Pennsylvania State Museum to Present Special 'Art of the State' Programs

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In conjunction with the 2011 "Art of the State" exhibition now on display, The State Museum of Pennsylvania will host a three-part series entitled "Artists Conversations" as well as "IdeaZone: Experience the Arts," a hands-on learning space for all ages. The programs will be free with museum admission, and no reservations are required.

"Artists Conversations" will pair a selection of "Art of the State" artists with show jurors and officials sharing their perspectives on the 2011 exhibition. Sculptor Alan Paulson of Gettysburg, a featured artist in the "Art of the State," and Robert Stadnycki, Executive Director, The Greater Harrisburg Arts Council, will collaborate on Sunday, July 17 at 2 p.m. to provide an insightful insiders' tour of the exhibition.  

Alan Paulson, retired Gettysburg College professor of art, holds an MFA in sculpture from the University of Pennsylvania and has had one-man shows in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Kentucky. Robert Stadnycki is also a sculptor and, as executive director of the Greater Harrisburg Arts Council for over 25 years, has been a key organizer of "Art of the State."  

Additional Artists Conversations will be held on Sunday, Aug. 14 at 2 p.m. (artist Robert Stickloon, Pottsville, and juror Maxine Gaiber) and Sunday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. (photographer Lydia Panas, Kutztown, and exhibit juror Ricardo Viera).  

The State Museum's "IdeaZone: Experience the Arts," in conjunction with the Art of the State exhibit, offers an interactive, hands-on learning room for all ages to explore the diverse artistic endeavors taking place around the state. Visitors will discover more about theater, dance, music, media, architecture and fine arts and will also create pieces for a community art wall that will be installed as a mosaic mural at The State Museum. The activity space will open from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from July 9 through Sept. 11.

"Art of the State" is recognized as the official, statewide juried competition for Pennsylvania artists. This year's show, featuring 135 pieces from 133 artists working throughout the state, is on display through Sept. 11. "Art of the State" is co-presented by the Greater Harrisburg Arts Council and The State Museum.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania, located at 300 North Street, is one of 25 historic sites and museums administered by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission as part of the Pennsylvania Trails of History®. It is the commonwealth's official museum, holding 4.5 million objects in its collections. The museum's permanent and temporary exhibits cover 100,000 square feet and feature Pennsylvania's social, industrial and economic history, decorative, fine and industrial arts, and archaeology, zoology and paleontology.

Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 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

SOURCE Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

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