The Edinboro University Foundation has contributed to the newest show at Bruce Gallery, facilitating a donation from alumnus and artist John Silk Deckard. The piece from Deckard, titled “Alphabetman,” is part of “WORD: Text-based Art and Design,” a new show curated by graphic design professor Derek Witucki. The show “brings together contemporary and historical works that blur the line between reading and seeing, revealing how language can clarify or conceal, persuade or play.”
“WORD” will be on display at the Baron-Forness Library art gallery until March 15, 2026.
Artist Joan Matta Deckard (commonly known as Matta D.) donated the piece to the Foundation. Joan was married to John Silk Deckard for 35 years. John passed away in 1994.
According to Bruce Gallery Director Maria Ferguson, “Alphabetman” is a poster that reproduces a series of John’s prints showing human figures in the shape of letters. The original prints were etchings, in which an artist exposes metal plates by scratching their surface and dipping the sketch into an acid bath to create grooves that will hold ink. John’s work typically covered political and religious themes, but this piece is more whimsical and lighthearted.
Since the 1970s, the Bruce Gallery has received approximately 600 donated pieces with the assistance of the Edinboro University Foundation. This work has come from local artists, galleries, and families/communities that wish to share their collections to support the gallery and students at PennWest Edinboro. Donations are just a piece of the Foundation’s support though. “The most direct benefit is that they (the Edinboro University Foundation) actually bring alumni to the gallery,” said Ferguson. Since the alumni are encouraged to visit the gallery, they have also been known to support current students by buying works.
“I was so happy to help facilitate the gift of the ‘Alphabetman’ poster to the Bruce Gallery,” said Chuck Scalise, Edinboro University Foundation executive director. “The poster was a gift to me from Joan Matta Deckard, better known as Matta D., who was the widow of the artist.” According to Scalise, the poster had actually been in their closet for 25 years, and it included a note from John to Joan. The Foundation had the poster matted and framed by local small business, Parker’s Framing Gallery.
“Donating this piece to the university’s permanent collection is one more way the Foundation helps support the university and our students in financial and non-financial means,” said Scalise.
Next up at the Bruce Gallery: in April 2026, the gallery will honor alumni from the Master of Fine Arts program with a 50th anniversary exhibition featuring pieces donated by former Fighting Scots.