in stillness

Solo Exhibition

December 15, 2025 - March 2, 2026

The Silva Gallery of Art, Pennington, NJ

Statement from the gallery

“In Stillness” showcases 35 of Heather Palecek’s artworks spanning six different series, united by their materiality and the slow, meditative pace of their making. The breadth of this work includes a variety of analog historical photographic processes and highlights the artist's spiritual relationship to nature.

Palecek’s profound connection to nature is the foundation of her practice. Attuned to the quiet rhythms of the natural world, she embraces stillness as a catalyst for her artistic methods. Working slowly, with curiosity, and collaborating with natural elements, she creates experimental photographic works that illuminate the complex, interdependent relationship between humans and nature. “In Stillness” invites viewers to pause, observe, and consider a deeper connection with nature.

Artist Reception: January 22, 2026 6-7:30

112 West Delaware Avenue in Pennington, New Jersey

Parking: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ajS7GbDSQAdxftSb7

Press Release

The Silva Gallery of Art at The Pennington School will host “In Stillness,” an exhibition of work by Heather Palecek, from December 15, 2025, through March 2, 2026. Palecek is a classically trained photographer whose approach blends her formal education with a deep love of experimental discovery. Growing up in the woods of northeastern USA, Palecek developed a profound connection to nature, which she categorizes as both spiritual and intellectual. Later, she channeled that connection as a catalyst for artistic expression, using her art to explore the intersection of historical photographic processes and the natural world, highlighting the complex relationships that humans have with nature.

Specializing in pinhole photography, lumen printing, cyanotype, and mixed-media camera-less techniques, she pushes the boundaries of these historical methods in innovative ways, creating art in collaboration with the rhythms of the natural world. Attuned to thesequiet rhythms, Palecek embraces stillness as a catalyst for her artistic methods. Working slowly and mindfully, she accepts the element of chance and allows the surrounding environment to help shape her images. Her work invites viewers to pause and reflect on their own personal relationships with nature, inspiring a deeper mindfulness of environmental stewardship.

Palecek holds a degree in fine art education and photography from Montclair State University. Since 2010, she has been a dedicated high school photography educator in New Jersey, additionally teaching a variety of immersive workshops on alternative and historical photographic processes throughout the region. As the leader of the NJ Pinhole Club, she fosters a vibrant community of photographers. Her award-winning work has been exhibited locally and internationally.

A reception, open to the public, will be held on Thursday, January 22, from 6:00 to 7:30p.m. with remarks by the artist at 7:00 p.m. The Silva Gallery of Art is located on the School’s campus at 112 West Delaware Avenue in Pennington, New Jersey. For further information, please call the Silva Gallery at 609-737-4133 or email SilvaGallery@pennington.org

The Pennington School is an independent coeducational school for students in grades 6 through 12, in both day and boarding programs. The curriculum is college preparatory, with an emphasis on individual excellence, fostering the development of the whole student through academics, athletics, community service, and the creative and performing arts.