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Kenneth P. McCutchan Art Center/Palmina F. and Stephen S. Pace Galleries

Current Exhibition

Image of crucifiction and image of embellished altar
Magic Realism: New Works by Michael Aakhus
Block & Brush: The Artistry of Japanese Prints and Scrolls
Exhibition | February 16 - March 27, 2026
Reception | 4 p.m., March 4, 2026
The University of Southern Indiana is proud to present Magic Realism: New Works by Michael Aakhus, currently on display at the McCutchan Art Center/Pace (MAC/Pace) Galleries in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center on campus. This exhibition features over 50 artworks created since 2017, including paintings and assemblages, as well as digital photography and collages. Aakhus’s work has always been recognizable for its intense color palette, complex compositions, as well as imagery relating to art history and his extensive travels outside the United States; this exhibition dials those characteristics up to 11.


Paired with Michael Aakhus’ recent works is Block & Brush: The Artistry of Japanese Prints and Scrolls. The exhibition offers a brief history and summarizes thematic narratives of these artforms as practiced in Japan in the 19th and 20th centuries. The prints and scrolls are shared with the University Art Collection by the Michael & Patricia Aakhus Global Art Collection. Aakhus, and his late wife Patricia, former Director of Interdisciplinary Studies at USI, studied diverse cultures around the globe and collected many unique objects.

Gallery Hours & Admission

McCutchan Art Center and Pace Galleries

Gallery Hours

Fall and Spring Semesters

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Monday through Friday
1 - 4 p.m. | Sunday

Summer 

12 - 4 p.m. | Monday through Friday


Gallery Admission

Admission to the Art Center and Galleries is free and open to the public.

If you plan to bring a group of ten or more people to the galleries, please consider contacting the gallery in advance at 812-228-5006.

Getting Here

Pedestrians may enter the McCutchan Art Center and Pace Galleries from the main level or the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center. Find parking locations using our interactive map!

From the main campus:
Enter the Liberal Arts Center through the main or side entrance. Go down the main stairwell in the center of the building. Continue ahead, veering right past the elevators. Turn right around the corner. The Art Center and Galleries entrance should be straight ahead.

From Parking Lot J:
Pedestrians coming from Lot J have two options for entering the Art Center and Galleries:

  • Option A: Enter through the main gallery entrance off of Bent Twig Lane on the west side of the building.
  • Option B: Enter through the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center on the south side of the building, opposite the Business and Engineering Center. Once inside the building, continue to the lower level lobby. Turn left towards Kleymeyer Hall and left again past the elevators. Turn right around the corner. The Art Center and Galleries entrance should be straight ahead.

Visitor Drop-off:

A driveway off of Bent Twig Lane allows visitors to be dropped off directly at the door of the Art Center. After taking the exit to USI, approach the roundabout at the campus entrance and take the first road to the right. Curve around the back of the Health Professions Center and Education and Science Center buildings, and you will see the Liberal Arts Center on your left, opposite Reflection Lake. The McCutchan Art Center and Pace Galleries is located in the central wing on the back of the Liberal Arts Center. The driveway entrance is on the south side.

Our Mission

The mission of the Kenneth P. McCutchan Art Center/Palmina F. and Stephen S. Pace Galleries is to provide educational experiences in the visual arts to the University of Southern Indiana community and the general public.

The gallery further contributes to the education experiences at USI by providing a professional exhibition space to present the work of art majors, alumni, faculty, visiting artists and the University's permanent collection.

The gallery's mission of serving and educating the University and surrounding community in the visual arts are consistently supported by the events hosted in the space.

Connect With
Kenneth P. McCutchan Art Center/Palmina F. and Stephen S. Pace Galleries

(812) 228-5006