Upcoming events
Second Sunday
Second Sundays are a perfect way to spend time creating in the Museum with your family and loved ones! Admission is pay-what-you-wish, and donations are appreciated. Each Second Sunday of the month, from 2 – 4 pm.
Create a zine using mixed media
Programming supported by Erie Insurance
Adaptive Art: Free Visual Arts Class for Adults with Disabilities (18+)
Adaptive Art takes place on the second Friday of each month, from 10:30 am – 12 pm.
Adaptive Art is a monthly visual arts and creativity class designed for adults (18+) with disabilities. Thanks to a generous grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities, registration is currently free while funds last. In this class, participants will explore various adaptive mediums such as movement, drawing, painting, and poetry to find new ways of self-expression and PLAY alongside talented and passionate teacher, Sara Fisher. Don't miss this opportunity to discover the joy of art in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Parking & Accessibility Notice
Please note Adaptive Art program on August 14th takes place during CelebrateErie, when downtown Erie experiences increased traffic, road closures, and larger crowds. As a result, navigating to the Museum may take a little longer than usual and may present additional accessibility considerations for some participants.
We recommend allowing extra travel time and parking in the 5th & Peach Parking Garage, which offers convenient access to the Museum.
We appreciate your patience and look forward to welcoming you!
Adaptive Art: Free Visual Arts Class for Adults with Disabilities (18+)
Adaptive Art takes place on the second Friday of each month, from 10:30 am – 12 pm.
Adaptive Art is a monthly visual arts and creativity class designed for adults (18+) with disabilities. Thanks to a generous grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities, registration is currently free while funds last. In this class, participants will explore various adaptive mediums such as movement, drawing, painting, and poetry to find new ways of self-expression and PLAY alongside talented and passionate teacher, Sara Fisher. Don't miss this opportunity to discover the joy of art in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Parking & Accessibility Notice
Please note Adaptive Art program on August 14th takes place during CelebrateErie, when downtown Erie experiences increased traffic, road closures, and larger crowds. As a result, navigating to the Museum may take a little longer than usual and may present additional accessibility considerations for some participants.
We recommend allowing extra travel time and parking in the 5th & Peach Parking Garage, which offers convenient access to the Museum.
We appreciate your patience and look forward to welcoming you!
Gallery Night
Gallery Night is a citywide celebration of art. Businesses and local galleries and venues will remain open with some hosting their own events. Shop, eat, listen to music, and spend time with friends and family visiting as many local galleries as you can. There’s no better way to get a feel for Erie’s art and culture scene!
Second Sunday
Second Sundays are a perfect way to spend time creating in the Museum with your family and loved ones! Admission is pay-what-you-wish, and donations are appreciated. Each Second Sunday of the month, from 2 – 4 pm.
Programming supported by Erie Insurance
Patricia Bellan-Gillen: Artist Talk
Patricia Bellan-Gillen, whose exhibition Monsters, Beloveds and Invisible Whales is on view in the Main Gallery through March 2027, will give an artist talk on Sunday, October 18, from 2–4 PM. Bellan-Gillen will speak about the drawings and mixed media works in the show, which mine personal narrative, fairytale, and pop-culture ephemera in pursuit of what the artist calls "a weird elegance." It's a chance to go beyond a single look at the work and hear directly from the artist behind it.
Free for members. Standard Museum admission applies for non-members.
Access For All
The Art Bridges Foundation ‘Access for All’ initiative brings you free admission to the Museum the first Thursday of each month from 11 am – 3 pm and the third Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm.
Explore the Museum, participate in free art crafts, and more!
Second Sunday
Second Sundays are a perfect way to spend time creating in the Museum with your family and loved ones! Admission is pay-what-you-wish, and donations are appreciated. Each Second Sunday of the month, from 2 – 4 pm.
Transform an ordinary milk or juice carton into a spooky, or silly, haunted house
Programming supported by Erie Insurance
Adaptive Art: Free Visual Arts Class for Adults with Disabilities (18+)
Adaptive Art takes place on the second Friday of each month, from 10:30 am – 12 pm.
