Finals are over, birds are singing, and love is in the air— at least love for art!
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) was the first fine art academy and art museum in the United States! There are two incredible buildings dedicated to gallery spaces, and they have recently featured such works as Benjamin West’s Death on a Pale Horse, Thomas Eakins’s The Gross Clinic, and the Guerrilla Girls’ You’re Seeing Less Than Half the Picture.
Bonus: The Cold War era plane sculpture in Lenfest Plaza, between the two museum buildings, contains an active greenhouse! (Grumman Greenhouse by Philly artist Jordan Griska)
Price: Both Buildings of the museum are free with a Rowan University Student ID!
The Philadelphia Museum of Art
You have probably seen this gorgeous building in the famous Rocky stair scene, but the art is good, too. This museum’s floor plan is split up by era and style, creating the opportunity for visitors to choose their own timeline in which to view the art. Currently, the exhibit, Modern Times: American Art 1910-1950, is on display, featuring works like Georgia O’Keeffe’s Peach and Glass and Marcel Duchamp’s Nude Descending Staircase (No. 3).
Price: The first Sunday every month, as well as each Wednesday night, is pay what you wish admission!
The Barnes Foundation
Located just minutes from The Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation began as an arboretum before expanding to an art gallery as well. They have works like Paul Cézanne’s Leda and the Swan, Maria Helena’s Vieira da Silva, and Henri Matisse’s Le Bonheur de vivre, also called The Joy of Life.
Price: $5 with a student ID!