If you want to explore quality artwork and get off campus, try planning a visit to the Allentown Art Museum. Although the Martin Art Gallery in the Center for the Arts is a great place to discover local, international and student artwork, the Allentown Art Museum enables students to immerse themselves in the lively cultural communities of the Lehigh Valley, right in the heart of downtown Allentown.
When asked about her last visit to the museum, Greer Hardy, a sophomore at Muhlenberg, says, “I liked visiting the Allentown Art Museum because it was a chance to see a hidden gem of Allentown. I feel like a lot of students don’t really get to explore Allentown and I was glad to go with my class one afternoon and see what the museum has to offer. Despite its small space, the Allentown Art Museum has a variety of exhibits and powerful pieces. The galleries all feature local works from different areas of Pennsylvania. I love visiting museums and getting to see art whenever I can and with the museum’s proximity to Muhlenberg it gives me a chance to do so.”
(Photo by Greer Hardy)
The museum offers a variety of collections and exhibitions, and events for the public. Every Thursday evening, from 4-8pm, the museum hosts Art @ Night. In addition, the museum also partners with the Civic Theatre for film series. Current exhibitions include: This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement, The Plain and Ornamental Branches: A Sampling of Pennsylvania’s Girlhood Embroideries and Transcultural: A Mural by Rigo Peralta. Permanent collections range from: American and European painting and sculptures, decorative arts, to non-western art, and textile and costumes. For students interested in art, there are also internships available for: art-historical research, program administration, development and design, exhibition development, collection management, community outreach and fundraising, and communication strategy and implementation. Chick here for more information about internship opportunities.
(Photo by Greer Hardy)
Location: 31 N 5th St, Allentown
Prices: Wednesday- Saturday Adults $12, Students $10, free admission Thursday evenings from 4- 8pm and free admission every Sunday from 12-4pm
Museum Hours: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 11am- 4pm, Thursday 11am-8pm and Sunday 12pm- 4pm
Food: When you need a break, head to the Museum Café for a bite to eat. The menu offers soups, salads, sandwiches, paninis and desserts.
Café Hours: Tuesday- Saturday 11am- 3pm and Sundays 12-3pm
Travel Time: Approximately 12 minutes away from Muhlenberg College.
Worth a visit: Absolutely, just ask Greer!