July 9 – September 11, 2011

This intriguing exhibition features more than thirty recent additions welcomed into the collection of the Reading Public Museum through purchase, gift and bequest. On view July 9 through September 11, 2011 in The Museum's Central Gallery, the exhibition is titled Recent Acquisitions.

The highlight of the exhibition is a newly acquired work by the celebrated American artist Norman Rockwell — a study for a 1934 Saturday Evening Post cover titled The Spirit of Education. The oil and charcoal study on artist's board is the first work by the artist to enter the collection and is a preview of a traveling exhibition dedicated to the artist, on view at The Museum in the fall of 2013.

Ranging from Pennsylvania German painted furniture and frakturs, European and American decorative arts, to twentieth century prints, paintings, sculpture, and textiles, this exhibition celebrates the ongoing meaningful addition of works to The Museum's permanent collection. Artists such as Ben Austrian, Richard Estes, Richard Stankiewicz and Joan Sloan will be included.

Scott Schweigert, The Museum's Curator of Art and Civilization, said, "It's full of variety — it's a reflection of our permanent collection in that way." Commenting on the procedure of refining the collection, he added, "We've been in the process of vetting and assessing the collection on many fronts. We've been purchasing in advance of re-installing galleries — thinking about objects that fill gaps for us, or, in some cases, play to our strengths."

There is also a Collections Management Committee that is part of The Museum's Foundation Board, and in many cases they vet or approve donations, gifts or purchases.

Schweigert commented, "It's been my mission to make sure those recent acquisitions find their way almost immediately to the galleries, so they go on view and become relevant. The message, I think, that it sends to our visitors, is that this is a vital institution that is actively engaged in improving itself. It also sends a message to collectors or potential donors that we are open to new objects — that we're not a stagnant, closed collection — that we are an organic, moving institution. I think that's a good message to send."

Images - Top: Ben Austrian (American, 1870-1921), Hen with Baby Chicks, oil on canvas, Bequest of Mr. and Mrs. Earl R. Savage; Middle: Norman Rockwell (1894–1978), Spirit of Education – Study, 1934, oil and charcoal on board 16 .75" x 14", study for Saturday Evening Post cover, April 21, 1934; Bottom: Attributed to Johann Conrad Gilbert (American 1734-1812), Birth and Baptismal Certificate, c. 1791, watercolor and ink on paper, Museum purchase with funds provided by the Hanford Family Charitable Trust in honor of Stuart Hanford.