Mightier than the Sword: A Celebration of Pen & Ink at Anno Artem

Written By Anthony Nowack

Featuring Joseph Harkanson, Dave Yasenchak, and John Martin — September 26–October 12, 2025, Pottstown, PA

POTTSTOWN, PA — August 25, 2025. Anno Artem presents Mightier than the Sword, a focused exhibition that honors the elemental force of ink on paper. Bringing together Joseph Harkanson, Dave Yasenchak, and John Martin, the show celebrates drawing as both discipline and dare—where a single line can whisper, cut, or carry a story all its own. From meticulous crosshatching to bold, liquid gestures, these works revel in luminous blacks, razor-clean edges, and negative space that invites the eye to do the final editing.

“Pen and ink is the most democratic of tools and one of the most unforgiving,” said the curatorial team at Anno Artem. “These artists lean into that risk. Their drawings read like music you can see—the tempo of the hand, the breath between marks.”

More than a medium survey, Mightier than the Sword underscores ink’s role in culture—from manuscripts and political cartoons to tattoo flash and technical drafts—reminding us that some of history’s most potent ideas traveled first as drawings. The exhibition is designed for seasoned collectors and first-time visitors alike; no insider vocabulary required.

Key Dates & Details

  • On view: Friday, September 26 – Sunday, October 12, 2025

  • Opening day gathering: Friday, September 26 at 6:00PM

  • Closing gathering: Sunday, October 12 at 2:00 PM

  • Venue: Anno Artem, 1 Security Plaza, Suite 202, Pottstown, PA 19464

  • Press preview: Available by appointment. High-resolution images upon request.

Exhibition Highlights

  • Three artists, three temperaments: Harkanson’s precise architectures, Yasenchak’s kinetic mark-making, and Martin’s whimsical narratives.

  • The drama of black and white: High-contrast compositions and the eloquence of negative space.

  • Process on view: Sketch studies and working notes that reveal how a drawing finds its edge.

About ANNO ARTEM

Anno Artem is a contemporary art gallery in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, dedicated to connecting avant‑garde practices with the local community. With a mission to demystify the art world and invite broader audiences into the conversation, the gallery presents exhibitions, programs, and resources that support artists and welcome collectors, design enthusiasts, and the art-curious alike. Address: 1 Security Plaza, Suite 202, Pottstown, PA 19464.

Anthony Nowack
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