Adaptive Art is a monthly visual arts and creativity class designed for adults (18+) with disabilities. Thanks to a generous grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities, registration is currently free while funds last. In this class, participants will explore various adaptive mediums such as movement, drawing, painting, and poetry to find new ways of self-expression and PLAY alongside talented and passionate teacher, Sara Fisher. Don't miss this opportunity to discover the joy of art in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Parking & Accessibility Notice
Please note Adaptive Art program on August 14th takes place during CelebrateErie, when downtown Erie experiences increased traffic, road closures, and larger crowds. As a result, navigating to the Museum may take a little longer than usual and may present additional accessibility considerations for some participants.
We recommend allowing extra travel time and parking in the 5th & Peach Parking Garage, which offers convenient access to the Museum.
We appreciate your patience and look forward to welcoming you!
Design and Social Justice with Shelle Barron
Join Shelle Barron (emeritus professor of design and visual artist) for a visual lecture on activism in graphic design and its ability to alter opinions and perceptions. Historically, design has been used as an agent for propaganda as well as social justice. A comprehensive survey of the effect of design on protest and social movements will ask the question: in today’s world (flooded with social media and artificial intelligence) can design make a difference in the public’s perception of contemporary issues, or even change minds in an election year?
Free for members. Standard Museum admission applies for non-members.
Access For All
The Art Bridges Foundation ‘Access for All’ initiative brings you free admission to the Museum the first Thursday of each month from 11 am – 3 pm and the third Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm.
Explore the Museum, participate in free art crafts, and more!
Access For All
The Art Bridges Foundation ‘Access for All’ initiative brings you free admission to the Museum the first Thursday of each month from 11 am – 3 pm and the third Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm.
Explore the Museum, participate in free art crafts, and more!
Gallery Night
Gallery Night is a citywide celebration of art. Businesses and local galleries and venues will remain open with some hosting their own events. Shop, eat, listen to music, and spend time with friends and family visiting as many local galleries as you can. There’s no better way to get a feel for Erie’s art and culture scene!
Opening Reception: Between Here and Elsewhere
Celebrate the opening of Between Here and Elsewhere: A Portrait of the New American Experience. Curator Maria Ferguson will be on hand as well as select artists. The event takes place during Gallery Night and is free. No registration required.
Second Sunday
Second Sundays are a perfect way to spend time creating in the Museum with your family and loved ones! Admission is pay-what-you-wish, and donations are appreciated. Each Second Sunday of the month, from 2 – 4 pm.
Be part of the Bells Across PA Project! Join artist Aaron Homerski in painting a large-scale bell celebrating the aquatic life of Lake Erie as part of a community collaboration with the Erie Port Authority.
Programming supported by Erie Insurance
Example of a bell created for the Bells Across PA project created by artist Scott Saloney.
Art by Erie artist Aaron Homerski who will be designing one of Erie, PA’s bells.
Adaptive Art: Free Visual Arts Class for Adults with Disabilities (18+)
Adaptive Art takes place on the second Friday of each month, from 10:30 am – 12 pm.
Adaptive Art is a monthly visual arts and creativity class designed for adults (18+) with disabilities. Thanks to a generous grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities, registration is currently free while funds last. In this class, participants will explore various adaptive mediums such as movement, drawing, painting, and poetry to find new ways of self-expression and PLAY alongside talented and passionate teacher, Sara Fisher. Don't miss this opportunity to discover the joy of art in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Parking & Accessibility Notice
Please note Adaptive Art program on August 14th takes place during CelebrateErie, when downtown Erie experiences increased traffic, road closures, and larger crowds. As a result, navigating to the Museum may take a little longer than usual and may present additional accessibility considerations for some participants.
We recommend allowing extra travel time and parking in the 5th & Peach Parking Garage, which offers convenient access to the Museum.
We appreciate your patience and look forward to welcoming you!
Access For All
The Art Bridges Foundation ‘Access for All’ initiative brings you free admission to the Museum the first Thursday of each month from 11 am – 3 pm and the third Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm.
Explore the Museum, participate in free art crafts, and more!
Improv at the Museum
This class is open to everyone, no matter your experience level, whether you’re a total beginner or have dabbled in theater, you’ll find a supportive, playful space to explore.
Led by Teaching Artist Sara Fisher, a seasoned improviser with a rich background in musical improv, physical storytelling, and adaptive arts, this class blends fun, curiosity, and discovery. Sara is passionate about creating inclusive environments where everyone can shine, drawing on her experience teaching adults with disabilities, leading community workshops, and performing across Chicago, Boston, and here in Erie.
