Benjamin Franklin is an icon of American thought and his likeness is associated with wisdom. Most of our images of Franklin are of an older man, a bit overweight, sometimes wearing his spectacles, balding on the front top of his head and having longer shaggy hair at the sides of his ears. He was known to have worn a fur hat but his dress was commonly described as simple. His autobiography is a classic describing how through hard work and intelligence a person could succeed in America. His early poverty taught him to be frugal as well as practical and to keep a sense of humor. In spite of his lack of formal education he strived to find ways to improve himself and his community. In this regard he was remarkable. He was responsible for establishing numerous institutions including: a fire company, a subscription library which became The Free Library of Philadelphia, an academy which became the University of Pennsylvania, the Junto (a philosophical club) which was a precursor to the American Philosophical Society, and he published a newspaper the Pennsylvania Gazette.

Although Franklin was known for many other accomplishments as statesmen and as an inventor, it was his devotion to communication and self-learning that inspired the organization of this exhibit. This exhibit is not just about the historical Franklin but it is also about how his ideas can inspire and be a catalyst to activate contemporary learning. Each artist grapples with the history of Franklin yet ultimately transforms his life through their artistic means. In this context a contemporary vision illuminates a historical past. This exhibit is as much about creating a new vision as it is about exploring the past. In the spirit of Franklin the printer, each artist has worked under the framework of making an artistic multiple employing a variety of mediums from etchings to work in ceramics so that a set of work from the exhibit can be exchanged among all of the participants. Finally, a website has been created for the exhibit to utilize our most contemporary form of publishing. - Kip Deeds, Organizer