Patricia House, executive director and founder of the nonprofit Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County, spoke nearly 10 years ago about the plans she had for Linn House, located at 133 Allegheny Street in Bellefonte. She said her dream was to turn it into a viable art museum and a space for the whole community to share activities and culture.
Over the next nine-plus years, she achieved her dream.
House gives Phil and Judith Seig credit for much of her success. The Louise Bloom Seig Gallery, named for Phil Seig’s mother, was created from a collection of hand sculptures that belonged to Judith O’Donnell Seig. “Hands, Objects of Art,” has been enjoyed by hundreds of visitors to the BAM. And, following Judith Seig’s death in August 2013, the family chose to match contributions to BAM for five years.
Prior to creating BAM, House was the executive director of the Muckenthaler Cultural Center and Historic House Foundation in Fullerton, Calif. She previously was president of the Asia Pacific Museum in Pasadena, Calif., director of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, N.M., and vice president for programs and development at Bowers Museum of Cultural Art in Santa Ana, Calif.
While in Santa Ana, House led a committee to plan and open the first Museum for Latin American Art in southern California. For this, the state legislature and the County Hispanic Citizens Committee recognized and honored her.
House moved to Centre County 12 years ago to be closer to her son, but continued for a time to go back and forth to California.
“I realized there were no art galleries in Bellefonte — none. The idea continued to grow that just as many people are drawn to the beauty of the architecture and flavor of Bellefonte, it should become a destination for art lovers also,” she said.
With much of her own money, she has advanced her dream of creating a space for local artists to show their work, but also a place to bring in global art. Over the last few years, she has had shows from the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, Cuba and Japan, as well as a show of wearable art from more than 30 countries. Some of the shows she has arranged include “Art to Honor and Remember,” an international collection of medallic art works; “Saddle Up: Western Art and Artifacts;” “Abstract Art: Painting What We Feel;” and “The Artwork of Billy Mills.”
Currently, eight galleries exhibit works by local artists from the Artist Registry. The shows change monthly and include photography and jewelry. There are 512 members, 112 volunteers and 162 artists on the juried registry. Lori Fisher is the museum’s only full-time employee. The first Sunday of each month usually includes a new show and an art activity on the second floor for kids.
This year, House asked registry artists to create new pieces of art inspired by animals. The result is “Talk to the Animals II,” curated by Dottie Ford and running through Saturday, Dec. 23. All art, cards, ornaments, jewelry and prints will all be available for purchase, just in time for Bellefonte’s Victorian Christmas shoppers.
House has big plans for 2018, which marks the 10th anniversary of BAM, including a summer project called “An Imagination Celebration.”
“This will include art fun for everyone,” said House. Participants of all ages will be invited to create at the museum. Visitors will be able to make crafts to take with them, as well as contribute to works such as murals, rugs and a totem pole that will be built over the two-monthlong celebration.
Each of the creative experiences in the galleries will rise out of the inspiration of an internationally known artist. Some examples include:
■ Windows Gallery — Painting of murals inspired by Diego Rivera and creating wood assemblage art inspired by Pablo Picasso
■ Community Gallery — Adding dots to the Infinity Room, inspired by artist Yayoi Kasuma
■ Photography Gallery — Photo wall and wishing tree inspired by Yoko Ono and “life circles” inspired by Native American tradition
■ Children’s Centre — Lego paintings inspired by artist Ai Weiwei
■ Tea Room — Mobile art inspired by Alexander Calder There is a full schedule of events for 2018, and in January and February “The First Decade at the Museum: Portraits and Posters” celebrates the first nine years of the BAM and includes self-portraits done by artists from the Artist Registry.
“I have three main goals going forward,” said House. “I want to develop a program that involves the community working together. My second goal is to discover ways to market the artist’s work and, thirdly, to establish an endowment to ensure the ongoing success of the museum.”
