The Palmer Museum of Art is marking the United States’ 250th anniversary with its first open-call juried exhibition, highlighting work by 50 artists from Penn State and Central Pennsylvania.
“Dreaming American Futures: Invitational 250” is now open and will remain on view through Nov. 29. The exhibition features 59 contemporary works selected from nearly 300 submissions and examines themes including democracy, identity, immigration, community and the evolving American experience.
The exhibition includes paintings, sculptures, photography, ceramics and mixed-media pieces by Penn State students, faculty and alumni from across Pennsylvania, as well as artists from within 50 miles of State College.
“In the spirit of democracy, we wanted to invite artists to submit works that reflect on what life is like in the United States and what futures can unfold here,” Palmer Museum Director Amanda H. Hellman said in a statement. “This is the first open-call juried show we’ve had at the Palmer, so we are thrilled to be able to display works made for the people, by the people, in our community this year.”
Five jurors selected the featured works, organizing them around four main themes: Activating Change, Bridging the Divide, Pursuit of Happiness and A More Perfect Union. The themes selected were inspired by hundreds of responses from visitors during a Palmer exhibition last summer reflecting the nation’s history and future.
The exhibition encourages visitors to view the country’s history and milestones through personal stories and lived experiences.
“I was impressed with the thought-provoking variety of submissions,” Janine Yorimoto Boldt, the museum’s curator of American art and one of the exhibition’s jurors, said. “The selected artworks provide insight into some of the issues that most affect our community, our neighbors and Penn State students. Even though we are living through a challenging moment, the exhibition is ultimately hopeful about our shared future.”
For Adwar Oguttuh,a recent Penn State graduate and one of the featured artists, two themes stood out as particularly meaningful.
“At a time when division often dominates public discourse, the themes ‘Activating Change’ and ‘Bridging the Divide’ feel especially relevant because they invite us to see one another more fully,” Oguttuh said. “I hope visitors leave with a greater awareness of the unseen stories and burdens people carry and with a renewed sense of connection, recognizing that many of the burdens we carry in silence are more universal than we often realize.”
Artist Furong Zhang said her work reflects her experience as a Chinese American immigrant.
“The United States is a nation built by immigrants,” Zhang said. “My painting ‘The Chaotic Stage’ is deeply rooted in my personal Chinese American immigrant journey, capturing the complex web of memories, emotions and cultural rebirth that occurs when immigrating to a new country.”
The exhibition is accompanied by a series of free public events throughout the summer and fall, beginning with 250 Community Day on Thursday, July 2.
From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., the museum will celebrate the opening of “Dreaming American Futures” with a free day of activities for all ages. Visitors can explore the exhibition, create art, hear readings of historic American speeches and declarations, attend a gallery conversation with participating artists and enjoy complimentary hot dogs, ice cream, cookies and other refreshments. Parking will be free all day.
At 1 p.m., community leaders, including State College Mayor Ezra Nanes, Charles Dumas and Webster’s Bookstore Cafe President Elaine Meder-Wilgus, will read the Declaration of Independence and speeches by Frederick Douglass, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and other American activists. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided.
Starting at 6 p.m., several artists featured in the gallery will discuss their work and the exhibition’s themes alongside Penn State communication arts professor and author Jeremy David Engels and Palmer Assistant Director Joyce Robinson.
On Sunday, July 12, at 2 p.m., museum guides will lead a free hourlong tour exploring American art through the lens of social history with opportunities for discussion and close looking.
The Palmer Museum and the Arboretum at Penn State will host “Art After Hours: Block pARTy” an evening of art-making activities, live music, refreshments and opportunities to explore museum collections and gardens on Thursday, July 30 from 5 to 8 p.m.
A free guided tour will focus on contemporary American art featured throughout the museum at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9.
Artists featured in Dreaming American Futures will discuss their work, creative process and the ideas behind the exhibition during two informal gallery conversations held at noon and 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14.
Admission to the gallery and its related programming is free and open to the public.
