August 24–November 20, 2025
The Friedman Art Gallery is hosting a new solo exhibition by artist Terri Yacovelli entitled, “Fused: Works in Encaustic Wax.” The word “encaustic” is derived from “enkaustikos,” a Greek word meaning “to burn in.” Used as early as the first century B.C. by Greek painters, encaustic is one of the oldest and most enduring of all artistic media. This ancient technique combines heated resin, beeswax, and pigment applied in layers onto any porous surface. Each layer must be fused to the previous layer, creating texture and luminosity.
Terri Yacovelli explained, “My creative process reflects the concept that painting with encaustic means accepting and allowing the materials to lead the way. Hot wax often has a will of its own, forcing me to abandon preconceived notions and give in to the medium and moment. The result of this practice is a delicate balance between the elements of my deliberate artistic choices, intuition, and the physical properties of the paint.”
The exhibit’s grand opening coincides with the Arts at Hayfield’s 39th Annual Summer Arts Festival, which will be held at Penn State Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, August 24, 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., rain or shine. Yacovelli will demonstrating her encaustic techniques during the festival from 1:00–2:00 p.m. on the lower level of the Nesbit Academic Commons in the outdoor classroom outside the Reese Cyber Café.
Yacovelli earned a master of liberal arts degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland, and a bachelor of science in art education from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. She is a former studio art teacher and adjunct professor of art at York College of Pennsylvania.
More works by artist Terri Yacovelli can be seen at the artist’s website at www.terriyacovelli.com.
See the article about the exhibit in the August issue of Happenings magazine.
Image Gallery
Red Passage by Terri Yacovelli
Splash of Sunshine by Terri Yacovelli
No Other Blue But You by Terri Yacovelli
Aquaholic by Terri Yacovelli
Walk through artist Terri Yacovelli’s solo exhibition, “Fused: Works in Encaustic Wax,” inside Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s Friedman Art Gallery and see highlights from Yacovelli’s encaustic demonstration at the campus in August 2025. The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, features a variety of Yacovelli’s artworks and runs through Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.