Local Treasures: Endless Opportunities at the Allentown Art Museum

Alice Frank | Writer

Children's art from the Crayola Dream-Makers exhibit in the museum's Community Gallery.

Works by local, regional, and international artists are always on display at the Allentown Art Museum. Located on the corner of North 5th Street and Court Street in Allentown, the museum offers a palette of experiences from strolling about its diverse selection of exhibits to its artist-led workshops and events.

Open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., admission to the museum is always free. Offering extended hours and events on the third Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., the museum is committed to providing its community with the chance to immerse themselves into the limitless world of art in its every form. Third Thursday hours not only provide an opportunity for those who work during the day to enjoy the museum in the evening, but also offer free art workshops available for the community to benefit from and enjoy. 

“It’s certainly a piece of the Lehigh Valley puzzle, and can be so educational for students of all ages,” says Caroline Guman, a museum visitor and Penn State Lehigh Valley student,.

The museum's extensive collection of work available for viewing in its permanent collection includes Franz Kline’s 1945 mural of Lehighton, the preserved Little House Library designed by renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright in 1912, and selected Tiffany glass work. 

On the lower level, past the exhibit dedicated to photography, is the museum’s Community Gallery which typically has month-long exhibits. Currently, a display of children’s art dating back to the 1980s is on view as a part of the museum’s partnership with Crayola.

Chris Potash, the museum’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations says, “The Museum is a resource for people…There’s a lot happening in downtown Allentown, and this could be part of your night, you could stop in here to see world-class art before going out to eat…”

The Allentown Art Museum is a hidden gem in the heart of the city. Its limitless opportunities provide audiences with more than just your average museum experience, but a quintessential moment to discover something brand new and a chance to lose oneself in the art world.

Visit the museum website at www.allentownartmuseum.org, as well as their Instagram (@atownartmuseum) and YouTube (@AllentownArtMuseum), to see all they have to offer!