Patrick Wesley Murphy Memorial Scholarship is a 'sense of wonder'

Dr. Rich and Cindy Greenlee will be exhibiting their nature photographs and quilts at the Ohio University Eastern Art Gallery Monday, Feb. 10 through Thursday, March 5.  The exhibit titled, “A Sense of Wonder: The Birds, Butterflies and Wildlife of OUE and Beyond.” The community is invited to attend an opening reception for the artists that will be held on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m.

The Patrick Wesley Murphy Memorial Scholarship was established by the Greenlees to provide a scholarship for a social work student at the Ohio University Eastern campus.  

“Our grandson, Patrick, was an inspiration to all who had the opportunity to know him during his all too short life of two years,” said the Greenlees. “Patrick taught us the essence of being in the moment and taking time to reflect upon the little things in life whether he was intensely studying a twig he found under an old oak tree, checking out the workings of a pair of binoculars, or dancing to a fiddle tune on a wooden dance floor.” 

“Usually the grandparent determines what the grandchildren will call their grandfather. In my case, Patrick decided what I was to be called,” Rich Greenlee said. “For some unknown reason, Patrick christened me ‘Poopa.’ I cherish this title more than all others for it was given out of love when Patrick would say, ‘Where’s Poopa?’ and I would respond, ‘I’m here Patrick.’ In time, his grandmother became known as ‘Mooma.’”

“This show is our way of paying tribute to Patrick and to remind all of us to relish each moment and pause to appreciate the sense of wonder that surrounds us in the natural world. We hope that you can visit the gallery and take time to study each photograph taken by Poopa that captured a moment in time of a butterfly, bird or other wildlife.  Or enjoy the handmade quilts of birds and butterflies carefully stitched by Mooma,” he added.

The community is invited to consider purchasing one of the photographs or quilts. All proceeds from the sale of any of the art will go to support the scholarship in Patrick’s name. If you are unable to attend the reception or visit the gallery and would like to make a donation to the scholarship fund directly you may do so by going to www.ohio.edu/give. During the exhibition, the scholarship will be listed in the pull-down menu. Before or after the exhibition, you may click on the give now button, select the fund is not listed, and type in Patrick Wesley Murphy Memorial Scholarship. 

The Ohio University Eastern Art Gallery is open to the public and admission is free. It is located on the second floor of Shannon Hall and is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Contact oueartgallery@ohio.edu for more information.

Ohio University Eastern is conveniently located off of I70, exit 213, just west of the Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville.