Abington Art Center facts for kids
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| Established | 1939 |
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| Location | Jenkintown, PA |
| Type | Art center |
The Abington Art Center is a cool place where you can explore art! It was built way back in 1939 and is located in Abington Township, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's set on a big 27-acre property called Alverthorpe Manor, which used to be the home of Lessing J. Rosenwald and his family. At the center, you'll find a studio school, places to see art shows, and even a fun sculpture park. There's even an old-fashioned elevator from the 1930s inside!
How It Started
The Abington Art Center began in 1965 as the Old York Road Art Guild. It was started by a group of women who believed that art could make life better for everyone. They thought creative expression was important for both individuals and the community.
On Christmas Day in 1969, Lessing J. Rosenwald, who collected rare books and prints, and his wife Edith, gave their home, Alverthorpe Manor, to the Abington community. They wanted people to have a place to gather for cultural and fun activities. Soon after, the art center got its first paid director, and the original art guild officially ended.
Growing Over Time
In 1981, the art center grew bigger. It moved into the old gallery wing of Alverthorpe Manor after the Rosenwald Collection was moved to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. This change doubled the space for art classes and allowed more students to join.
A special sculpture garden opened in 1990. In 1996, the art center expanded even more within the building. They started a five-year project to change Alverthorpe Manor from a private home into a public art space. Today, the center has a gallery, six studios, classrooms, and a sculpture park. It also hosts outdoor events all year long.
Art Shows and Community Fun
The Sculpture Park covers 27 acres (110,000 m2) of lawns and woodlands. It has featured amazing artworks by artists like Joy Episalla, Robert Lawrance Lobe, Steven Siegel, Steve Tobin, and Ursula von Rydingsvard.
In 2003, the Abington Art Center planned to turn the Alverthorpe Manor property into a 27-acre "cultural campus" for the community. Leora Brecher, a sculptor who taught ceramics there for 18 years, said the center is special. She noted that it has a studio school, a sculpture garden, and also reaches out to the community.
The center also hosts an annual "Touch the Future" art show. This show displays artwork by talented young artists from the area. In 2005, the state of Pennsylvania promised $500,000 to help the center grow and support the local economy. The first part of this development was finished in 2011.
Images for kids
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The Abington Art Center building.
