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2025 Exhibition Schedule
Support YOUR Museum
Serving the community through the many educational, cultural, and fulfilling opportunities requires assistance from a range of resources. To maintain free admission to our museums, we need your support! Thoughtful donations by members and patrons help us keep our five museums in Altoona, Bedford, Johnstown, Ligonier, and Loretto open to the public free of charge.
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Read about the upcoming exhibitions at each SAMA site and donate to help support an exhibition that interests you! Please contact the SAMA site of your choosing if you would like help or more information about sponsoring an exhibition.
Altoona
Artists of the 21st Century
artwork by grade-school students in the six counties SAMA serves
in the Wolf and Pechter Galleries and Detwiler Education Center
January 31, 2025 – April 6, 2025
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The Museum’s twenty-seventh annual student art exhibition will be displayed at Altoona, Ligonier, Bedford, and Johnstown. Held in conjunction with National Youth Art Month, the exhibition is open to schools that participate in SAMA’s Arts-in-Education or Artist-in-Residence program. These programs serve six counties: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland. Through the programs, SAMA educators and professional artists travel to public and parochial schools to provide lessons designed to enhance students’ understanding of art creation, technique, history, critique, and aesthetics. SAMA’s award-winning education initiative is the largest of its kind in the Commonwealth.​
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A Journey to Wonderland
artwork by Jessie Luke
in the Paul I. Detwiler Education Center
April 23, 2025 – July 6, 2025
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Jessie Luke is recognized for her incredible photographs created with the Holga plastic toy camera. Luke has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Her exhibition, "A Journey to Wonderland," visually displays the narrative of the timeless classical children's novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, by English author, Lewis Carroll. It is a theatrical pictorial adaptation that reflects Alice’s long journey down the rabbit hole. There she discovers an extraordinary world of unusual characters and encounters unforeseeable challenges.
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Gravitas of the Sycamore
artwork by Judith Peck
in the Shirley and Fred A. Pechter Galleries
April 23, 2025 – July 6, 2025
A solo exhibition of oil paintings by Virginian artist, Judith Peck. The series depicts a singular sycamore tree she discovered while walking near the Potomac River. What follows is a series of oil paintings which serve as rich, artistic meditation on the themes of resilience, and the stabilizing ground around which our souls gravitate, as we attempt to live our lives amidst a chaotic and ever changing world.
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Poetry of the Earth: Edward Glannon
selections from the Permanent Collection
in the George A. and Herbert T. Wolf Gallery
April 23, 2025 – July 6, 2025
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Pennsylvania-raised artist Edward Glannon wrote in his journal that he "learned to love the poetry of the earth and the music of landscapes" and that it "motivated me all my life." "Poetry of the Earth" showcases Glannon's masterful landscapes and aims to instill a sense of musicality in all of those who view it. Glannon’s paintings and prints evoke a sense of meditative reverie, much like the works of his near contemporary, Andrew Wyeth. Featuring pieces from SAMA’s permanent collection, this exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the artistic legacy of a painter who found beauty in the vast and varied landscapes of America.
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All My Life’s A Circle
artwork by Barbara Hollander
in the Shirley and Fred A. Pechter Gallery and Paul I. Detwiler Education Center
July 18, 2025 – October 5, 2025
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Barbara Hollander dedicated over two decades of her life to SAMA Altoona, where she served as both the Education Coordinator and Site Coordinator. In these roles, she was instrumental in growing attendance, developing educational programs, and fostering meaningful connections within the community. Her work embodies SAMA's mission of inclusivity and creativity, and this exhibition serves as both a tribute to her contributions and an invitation to the community to experience her artistic legacy.
Poster Perfect: A Cinematic Showcase
selections from the Permanent Collection
in the George A. and Herbert T. Wolf Gallery
July 18, 2025 – October 5, 2025
See an exhibition featuring art for movie promotions from the Mark del Costello special collection of posters. This exhibition runs in conjunction with the Altoona Reel Film Festival, Altoona's first film festival, hosted by Penn State Altoona on September 20, 2025.
​​​Artists in Our Midst
artwork by Art in Common
in the Shirley and Fred A. Pechter Gallery and Paul I. Detwiler Education Center
October 17, 2025 – January 18, 2026
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An annual collaboration between SAMA Altoona and Art in Common, the juried exhibition continues the Museum’s mission of celebrating and supporting the visual arts of the Southern Alleghenies region. The exhibition offers the public an opportunity to experience diverse artistic voices and provides a platform for both emerging and established artists to share their work with the community.