Through games, exercises, and collaborative activities, you’ll:
Build confidence and presence in a group setting
Strengthen your listening, collaboration, and quick-thinking skills
Explore character, movement, and storytelling in playful, hands-on ways
Access For All
The Art Bridges Foundation ‘Access for All’ initiative brings you free admission to the Museum the first Thursday of each month from 11 am – 3 pm and the third Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm.
Explore the Museum, participate in free art crafts, and more!
Adaptive Art: Free Visual Arts Class for Adults with Disabilities (18+)
Adaptive Art takes place on the second Friday of each month, from 10:30 am – 12 pm.
Adaptive Art is a monthly visual arts and creativity class designed for adults (18+) with disabilities. Thanks to a generous grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities, registration is currently free while funds last. In this class, participants will explore various adaptive mediums such as movement, drawing, painting, and poetry to find new ways of self-expression and PLAY alongside talented and passionate teacher, Sara Fisher. Don't miss this opportunity to discover the joy of art in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Parking & Accessibility Notice
Please note Adaptive Art program on August 14th takes place during CelebrateErie, when downtown Erie experiences increased traffic, road closures, and larger crowds. As a result, navigating to the Museum may take a little longer than usual and may present additional accessibility considerations for some participants.
We recommend allowing extra travel time and parking in the 5th & Peach Parking Garage, which offers convenient access to the Museum.
We appreciate your patience and look forward to welcoming you!
Improv at the Museum
This class is open to everyone, no matter your experience level, whether you’re a total beginner or have dabbled in theater, you’ll find a supportive, playful space to explore.
Led by Teaching Artist Sara Fisher, a seasoned improviser with a rich background in musical improv, physical storytelling, and adaptive arts, this class blends fun, curiosity, and discovery. Sara is passionate about creating inclusive environments where everyone can shine, drawing on her experience teaching adults with disabilities, leading community workshops, and performing across Chicago, Boston, and here in Erie.
Through games, exercises, and collaborative activities, you’ll:
Build confidence and presence in a group setting
Strengthen your listening, collaboration, and quick-thinking skills
Explore character, movement, and storytelling in playful, hands-on ways
Second Sunday
Second Sundays are a perfect way to spend time creating in the Museum with your family and loved ones! Admission is pay-what-you-wish, and donations are appreciated. Each Second Sunday of the month, from 2 – 4 pm.
Rhythmic Storytelling through Kathak: A North-Indian Classical Dance
This workshop is an introduction to Kathak, a dance style that was born in the temples of North India almost 2500 years ago. Learn about its journey through the centuries, from ancient temple courtyards to medieval royal courts to modern concert halls, and try out some signature steps, rhythms, poses, and hand gestures that Kathak dancers employ to bring stories of gods and goddesses to life, as well as to aid their own contemporary artistic expressions and storytelling.
Access For All
The Art Bridges Foundation ‘Access for All’ initiative brings you free admission to the Museum the first Thursday of each month from 11 am – 3 pm and the third Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm.
Explore the Museum, participate in free art crafts, and more!
Improv at the Museum
This class is open to everyone, no matter your experience level, whether you’re a total beginner or have dabbled in theater, you’ll find a supportive, playful space to explore.
Led by Teaching Artist Sara Fisher, a seasoned improviser with a rich background in musical improv, physical storytelling, and adaptive arts, this class blends fun, curiosity, and discovery. Sara is passionate about creating inclusive environments where everyone can shine, drawing on her experience teaching adults with disabilities, leading community workshops, and performing across Chicago, Boston, and here in Erie.
Through games, exercises, and collaborative activities, you’ll:
Build confidence and presence in a group setting
Strengthen your listening, collaboration, and quick-thinking skills
Explore character, movement, and storytelling in playful, hands-on ways
Mid Day Art Break
Mid Day Art Break continues with Jack Stevenson. Mark your calendars for live music on the first Wednesday of each month from 12 - 1 pm. This event will be held rain or shine and will move indoors to the Holstein Gallery in the event of inclement weather. Free admission!
