News for Immediate Release
January 28, 2014
State Museum of Pennsylvania Announces February Highlights
Harrisburg – The State Museum of Pennsylvania today announced its program schedule for February 2014:
Community Free Day: Featuring the African American Read-In. Created by the National Council of Teachers of English, the Read-In promotes literacy and celebrates the accomplishments of African-American authors and illustrators. This will be the 17th year for the Read-In which features a number of local African American authors and illustrators, providing examples of their work to aspiring authors during the program. Every child who attends will receive a free book. Saturday, Feb. 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum admission is free for the day.
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 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.
Learn at Lunchtime: The Giant Traveling Map of Pennsylvania will be in Memorial Hall for visitors to explore the terrain and geography that makes the state unique. Friday, Feb. 14, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Museum admission is free during the hours of the event.
Exhibitions on Screen: The Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM) presents Exhibitions on Screen, a film series by award-winning documentarian Phil Grabsky. This ground-breaking trio of films 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 the curators and exhibition designers. This fascinating series, taking place over a series of Sundays, begins with an introduction by Troy M. Thomas, associate professor of art history and humanities at Penn State Harrisburg. Featured artists and museums include:
- Sunday, Feb. 16, “Manet: Portraying Life from the Royal Academy of Arts,” London
- Sunday, Feb. 23, “Munch 150: From the Munch Museum and National Museum,” Oslo
- Sunday, March 2, “Vermeer and Music: the Art of Love and Leisure from the National Gallery,” London
Programs begin at 2 p.m. Admission for a single show with State Museum or SAM membership is $10; single show without membership, $12; complete series with membership is $25; complete series without membership, $30.
3rd in the Burg: Join State Museum staff and volunteers with open galleries and special presentations throughout the evening of Friday, Feb. 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Museum admission is free during the hours of the event. “3rd in the Burg” is a monthly celebration of Harrisburg’s arts and entertainment.
StoryTime, A Curiosity Connection Reading Series: The State Museum will kick-off its popular children’s book reading program on Friday, Feb. 28 from 10 to 11 a.m. The featured book is “Peter’s Chair” by Ezra Jack Keats. Suggested for ages 3-5 years, but all ages are welcome. Free with museum admission. Featured books in March include:
- 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 State Planetarium: Bigger, Brighter, Bolder! The State Museum presents its Planetarium XD, featuring the latest in projection technology. Shows offered through Feb. 23 include:
“Star Stories of the Native Americans” (grade 2 and up): Explore the night sky legends of the Native Americans. Hear the stories of the great sky bear, the frog sisters and the pathway of souls. Take a close-up view of these amazing celestial sights and learn about the modern astronomy behind the legends. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.
“We are Astronomers” (grade 4 and up): An amazing look at the global collaboration, technology, and dedication required to answer the unresolved questions of the Universe. Explore how astronomers use the electromagnetic spectrum to study the Universe and hear from these scientists about the challenges they face in sharing and storing data. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, noon; Saturday, 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.
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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