News for Immediate Release
July 29, 2014
Harrisburg – The State Museum of Pennsylvania today announced its program schedule for August 2014:
Art and Barriers: The Susquehanna Art Museum presents “Art and Barriers” in the DOSHI Gallery at The State Museum of Pennsylvania through December 7, 2014. Artists have long been at the forefront of social change through revolutionary and, at times subversive. Contemporary art often acts as a mirror for barriers within all societies, challenging viewers to confront oppressive social, political or cultural divisions. Can art be the catalyst to break down these confines? “Art & Barriers” pays homage to all artists who daily break through limitations of any kind.
Art of the State: The 47th Annual “Art of the State” is recognized as the official, statewide juried competition for Pennsylvania artists. This year's show includes 122 pieces from 114 artists. Jurors selected artwork from five categories: Craft, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Work on Paper. The exhibit will be open to the public through September 14, 2014. “Art of the State” is presented by Jump Street and The State Museum of Pennsylvania.
A Fondness for Birds: Pennsylvania’s Alexander Wilson: This exhibit features bird prints and first edition volumes of the 200-year-old “American Ornithology” series by Wilson, who is considered the father of American ornithology. Also featured are a number of bird specimens from the museum’s Botany and Zoology collections, some of which date to the late 19th century. The specimens underscore the museum’s historic and continuing role in the study of Pennsylvania’s flora and fauna. This exhibit runs through March 15, 2015.
3rd in the Burg: Friday, August 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Join Catherine Prescott, Purchase Prize winner for “Elle,” and Beverly Lichkus, BFA MED, Special Assistant, Art of The State, for an “Artist Conversation” in celebration of the Art of the State exhibition. Ms. Prescott will be discussing her work, inspirations and artistic process. Admission to the museum is free during the hours of the event.
Learn@Lunchtime Summer Series: The State Museum’s Learn@Lunchtime series continues through summer on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with special presentations at 12 noon. Join the museum’s curators and educators to discover exciting new things about Pennsylvania. Admission to the Museum is free during the hours of the event.
• Friday, Aug. 1 – Some Are Frogs, Some Are Not!
Natural Science Curator Dr. Walter Meshaka will be on the 3rd Floor to discuss Pennsylvania frogs.
• Friday, Aug. 8 – When Pennsylvania Was Covered with Water
Get an overview of Pennsylvania during the Paleozoic Era.
• Friday, Aug. 15 – Objects of Valor
Curatorial Supervisor Brad Smith provides insight on how Pennsylvania has remembered and commemorated the Civil War.
• Friday, Aug. 22 – “Learn@Lunchtime Visitor’s Pick”
You decide! Be sure to vote as you attend other Learn@Lunchtime events this summer. Whatever you select through the voting process will be happening this day!
Summer Storytime Series in Curiosity Connection: The State Museum’s summer children’s book-reading program continues on Thursday, August 7. Featuring a different book each week, readings begin at 10:00 a.m. and are followed by a related activity. Suggested for children 3-5 years, but all ages are welcome. Free with museum admission.
The six week summer series features:
- Thursday, Aug. 7 - “Birds” by Kevin Henkes
- Thursday, Aug. 14 - “Machines Go to Work in the City” by William Low
- Thursday, Aug. 21 - “Stars” by Mary Lyn Ray
Archaeology at Kipona Festival: From August 30 through September 1, join The State Museum of Pennsylvania’s Section of Archaeology at the Kipona Festival on City Island. They will present an interactive exhibit on the archaeology of City Island. This will feature artifacts recovered in over ten years of excavation on the island including a unique set of 4,000-year-old woodworking tools. The ever popular dugout canoe will also be on display. The State Museum archaeologists will be on site to answer questions. Brochures on the archaeology of Pennsylvania will be available.
The Planetarium at The State Museum of Pennsylvania: The Planetarium is offering two shows through August 31:
“Legends of the Night Sky: Perseus and Andromeda” (Pre-K to grade 2): Specially designed for our youngest visitors, this is a fun-filled, animated show that tells the tale of the beautiful princess Andromeda, who in divine punishment for her mother’s bragging is sacrificed to a sea monster and rescued by the Greek hero Perseus. Learn how these Greek mythological characters came to be placed in the night sky.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 1 p.m.
Saturday, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.
“Dynamic Earth” (grade 4 and up): Narrated by Liam Neeson, “Dynamic Earth” explores the inner workings of Earth's climate system. With visualizations based on satellite monitoring data and advanced supercomputer simulations, this cutting-edge production follows a trail of energy that flows from the Sun into the interlocking systems that shape our climate: the atmosphere, oceans and the biosphere.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 2 p.m.
Saturday, 12 noon and 2 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.
Planetarium shows are $2 per person in addition to general admission; free to State Museum Affiliate Members and Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation Members.
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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