Thomas Paquette: Artist Talk & Gallery Walk
5:00 – 5:30 PM: Meet & Greet
5:30 – 6:30 PM: Artist Talk & Gallery Walk
Join us for an evening with celebrated painter Thomas Paquette, whose work has been featured in 71 solo exhibitions across the U.S., from New York and Minneapolis to California, and has been shown in 21 U.S. embassies worldwide, with two embassies including his work in their permanent collection. Paquette’s paintings explore nature, place, and personal vision, and his career has been shaped by residencies in national parks, Greece, and Rome.
This talk and gallery walk will focus on works from a specific time range, including pieces from Scotland, as part of a two-part exhibition. Enjoy a relaxed evening with a meet and greet, followed by Paquette’s artist talk and guided gallery walk. Wine and beer will be available for purchase.
Thomas Paquette | Sky Befalling Skye II | Oil on Canvas | 2005
Improv at the Museum
This class is open to everyone, no matter your experience level, whether you’re a total beginner or have dabbled in theater, you’ll find a supportive, playful space to explore.
Led by Teaching Artist Sara Fisher, a seasoned improviser with a rich background in musical improv, physical storytelling, and adaptive arts, this class blends fun, curiosity, and discovery. Sara is passionate about creating inclusive environments where everyone can shine, drawing on her experience teaching adults with disabilities, leading community workshops, and performing across Chicago, Boston, and here in Erie.
Through games, exercises, and collaborative activities, you’ll:
Build confidence and presence in a group setting
Strengthen your listening, collaboration, and quick-thinking skills
Explore character, movement, and storytelling in playful, hands-on ways
Access For All
The Art Bridges Foundation ‘Access for All’ initiative brings you free admission to the Museum the first Thursday of each month from 11 am – 3 pm and the third Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm.
Explore the Museum, participate in free art crafts, and more!
Improv at the Museum
This class is open to everyone, no matter your experience level, whether you’re a total beginner or have dabbled in theater, you’ll find a supportive, playful space to explore.
Led by Teaching Artist Sara Fisher, a seasoned improviser with a rich background in musical improv, physical storytelling, and adaptive arts, this class blends fun, curiosity, and discovery. Sara is passionate about creating inclusive environments where everyone can shine, drawing on her experience teaching adults with disabilities, leading community workshops, and performing across Chicago, Boston, and here in Erie.
Through games, exercises, and collaborative activities, you’ll:
Build confidence and presence in a group setting
Strengthen your listening, collaboration, and quick-thinking skills
Explore character, movement, and storytelling in playful, hands-on ways
Second Sunday
Second Sundays are a perfect way to spend time creating in the Museum with your family and loved ones! Admission is pay-what-you-wish, and donations are appreciated. Each Second Sunday of the month, from 2 – 4 pm.
Adaptive Art: Free Visual Arts Class for Adults with Disabilities (18+)
Adaptive Art takes place on the second Friday of each month, from 10:30 am – 12 pm.
Adaptive Art is a monthly visual arts and creativity class designed for adults (18+) with disabilities. Thanks to a generous grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities, registration is currently free while funds last. In this class, participants will explore various adaptive mediums such as movement, drawing, painting, and poetry to find new ways of self-expression and PLAY alongside talented and passionate teacher, Sara Fisher. Don't miss this opportunity to discover the joy of art in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Improv at the Museum
This class is open to everyone, no matter your experience level, whether you’re a total beginner or have dabbled in theater, you’ll find a supportive, playful space to explore.
Led by Teaching Artist Sara Fisher, a seasoned improviser with a rich background in musical improv, physical storytelling, and adaptive arts, this class blends fun, curiosity, and discovery. Sara is passionate about creating inclusive environments where everyone can shine, drawing on her experience teaching adults with disabilities, leading community workshops, and performing across Chicago, Boston, and here in Erie.
Through games, exercises, and collaborative activities, you’ll:
Build confidence and presence in a group setting
Strengthen your listening, collaboration, and quick-thinking skills
Explore character, movement, and storytelling in playful, hands-on ways
Access For All
The Art Bridges Foundation ‘Access for All’ initiative brings you free admission to the Museum the first Thursday of each month from 11 am – 3 pm and the third Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm.
Explore the Museum, participate in free art crafts, and more!
Mid Day Art Break
Mid Day Art Break continues with Brian Hed . Mark your calendars for live music on the first Wednesday of each month from 12 - 1 pm. This event will be held rain or shine and will move indoors to the Holstein Gallery in the event of inclement weather. Free admission!