Penn State Altoona will exhibit “Every Day Prey” by Taylor Pate from Feb. 13 through April 3 in the McLanahan Gallery of the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
ALTOONA, Pa. — Penn State Altoona will exhibit “Every Day Prey” by Taylor Pate from Feb. 13 through April 3 in the McLanahan Gallery of the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
As an Appalachian artist, Pate draws inspiration from the landscapes and cultural traditions of her homeland, weaving together the natural world and the narratives of human experience. Viewing nature as both subject and collaborator, she explores cycles of transformation — shedding, renewal, and growth — mirroring the painful yet wondrous evolution of womanhood and girlhood. Her work is rooted in questions of identity and belonging: how personal and collective histories shape us, how we inhabit this world, and how we connect to both the past and the future.
Through symbolic imagery and layered storytelling, Pate examines the interconnected relationship between myth and reality. Metaphor and allegory act as bridges between ancient narratives and contemporary experiences, evoking themes of resilience, memory and metamorphosis. Her works reflect a dialogue with her ancestors, the traditions of Appalachia, and the mysteries of the natural world, inviting viewers to uncover their own connections to shared stories.
Pate earned her bachelor of fine arts in painting and history from West Virginia University in 2020. She completed her master of fine arts at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 2023. That same year, she was awarded the Murray Dessner Travel Grant, which allowed her to travel through Ireland and explore the region’s ancient art and its connections to Appalachian culture.
The galleries are open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For further information, call the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts at 814-949-5452.
