Mickalene Thomas. Afro Goddess Looking Forward, 2015. Rhinestones, acrylic, and oil on wood panel.
In the mood to indulge and experience some Museum exhibits in Philly this fall? We’ve accumulated some highlights for art-lovers and curious minds in 2024.
The Barnes announced plans to present the first major international tour focused on the work of pioneering artist Mickalene Thomas. Titled ‘Mickalene Thomas: All About Love‘, this particular exhibition will be on site at the Foundation from Oct. 20 to Jan. 12, 2025 and will cover Thomas’ work, with influences ranging from 19th-century paintings to popular culture.
The Philly debut of these 50 works by Thomas will span paintings, collages, photography, videos, and site-specific installations. Locals will find rhinestoned, large-scale painted tableauxs alongside bold, intimate compositions throughout the exhibit.
And as a release notes, whether in imaginative dialogue with canonical works from the history of art, or playfully reckoning with popular culture and erotica, Thomas’s portraitures offer an empowered vision of beauty and desire, formulated through a sensual, Black feminist lens.
2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, barnesfoundation.org
Families looking to check out some museum exhibits in Philly this fall can head to the Please Touch Museum for an exhibition tackling feelings. Titled ‘XOXO: An Exhibit About Love & Forgiveness’, this showcase will open Sept. 27 at the venue and run until next year (Jan. 12.) While here, visitors can share, listen, connect, ask, and learn about feelings and emotions through facial expressions, words, movement, art making and other hands-on activities.
“Children are growing up in a time that may feel confusing and complicated,” said Patricia D. Wellenbach, President & CEO of the Please Touch Museum in a statement. “An exhibit like XOXO creates an opportunity for children and their grownups to discover the power of love and forgiveness, and how it can strengthen connections with friends, family, and in our community. We welcome families of all ages to visit the Museum to share messages of hope, love, empathy, and forgiveness, and learn how it can impact the world around them.”
More information can be found online.
4231 Avenue of the Republic, pleasetouchmuseum.org
Beginning Sept. 20, the Philadelphia Magic Gardens’ indoor exhibition space will be filled with work by London-based mixed-media artist, designer, and creator, Stephen Wright.
‘Walking Round My Head: Works by Stephen Wright’ is an imaginative exhibit featuring fantasy and whimsical elements through mixed-media portrait drawings, masks, tapestries, and textile figures that combine elements from Wright’s traditional design background and the abstract art environment he created.
The exhibition at PMG illustrates how Wright’s creative process starts with drawings of imaginative creatures, reflecting his daily interactions and thoughts. Building on these sketches, Wright brings his visions to life with bright, painted masks and figures that resemble animals, people, and fantastical beings.
1020 South St., phillymagicgardens.org
This fall, a new exhibition will call the cruiser ‘Olympia’ home in a partnership with the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia. ‘Philippine-American War (1899-1902): Complex Symbols & Conflicting Relationships’ will open on Oct. 10 and be on site at the ISM until Dec. 31.
As a release notes, told in four sections, the exhibit will first place in context the shifting of power between Spain, the Philippines and the United States of America in the outcome of the Spanish-American War as well as introduce visitors to the islands of the Philippines and key figures of the time.
The other three sections will cover the First Philippine Republic and the 1899 Battle of Manila, tackle a look at the United States’ and the Philippines’ positions, and showcase the lasting effects of the conflict, subsequent imperialism and the continued relationship between the countries.
211 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, phillyseaport.org
Morton Contemporary Gallery has partnered with the PA Innocence Project to present ‘We Are All Doing Time’ as a way to showcase art’s “powerful role in advocating for social justice.”
As a release notes, each artist (all of whom are local to Philadelphia) brings to their canvas a deeply personal story and perspective on what life behind bars feels like, looks like, and how it impacts the lives of loved ones. Two of the artists will die in prison, and three served respectively 10, 27 (wrongfully incarcerated) and 31 years (this artist has one a Pulitzer Prize). The sixth artist’s ex-fiance was in prison for 5 years, and she stood by him every day, but on the day of his release he broke up with her.
“We Are All Doing Time’ is open now through Sept. 30.
115 S 13th St., mortoncontemporary.com
The Penn Museum located in West Philadelphia focuses on archaeology and anthropology, but the venue also hosts a lot of events that are perfect for all ages. For one, on Sept. 21, local families can head to the cultural institution to check out ‘Unpacking the Past’, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., brings archaeological collections to life for middle school students studying the ancient world. Activities on this particular date include family-friendly tours, hands-on activities, free soft pretzels and more. Museum admission is also included in this event, so after checking it out, families can explore Penn as a whole.
Later this fall, locals can also head to Penn on Saturday, Oct. 26 to check out the 13th annual CultureFest! Día de los Muertos event in partnership with the Mexican Cultural Center. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can check out an artisan marketplace, join in on activities, view performances (spanning music, dance and clowns), receive free samples of “Day of the Dead” bread and Mexican hot chocolate, and more.
3260 South St., penn.museum
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