Denise Callanan-Kline Painting

While art was created and continues to be created through the pandemic, getting up close and personal with the arts has been extremely difficult in the past year. However, there are glimmers of hope that art exhibitions and tours are coming back. It’s exciting to see the art scene is opening up again, from open hours at museums to postponed art shows finding a debut date. Find out where you can get into art again in 2021.

Hunterdon County Art Scene

Grounds For Sculpture

Where: 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619

See more than 400 pieces at a venue committed to the exhibition and collection of contemporary sculpture. It has been collecting key examples of sculptural works and installations by American and international artists in wood, bronze, stone, stone, steel, paper, and assemblage since the museum’s inception in 1992. The collection program is focused on the works of the most important sculptors of the last 60 years and is committed to adding the works of some of the most engaging and relevant sculptors of today.

Grounds for Sculpture in New Jersey is open for visitors. Entry to Grounds is by advanced timed ticket only and capacity is limited. Both Members and Public are required to reserve timed tickets online to visit. Hours are now through March 31 are Thursday through Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Hunterdon Art Museum

Where: 7 Lower Center Street, Clinton, New Jersey

The Hunterdon Art Museum presents changing exhibitions of contemporary art, craft and design in a 19th century stone mill listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Founded in 1952, the Museum showcases works by internationally recognized and emerging contemporary artists. It also offers a dynamic schedule of art classes and workshops for children and adults, and a popular summer camp program. The museum will be open to the public Thursday – Sunday from 11 am – 5 pm. *Thursdays from 11 am – 12 noon are reserved for Senior Citizens and immunocompromised visitors.

The museum has developed new procedures for staff and visitors with safety and well-being top of mind including contactless ticket entry. Upcoming programs include Laura Moriarty: Resurfacing.

This program is in conjunction with Hunterdon Art Museum’s current exhibition, Laura Moriarty: Resurfacing.

The exhibition included Moriarty’s Tableau for Thomas Cole, a grouping of rock- and geode-like wax sculptures (similar to some currently on view at HAM) arranged on Cole’s table-sized palette. There, before Cole’s paintings of sublime outcroppings, caverns, and New York mountain peaks, Moriarty’s wax rocks, with their candylike colors, were both resonant and dissonant with the art of the past.

Bucks County Art Scene

The Stover Mill Gallery

Where: 852 River Road (Rt. 32), located in Erwinna, Pa.

The gallery was closed all through 2020 and will open this year with a show, “In Search of Luminance” with paintings by artists Denise Callanan-Kline and Shirley Mersky. The two artists are eagerly looking forward to showing the paintings they had prepared last year as well as new ones that the added time allowed them to create.

The show’s title reflects the interest that Mersky and Callanan-Kline share in depicting light in their paintings. Both are plein air painters. Both share a fascination with painting the Delaware River and the canal. They love the effect of light on water with its glittering highlights and deep reflections. They have been painting outdoors together for many years.

As the opening date approaches, both women are reflective on the past year. Although the isolation has been difficult for many, it has been an opportunity for them to focus on their work. They hope that people will come to the gallery and be as uplifted by viewing the paintings as the artists were by doing them.

Both artists live and work in Bucks County, Pa. and have exhibited in many juried shows, including the Philadelphia Sketch Club and the Phillips Mill Art Exhibit.

Shirley Merksy Behind Golden Plough

Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castles

Where: Fonthill Castle, 525 East Court Street, Doylestown

Where: Mercer Museum, 84 South Pine Street, Doylestown

Starting Monday, March 1 the Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle opened back up for visitors six days per week, Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Museum will be closed on Mondays.

The Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle are two historic castles that celebrate the life and legacy of Henry Chapman Mercer (1856-1930), American archaeologist, anthropologist, ceramicist and scholar.

Virtual events are still scheduled for those who aren’t comfortable with live events.

Safety precautions are in effect including masks for all staff and guests, timed-ticket entry and limited tour sizes.

New Hope Arts: Member’s Spring Salon

Where: New Hope various locations

From April 3 to May 9, the New Hope Arts Spring Salon will begin. This will be an exciting and inclusive exhibition of contemporary art in the region. Open media includes 2- and 3- dimensional work. This is an opportunity to share the latest offerings of our membership with the community, in-gallery and online.

Protocol limits ten people at a time so viewers have the opportunity to interact with each piece while maintaining social distance. Reservations are suggested.

Gallery Hours: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Noon to 5 pm.

Montgomery County

American Treasure Tour

Where: One American Treasure Way, Oaks, PA 19456

American Treasure Tour Museum with 75,000 square feet of eclectic nostalgia, and classic toys. The tram tour offered at American Treasure is taking steps to properly social distance, meaning many seats are blocked off on the tram to leave adequate space. Masks are required and advanced ticketing is recommended. Weather permitting the tour takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College

Where: 601 East Main Street, Collegeville, PA

This museum is still temporarily closed through spring 2021. However, planned exhibitions are available to view online along with additional online content. Current exhibits include featured artist Katie Merze and her smokestack mural. Additional dynamic interface virtual exhibits will be provided which will provide a 3D model of installations within the Berman Museum’s galleries. All digital platforms are accessible on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube at this time. The museum currently anticipates an opening date of June 2021.