April 4, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, please contact:

Bobby Moore, Registrar/Interim Curator

(814) 472-3924

Travis Mearns, Public Relations Coordinator

(724) 238-6015

SAMA-LORETTO EXHIBITION CELEBRATES AMERICAN FOREFATHER

            Loretto – The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Loretto will celebrate one of America’s most dynamic forefathers this spring while offering one of its most eclectic exhibitions to date. Opening April 18, the Museum is pleased to offer the community the traveling exhibition, Cents & Sensibility: Benjamin Franklin and Popular Culture. The exhibition, which debuted in 2006 at Franklin & Marshall College, was organized to commemorate the 300^th anniversary of the birth of Franklin. The exhibition will remain on view through July 20.

            Cents & Sensibility was developed with young audiences in mind, and offers a fresh look at one of the nation’s most important historical figures. Throughout the 19^th and 20^th centuries, Franklin emerged as an advertising icon, appearing on items from beach towels to postage stamps to Grateful Dead posters. This collection of Franklin memorabilia, more than 200 pieces in all, was assembled and organized as a tribute to an American personality who largely invented the American persona. A broad range of primarily 20^th century artifacts, ephemera and kitsch, including audio and video recordings, print media, advertising buttons, product containers, action figures, clothing and bobblehead dolls, will be on view.

            Few people have had as much of an impact on American culture as Franklin. A self-made man with little formal education, Franklin was successful as a printer, diplomat, scientist and satirist, among other ventures. He constructed and shaped the media of his era into a formidable tool for priming and propelling the nation, along with his reputation. A man of great communication skills and business savvy, Franklin’s ability to reach out to young people, writers, scientists, women, politicians, diplomats, businessmen and artisans throughout the world helped cement his legacy and gravitas for three centuries. Now, 300 years after his birth, his likeness is still prevalent in American culture, featured prominently throughout movies, television shows, popular music, plays, cartoons, literature and legends.

            Visitors to Cents & Sensibility will undoubtedly marvel at how Franklin’s image has not only endured the test of time, but also transcends so many media. Franklin may be as popular today as he was nearly 300 years ago when he was a major factor in shaping the American political and cultural landscape. Cents & Sensibility was co-curated by Roy E. Goodman, Curator of Printed Materials for the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, and Sherry Bufano. The exhibition was produced in collaboration with Franklin & Marshall College and supported by a grant from the Richard C. von Hess Foundation.

            To help celebrate the exhibition, the Museum will host a “Ben Franklin Day” on Saturday, June 28. Beginning at 1 p.m., SAMA will offer a Franklin Family Fun program designed to help children learn about Franklin by participating in various museum activities, including exhibition tours, art projects and science experiments. At 7 p.m., the Museum will host a lecture with Cents & Sensibility co-curator, Roy E. Goodman. Both events are open to the public free of charge. For more information, please call SAMA Education Coordinator Liz Garlena at (724) 238-6015.

            The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Loretto is located on the campus of Saint Francis University. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. The Museum is open to the public free of charge. For more information, please contact the Museum at (814) 472-3920 or visit www.sama-art.org.