April 13, 2002 - July 7, 2002

April 13 through July 7, 2002, in conjunction with the 250th Anniversary of Berks County, the Reading Public Museum will exhibit Berks County, Pennsylvania: Art In Place. This exhibit will feature original art by over 40 Berks County artists, some of whom are anonymous.

The Reading Public Museum preserves, as a public trust, the most extensive and representative collection of artwork by Berks County artists. Since 1913, when the first suggestion was made that an art gallery be incorporated into the existing museum founded and directed by Dr. Levi Mengel, Berks County art has been an important focus for the Museum's art collection. This is a rare, not-to-be-missed opportunity for the residents of Berks County and all Museum visitors to view this wonderful exhibit assembled as part of the Museum's observance of the County's 250th Anniversary. Artists to be exhibited include Ben Austrian, William Baziotes, James A. Benade, Harry Bertoia, Harry Koursarous, and Ella Sophonisba Hergesheimer. On exhibit will be paintings, sculpture, decorative, folk and Native American art.

In addition to Berks County, Pennsylvania: Art In Place, the Reading Public Museum is also featuring three other exhibits that commemorate the 250th Anniversary of Berks County. Not to be missed are Reading: The Way We Were, Historical Paintings by John Dusko March 2 - July 7, 2002; Jasper Kemp Elmer: Berks County Romantic April 13 - July 7, 2002; and Simply Functional. Simply Art. Objects of Early Pennsylvania Life from the 18th to 20th Century April 20 - September 15, 2002.

Robert Metzger, Ph.D
Director, CEO, Chief Curator Reading Public Museum