Palmer Museum of Art facts for kids
Sandstone facade of the new Palmer Museum of Art in 2023.
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| Established | October 10, 1972 |
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| Location | 650 Bigler Road, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-2507 |
| Type | Art museum |
| Collection size | Nearly 11,000 works |
| Architect | Allied Works |
| Owner | Pennsylvania State University |
| Nearest car park | Parking adjacent |
The Palmer Museum of Art is an art museum located at Pennsylvania State University. You can find it on the University Park campus in State College, Pennsylvania. It's a great place to see many different kinds of art!
Contents
What You Can See: The Collections
The Palmer Museum of Art has a huge collection of almost 11,000 artworks. These pieces come from all over the world and from different times in history.
Art from America and Europe
The museum has many American and European paintings, drawings, and sculptures. You can see early portraits by artists like Gilbert Stuart and Rembrandt Peale. There are also beautiful landscape paintings from the 1800s by artists such as George Inness.
The collection also includes works from the Ashcan School, which showed everyday life in cities. Modern and Postmodern art is also featured, with pieces by famous artists like Alexander Calder and Andy Warhol. You can even find sculptures by Dale Chihuly.
Prints and Photographs
The museum has a large collection of prints. These include American prints and Japanese woodblock prints. There are also many photographs. Some special collections focus on art by women artists.
Art from Around the World
Beyond American and European art, the museum also has art from other cultures. You can see Japanese woodcuts, Asian sculptures, and African sculptures. There are also ancient objects from different parts of the world.
Outdoor Art: The Sculpture Garden
Outside the museum, there is a sculpture garden. Here, you can enjoy art outdoors. You might also notice two large bronze lion's paws near the old museum building. These paws are a fun nod to the Nittany Lion, Penn State's mascot.
Unique Photographs
The museum also has a special collection of "hidden mother photographs." These old photos from the past often show a child with a hidden adult, usually the mother, covered by a blanket or curtain.
Museum History
The Palmer Museum of Art has an interesting history. It has grown and changed over the years.
Early Days and Expansion
The museum first opened in 1972. It was in a building that looked like a simple "box." In 1993, a famous architect named Charles Willard Moore made the museum much bigger. He added many new galleries and a lively entrance area. The museum was renamed to honor James and Barbara Palmer. They gave a large gift to help expand the building.
Leadership and Support
The first director of the museum was William Hull. Today, the director is Erin M. Coe. A group called the "Friends of the Palmer Museum of Art" was started in 1974. This group helps the museum raise money and connect with the public.
A New Home
In 2023, the museum moved to a brand new building. This new home is much larger, with more space for art and educational programs. It is located at 650 Bigler Road, within the Arboretum at Penn State. This new facility helps the museum share even more amazing art with visitors.
