to our exhibitions are welcome[!] - during regular hours of operation. Your group may even come by on an impromptu basis, but groups may not host recurring classes or events without prior approval from the Director. We are eager to facilitate faculty seeking enriching opportunities or to work visits into existing curricula and absolutely encourage visits of this nature but we recommend that you formalize your intended visit in advance by emailing the Handwerker Gallery Director [paulnicholson@ithaca.edu]. This will ensure there are not multiple classes visiting at the same time, and there may be additional materials or docent support possible depending on the show and nature of the visit. 

Regarding filming or reception requests: Our insurer does not permit us to hold external events that might introduce additional risk to works on exhibit in our spaces. This means that the Gallery is not a reservable venue or general-use campus location, and we must keep our spaces open and accessible for exhibition viewing and primary gallery programming. 

A group of female students peer at artwork propped up on wooden shelves.

Students discuss work by Rhonda Vanover, Assistant Professor in the Department of Media Arts, Sciences and Studies, during her Spring 2017 exhibition "Wake and Temper."

Get Involved!

Student employment, Volunteer, and Internship Opportunities

A range of paid positions and credited internships are available for enthusiastic students at the Handwerker Gallery. Possibilities include developing exhibitions and events, managing collections, leading tours and educational programs, marketing the Gallery and its activities, and photographing events.  All of these opportunities provide important professional experience not only in gallery and museum work, but also in the fields of business, education, administration, and public relations.  

Fall 2026 Handwerker Gallery staff: Benjamin Appel, Chaya Bennett, Ana Brenes Heinzen, Takyia Couch, Ella Carbury, Ivana Cvetanoska, Vivaya Elinge, Jennifer Kolb, Dennis Mabamba, Meghan Macsuga, Angie Riel, and Valentina Wallin.

To financially support the Handwerker, you may submit your gift via our secure donation page. 

The Gallery Director is Paul Nicholson (paulnicholson@ithaca.edu) and the Preparator is Leanna Yatcilla.

The Handwerker Gallery accepts applications for Student Monitors and Student Assistants in April and November of each year for the next academic semester. For more information about jobs and/or credited internships email the Director (paulnicholson@ithaca.edu) for more information.