Explore Nature vs Nurture with ‘The Creative Genes’ Exhibition at Bucks County Community College

The Hicks Art Center Gallery exhibition. The Creative Genes, starting in December at Bucks County Community College will explore the timeless question of whether creativity is shaped by nature or nurture.

The exhibition, opening on December 3 and running through February 28, highlights historic and contemporary artworks and writing by four groups of artists connected as siblings or family members. Featured pieces include works by individual artists, as well as the Moravian Archives, the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art (PFFCAAA), and the Volta Center for Writing Arts.

The artists shared their experiences and exposure to positive environments that fostered their creative growth. In addition, writers participating in the “Mapping the Headwaters” workshop at the Volta Center for Writing Arts at the College revealed their thoughts about their creative lineage. A booklet compiling the workshop results will be available for free.

It will offer a rare opportunity for visitors to see art pieces drawn from artist studios, archives, and collections, some of which have never been widely exhibited.

The works in the exhibition provide a deeper understanding of relationships between the concepts of nature and nurture in artmaking from a variety of viewpoints, according to Clifford Eberly, the Hicks Art Center Gallery Exhibitions Associate and the curator.

He said “The Creative Genes”  represents his ongoing interest in the necessity to establish safe, creative environments for people to develop positive mental and physical practices through art.

“The absolute key to developing creativity is access to supportive, positive environments,” said Eberly. “You may have parents and grandparents on both sides who were or are creative, but without constructive environments, creativity is less likely to develop. I believe it is vitally important to provide people with tools for creative agency, to improve our collective well-being.”

Participating visual artists include:

• Friedrich Renatus Frueauff and daughter Agnes Clara Frueauff
• Sisters Bernadette McBride and Constance McBride
• Betye Saar and daughters Alison Saar and Lezley Saar
• Carl Wagner and son Kenoka Wagner

“Montmirail” ca. 1856, graphite on paper by Agnes Clara Frueauff, is featured alongside works by her father, Friedrich Renatus Frueauff. Submitted: BCCC

“I felt in love with this piece of you,” a 2017 work in acrylic on fabric over wood panel in an antique frame by Lezley Saar featured alongside works by her mother Betye Saar and sister Alison Saar. Submitted: BCCC

“Abundance,” a 2025 acrylic and collage on canvas by Kenoka Wagner, is featured alongside works by his father Carl Wagner. Submitted: BCCC

An opening reception will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 3. The reception will feature a poetry reading at 5:30 p.m., led by artist and former Bucks County Poet Laureate Bernadette McBride, whose artwork is exhibited alongside that of her sister, Constance McBride.

“Dark Into Light,” mixed media by Bernadette McBride alongside works by her sister Constance McBride. Submitted: BCCC

In addition, the Hicks Art Center is hosting two Family and Friends Creative Lineage Workshops from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, December 13 and from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16. Attendees will be guided to mine their memory to create art and poetry that reflects their connections to relatives and loved ones. Materials will be supplied. Registration is required by emailing gallery@bucks.edu.

Admission to all events is free. Click here to learn more and follow on Instagram at @bcccartscomm.

The Hicks Art Center is located on the east end of the campus at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., 18940, where there is ample free parking. Click here for directions and a campus map.

“The Creative Genes” is supported by the College’s Cultural Affairs Committee and presented by the College’s School of Arts and Communication, which offers eight associate degrees and two certificate programs. Through coursework, exhibitions, and community engagement, the school prepares students for careers in the arts and inspires appreciation for creative expression. To learn more, visit bucks.edu/arts, email arts.comm@bucks.edu, or call 215-968-8425.