Meet the Artist

Known for lampooning politicians in Kenya's leading newspaper The Nation, world-famous political cartoonist Godfrey Mwampembwa knows a bit about being aware of the world around us, the importance of doing what you love and, well… deadlines.  Earning the title of most respected political cartoonist in Africa, Gado, who is best known by his pen name, combined his love of politics and his talent for drawing into a tremendously rewarding career.

Whether you’re an artist, art-lover, have an affinity for politics or just like cartoons, meet the artist and hear his take on how the creative process flows from original idea to finished work of art. This Sunday, February 5 at 2 pm in the Museum’s Multipurpose Room.

Second Sundays

Join us every second Sunday of the month for Free Family Day! This month, explore one of our favorite pieces in the museum’s collection: H2O vortex. Visitors will also enjoy a guided tour and sneak a peek into our new Kids As Curators exhibit before making their own interactive optical art to take home! The Museum is FREE from 1– 5 pm and the hands-on art making activity will be from 2– 4 pm. For groups of 10 or more, please call ahead, 814.459.5477.

Admission is free for everyone on Wednesdays, 11 am – 5 pm, and every Second Sunday of the month, 1-5 pm.  Donations are always accepted.

On the Big Screen

In conjunction with the Roger Shimomura exhibit on view in the Main Gallery, the Erie Art Museum will screen three short, critically acclaimed films on March 2 at 7pm.

Out of Infamy (17 minutes) chronicles the life of author and civil rights activist Michi Nishiura Weglyn, who gave up a successful career as a costume designer to write one of the most important books on Japanese American internment.

Days of Waiting (28 minutes) tells the story of artist Estelle Ishigo, one of the few caucasians to be interned in the camps, who refused to be separated from her Japanese American husband. She lived with him at Heart Mountain camp in Wyoming, and her sketches and watercolors create a moving portrait in the lives of the internees.

Topaz (58 minutes) explores a war relocation camp in Utah which overnight became the fifth largest city in the state. Filmmaker Ken Verdoia brings the years of wartime imprisonment vividly to life through archive film and photographs as well as interviews with surviving internees.

Ethnic Heritage Ensemble in Concert

Members of the Chicago-based Ethnic Heritage Ensemble are no strangers to Erie, and the jazz trio returns for our favorite February tradition, delivering a fiery afternoon of jazz on the Museum’s stage Sunday, February 19 at 4 pm. Comprised of internationally renowned percussionist Kahil El’ Zabar, Ernest Kahbeer Dawkins (sax) and Corey Wiles (trumpet), the trio seamlessly combines the ancient rhythms of the past with new frontiers of improvisation.

A fanfare of colors, sounds and rhythmical hipness, a performance by the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble is a celebration of deep jazz not to be missed!  Admission is FREE with a suggested $10 donation.

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Think Spring.
Think Art.

The weather is making us think about spring early, and we’re getting ready to launch the new slew of studio art classes offered this March!  The Museum has something for everyone—kids through adult—from photography to clay to blacksmithing and everything in between. Register February 13 through March 19 to receive a $10-off Early Bird Discount on each class.  Check out some brand new classes as well as returning favorites; refer to spring schedule for class descriptions including dates, times, fees, and instructors.  Register online or call 814.459.5477.

Inside the Mind of a 13-Year-Old

For the past eight years, the Museum has featured one truly unique exhibit: Kids as Curators, an exhibit curated by, designed by, and featuring the collections of middle school students. The school exhibits are then professionally installed at the Museum for the community to enjoy. 

Kids As Curators, generously funded by a major grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, is an exhibit that draws from the students’ collections and enables them to think about their “stuff” in an intellectual way. This year’s partners are the wildly creative and brilliant students from Robert Benjamin Wiley Charter School of Excellence, Mill Village Elementary Gifted Program, and Saint Luke School.

The exhibit is open through March 18 in the Hagen Family Gallery.  A public opening will be held during the March 16 Gallery Night from 7-9 pm.

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SAVE THE DATE!

• February 17 from 7–9pm —Artist Fran Schanz will host a book signing in conjunction with his new release, Heart of Art, and & opening reception for 40 works on view at Glass Growers Gallery. Cash bar & food for purchase at the Wave Café.

• February 23 from 7–9pm—Donald Brown, professor from PSU, will present a talk on the ethics of global warming in conjunction with DoubleExposure & Politics of Snow on view in the Bacon Gallery

• March 9 at 8pm — International sensation Bridgman/Packer Dance.  FREE

• March 11 from 1–5pm—Second Sundays is Free Family Day!

• March 16 from 7–10pm—Tour local art venues at Gallery Night.

• March 29 at 7pm —Emily Hubley, Spring Show Juror, will speak at Edinboro, Doucette Hall Room 119.

• March 30 at 7pm —Precious Vida Yamaguchi, PhD will speak at EAM, scholar on Japanese-American internment during WWII.

Every Little Bit Counts!
The Erie Art Museum is in the process of ensuring that the ongoing $11 million expansion achieves its potential to enrich a community and the lives of generations to come.  Please donate to the Capital Campaign today! Your gift makes a difference!

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