News for Immediate Release
February 26, 2014
State Museum of Pennsylvania Announces March Highlights
Harrisburg – The State Museum of Pennsylvania today announced its program schedule for March 2014:
Chairs from the Collection of The State Museum: This exhibit features a variety of chairs from the museum’s collection including large and small, plain and fancy and practical and whimsical. It mirrors the depth of other collections in the museum’s holdings, and represents the diversity of Pennsylvania, its artisans and cultures over the past 300 years. On exhibit through Sunday, April 27.
The Doshi Gallery at The State Museum of Pennsylvania: The Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM) presents its latest Doshi Gallery exhibit at The State Museum, “Lost World/Found World.” Artists have long delighted in the “lost and found” whether it is through a line, color or a concept. Both abstract and representational, this body of work can be associated with exodus and arrival, searching and awakening and beholding a new reality. Visitors are invited to seek out the lost and show what they’ve found. On exhibit through Sunday, June 1.
Exhibitions on Screen: On Sunday, March 2, The Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM) presents “Vermeer and Music: The Art of Love and Leisure from the National Gallery, London” as the final segment of a three-part film series entitled “Exhibitions on Screen.”
This ground-breaking film series by award-winning documentarian Phil Grabsky seamlessly connects three major exhibitions from around the world. World-renowned art historian Tim Marlow guides viewers through each extraordinary exhibition utilizing cutting-edge digital cinema technology, giving the viewer access to the exhibition in stunning detail. Viewers can see exclusive behind-the-scenes moments of the exhibition’s preparation, which normally go unseen by the public.
It includes interviews with curators and exhibition designers. This fascinating program begins with an introduction by Troy M. Thomas, associate professor of art history and humanities at Penn State Harrisburg. The program begins at 2 p.m. Admission for a single show with State Museum or SAM membership is $10; single show without membership, $12
The South Central Pennsylvania Scholastic Arts Awards Exhibit: The Arts Awards exhibit will display the winners in the Arts Awards program, selected from more than 850 works submitted by students in grades 7 through 12 from Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lebanon, Perry and York Counties. The Arts Awards Exhibit will be on display from March 8 through April 27.
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is the largest, longest running, and most prestigious student recognition program in the country; the South Central Pennsylvania affiliate is managed by Commonwealth Connections Academy, a cyber-charter school located in Harrisburg.
Charter Day at the State Museum: On Sunday, March 9, The State Museum, Pennsylvania State Archives and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission celebrate “Charter Day,” a commemoration of the granting of the colony’s charter to founder William Penn by King Charles II of England in 1681. This free-admission day will feature a display of the handwritten final draft of the charter (On exhibit February 28-March 9), and numerous other activities including visits to the Curiosity Connection, Planetarium and galleries. Special tours will be led by Harrisburg Sci-Tech High students.
Guests can meet “William Penn,” portrayed by William C. Kashatus, and hear tales of bygone days told by storyteller “Pennsylvania Jack,” performed by John T. Graham. The Victorian Dance Ensemble will also perform.
PHMC staff and professionals from the region’s many historical societies will also be available to answer questions. Pennsylvania’s 2013 National History Day winners will also attend.
Learn at Lunchtime: Explore The State Museum for free on the second and fourth Friday in March from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. In addition to The State Museum’s permanent and changing galleries, special programming is offered at noon.
Friday, March 14 - The United States Air Force Langley Winds
Langley Winds features the diverse talents of professional airman-musicians whose commitment to excellence has earned worldwide acclaim and military distinction. Langley Winds presents polished and passionate performances of woodwind ensemble compositions as well as transcriptions and patriotic favorites. Enjoy hearing these virtuosic orchestral solo instruments in an intimate chamber music setting. The concert begins at noon in Memorial Hall. Museum admission is free during the hours of the event.
Friday, March 28 - South Central Pennsylvania Scholastic Arts
Join Brock Shelley, instructional coach with Commonwealth Connections Academy and program partner, in the gallery to discuss the history of the program, how it started in PA., famous alumni and some of the art that will be on display. Museum admission is free during the hours of the event.
3rd in the Burg: The South Central Pennsylvania Scholastic Arts Awards exhibit will be featured for the museum’s March 3rd in the Burg program on Friday, March 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Arts awards officials, museum staff and volunteers will be on hand to discuss the exhibit. The Susquehanna Museum of Art’s Doshi Gallery at the State Museum, adjacent to the Arts Awards Exhibit, will present a Doshi Dialogue at 6:30pm. Join featured artist Grace Sachi Troxell for a discussion about the conceptual inspirations and studio processes that influence the creation of her larger-than-life sculptures on display in the exhibit.
Storytime in Curiosity Connection: This popular children’s book reading is for our youngest visitors. Join us in Curiosity Connection from 10 to 11 a.m. on the following days:
Friday, March 7 “Kite Day” by Will Hillenbrand
Friday, March 14 “Machines Go to Work” by William Low
Wednesday, March 19 “Stripes of All Types” by Susan Stockdale
The Planetarium at The State Museum of Pennsylvania Two shows are being offered through June 1. Planetarium shows are $2 per person in addition to general admission; free to State Museum Affiliate Members and Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation Members.
“Passport to the Universe” (grade 4 and up): Narrated by two-time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks, this exhilarating flight through a precise, virtual re-creation of our universe is an astounding visual adventure through space. Travel through our Solar System, out of our galaxy, and deep into intergalactic space to answer the question, “Where are we in the universe? Saturday, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.
“Black Holes: the other side of infinity” (grade 6 and up): Narrated by Liam Neeson, “Black Holes” uses the latest discoveries and observations to help us view the formation of the early universe, star birth and death and the collision of giant galaxies. Experience a simulated flight to the super massive black hole at the center of our own Milky Way Galaxy. Saturday, noon and 2 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.
The State Museum of Pennsylvania, adjacent to the State Capitol in Harrisburg, is one of 25 historic sites and museums administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission as part of the Pennsylvania Trails of History®. The State Museum offers expansive collections interpreting Pennsylvania’s fascinating heritage. With exhibits examining the dawn of geologic time, the Native American experience, the colonial and revolutionary era, a pivotal Civil War battleground, and the Commonwealth's vast industrial age, The State Museum demonstrates that Pennsylvania's story is America’s story.
Museum hours are Wed. through Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for children and senior citizens.
For more information about the museum, visit www.statemuseumpa.org.
Media contact: Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639
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