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Transcontinental: Photographs by William H. Rau and Contemporaries
in the George A. and Herbert T. Wolf Gallery
October 17, 2025 – January 18, 2026
Featuring 11 works from the traveling exhibition "Picturing the West: Masterworks of 19th Century Landscape Photography" courtesy of Art2Art. Art2Art presents works by renowned masters of photography, as well as contemporary sensations. "Picturing the West" resonates with museum audiences on several different levels simultaneously. It is, first of all, a visual synopsis of the Era of Exploration in American history, and a touchstone for discussion of the issues involved in the opening of the American West. Secondly, the show works on a purely aesthetic level: a great Watkins mammoth plate is now seen as comparable to a great painting by Thomas Cole, Thomas Moran or Albert Bierstadt. Along with selections from the museum’s Rau collection, "Transcontinental" highlights the expansion of the American Railroad, with a focus on Pennsylvania and the Southwestern United States.
Bedford
​​Artists of the 21st Century
artwork by grade-school students in the six counties SAMA serves
in the Titelman Galleries
February 14, 2025 – April 27, 2025
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The Museum’s twenty-seventh annual student art exhibition will be displayed at Altoona, Ligonier, Bedford, and Johnstown. Held in conjunction with National Youth Art Month, the exhibition is open to schools that participate in SAMA’s Arts-in-Education or Artist-in-Residence program. These programs serve six counties: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland. Through the programs, SAMA educators and professional artists travel to public and parochial schools to provide lessons designed to enhance students’ understanding of art creation, technique, history, critique, and aesthetics. SAMA’s award-winning education initiative is the largest of its kind in the Commonwealth.
Inspired by and In the footsteps of Donald M. Robinson
in the Paula and Dean Lemley Gallery
February 14, 2025 – July 13, 2025
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These exhibits celebrate the works of Donald M. Robinson. The exhibition is the result of two workshops led by artist Recie Dolan and photographer Skip Allen, in which artists of all mediums were invited to create an artistic representation, reaction or response to pieces in the Donald M. Robinson collection ahead of the Donald M. Robinson Photography Biennial. The exhibition and workshops were sponsored by the Donald & Sylvia Robinson Family Foundation.
Wild Realms: A Global Journey in Animal Photography
selections from the Donald M. Robinson Permanent Collection
in the Donald M. Robinson, Ashe, Jerry & Joan Hawk, and Children's Discovery Galleries
February 21, 2025 – July 13, 2025
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See a collection of photographs centered on exotic animals and wildlife from around the world, including Africa, South America, and Antarctica taken by Donald M. Robinson while traveling the globe.
Echoes of Summer
selections from the Donald M. Robinson Permanent Collection
in the Titelman Galleries
May 9, 2025 – July 13, 2025
The exhibition features selections from the extensive Donald M. Robinson photography collection, which includes over 800 works documenting Robinson’s travels across six continents and more than 60 countries. His nature and documentary photographs capture the beauty and diversity of the natural world, offering viewers a glimpse into landscapes and moments from around the globe. In addition to Robinson’s works, the exhibition will showcase pieces that reflect the essence of summer, as well as other works that evoke the feeling and memory of summer even in different seasons.
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Donald M. Robinson Photography Biennial 2025
juried art exhibition in all eight galleries of the museum
July 25, 2025 – October 19, 2025
The Donald M. Robinson Photography Biennial is a juried exhibition occurring every two years attracting photographers from across the nation. Cash awards will include a top prize of $2,000 for first place, $1,000 second place award, and $750 for the third-place award. Artworks included in the exhibition were selected by juror, Nicole Elliott. Prizes will be awarded during the celebration and were selected by juror, Skip Allen. The exhibition and events are sponsored by the Donald & Sylvia Robinson Family Foundation and Benzel’s Bretzel Bakery Inc.
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Season's Greetings
in the Titelman Galleries
October 31, 2025 – February 1, 2026
Season’s Greetings offers a rare look at the intersection of art, design, and personal connection through handmade and limited-edition greeting cards sent to Monroe Wheeler, a key figure at the Museum of Modern Art, by renowned artists whose work he exhibited and published. These intimate gestures of friendship and artistic kinship reflect a golden age of modernist expression, captured in formats ranging from postcards to folios. Delicate, striking, and historically significant, the collection reveals how such exchanges bridged the personal and professional, seasonal and timeless, with artist biographies, a detailed catalogue, and thoughtfully displayed works enhancing the experience.
