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Opening Reception 2 p.m. Sept. 14 | Goppert Gallery

(Leavenworth, Kan.)—Kansas City native Ashley Arnett-Shipley will bring her artwork to the University of »¨½·Ö±²¥ for a two-month exhibition entitled "To Bind."

In the series, she combines synthetic and natural materials to evoke connection and collectivism with rituals of interconnectedness.

"To Bind" is free and open to the public on weekdays from Sept. 14-Nov. 18 in the Xavier Hall Goppert Gallery on USM's Main Campus in Leavenworth at 4100 South 4th Street. USM will host an opening reception at 2 p.m. on Sept. 14. 

"Kindred to the unseen network of each human being to the universe, I view each form as a link, or connection, of a single entity to the greater whole," Arnett-Shipley said. "Each form possesses deeper consideration of symbolism in terms of the way they are pieced/knotted, shape, color, and from what source that color was achieved.

Many colors were attained with natural dyestuff either grown from seed or foraged. To sew, to dye, to knot, to bind, to forage, to plant a garden … all hold mysterious potential, justifications for hope. We must employ our values and passions towards collectivism in order to be prosperous."

Arnett-Shipley earned a BFA in textile design from the University of Kansas and has worked in textile design for more than 10 years.

The »¨½·Ö±²¥ is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of »¨½·Ö±²¥ main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM's Overland Park Campus at 4500 College Boulevard offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit  for more information.