(Leavenworth, Kansas) – The University of Saint Mary will open its 2025-26 Goppert Gallery season with “Timeless Fashion,” an exhibition from alumna Sally Dill, a New York City-based artist.

The exhibition includes 20 illustrations along with three supporting pieces produced by Dill in her 1965–67 fashion illustration courses taught by Sister Mary Rebecca Conner, past chair of the art department. Dill came across this body of work in her archives, which prompted her to reach out to the Saint Mary Art Department. She recalled the words of Donald Tefft, her other art instructor during her college years, in which he implored students, “never throw away your artwork.” 

“Timeless Fashion” will be on display from Oct. 14-Nov. 25 in the Xavier Hall Goppert Gallery on USM's Main Campus in Leavenworth – 4100 South 4th Street. USM will host an Opening Reception on Oct. 14 from 2-6 p.m. in the Goppert Gallery, and Dill will give an artist talk at 4 p.m. Live music from Dr. Joseph Dorsten and refreshments will be provided.

These 20 illustrations on paper are done in the media of ink, charcoal, watercolor, graphite, oil pastel, and fabric. They are archivally matted and framed in maple under plexiglass, with the average size being 25 inches x 19 inches. In support of three illustrations, there are small, framed pieces (11.75 inches x 9.25 inches) of original magazine clippings showing the costume.

All sales of the artwork will be donated to the USM Art Department.

Dill is a 1967 graduate of Saint Mary College with a B.A. in art and a minor in secondary education. She taught art on the secondary and elementary levels in Blue Springs, Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri, and New York City. She settled in New York and embarked on a career as a studio artist in the late 1980s to the present.

The University of Saint Mary is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of Saint Mary main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM-Johnson County, at 11221 Roe Ave., offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit stmary.edu for more information.