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Evidence of Joy: Finding Refuge in Creation
artwork by Meaghan Troup
in the Paula and Dean Lemley, Donald M. Robinson, Ashe, Jerry & Joan Hawk, and Children's Discovery Galleries
October 31, 2025 – February 1, 2026
Mifflinburg, PA artist Meaghan Troup transforms painting into a sanctuary, blending faith, resilience, and a deep reverence for nature. Working exclusively with palette knives, her textured, impressionistic works are inspired by her Christian faith and shaped by a three-year battle with leukemia, during which art became both an outlet and a testament to survival. Each canvas, paired with a carefully chosen Bible verse and a hidden signature, serves as a visual refuge—celebrating joy not as escape, but as an act of spiritual endurance. From vibrant wildflowers to tranquil winter scenes, Troup invites viewers to seek beauty, healing, and connection in the everyday.
Johnstown
​Artists of the 21st Century
artwork by grade-school students in the six counties SAMA serves
January 17, 2025 – March 30, 2025
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The Museum’s twenty-seventh annual student art exhibition will be displayed at Altoona, Ligonier, Bedford, and Johnstown. Held in conjunction with National Youth Art Month, the exhibition is open to schools that participate in SAMA’s Arts-in-Education or Artist-in-Residence program. These programs serve six counties: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland. Through the programs, SAMA educators and professional artists travel to public and parochial schools to provide lessons designed to enhance students’ understanding of art creation, technique, history, critique, and aesthetics. SAMA’s award-winning education initiative is the largest of its kind in the Commonwealth.
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Inside Out, A Collection of Artists' Point of View
April 11, 2025 – July 27, 2025
Artists are expertly skilled in showing the world as they see it, creating images that draw us in and remind us of places we have visited or would like to visit. Artwork from artists Charles Biddle, Edgar Imler, David Hopkins, Bradley Shoemaker and Robert Kipniss give visitors the opportunity to see how indoor and outdoor light can and does affect color, mood and environment. Take a few minutes of your day to enjoy a walk through the exhibition and view the world through the artist’s eyes.
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Celebrations
August 15, 2025 – December 2025
In conjunction with The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA) fiftieth anniversary celebration, we are excited to announce an exhibition of vibrant art created by artist Anita Williams at our Johnstown location. Along with selected pieces from SAMA’s permanent collection, the exhibit features artwork celebrating nature, movement and the arts. This exhibition is sponsored by Laurel Toyota.
Ligonier
Exhibitions in The Elizabeth Shaw Gamble Gallery
​Artists of the 21st Century
artwork by grade-school students in the six counties SAMA serves
February 14, 2025 – April 20, 2025
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The Museum’s twenty-seventh annual student art exhibition will be displayed at Altoona, Ligonier, Bedford, and Johnstown. Held in conjunction with National Youth Art Month, the exhibition is open to schools that participate in SAMA’s Arts-in-Education or Artist-in-Residence program. These programs serve six counties: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland. Through the programs, SAMA educators and professional artists travel to public and parochial schools to provide lessons designed to enhance students’ understanding of art creation, technique, history, critique, and aesthetics. SAMA’s award-winning education initiative is the largest of its kind in the Commonwealth.
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Spirit of Place: Fallingwater Paintings
by Ron Donoughe and Workshop Artists
May 2, 2025 – August 3, 2025
This exhibition showcases the stunning work of Ron Donoughe and talented workshop artists, capturing the iconic architecture and natural beauty of Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece. Through vibrant landscapes and thoughtful interpretations, the exhibition explores the profound connection between Fallingwater and its surrounding environment. Visitors will experience unique artistic perspectives that celebrate the harmony of art, architecture, and nature.
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Nora and Stuart Thompson: Rots, Pots, and Mountaintops
August 15, 2025 – November 2, 2025
A compelling and whimsical exhibition celebrating the talents of husband-and-wife artists, Stuart and Nora Thompson. "Rots, Pots, and Mountaintops" are divided into three vibrant sections:
· Rots features Nora Thompson’s playful and eccentric cast of characters. Imbued with personality and charm, these imaginative figures offer a humorous and heartfelt exploration of identity and artistic freedom.
· Pots showcases the collaborative clay work of Stuart and Nora. These three-dimensional pieces reflect the couple’s creative synergy and technical mastery in ceramics.
· Mountaintops spotlights Stuart Thompson’s award-winning paintings, known for their vivid color and subtly representational style that invites the viewer to look again—and look deeper.
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​Southwestern Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
artwork by artists from the 19 southwestern counties of Pennsylvania
November 14, 2025 – February 1, 2026
The 30th annual SPCARTS exhibition features work by artists from the 19 southwestern counties of Pennsylvania. Featured works will span a variety of media, including acrylic, oil, photography, pastel, watercolor, wood, masonry, and many others. Since its inception, the exhibition has become known for its freshness and energy in the art of emerging young artists and for the dazzling presentations of established artists who are developing a new direction with their art.