Harrisburg Art Galleries

(Harrisburg, Pennsylvania - PA, USA)

The visual arts scene in Harrisburg is certainly an interesting and well-developed one, with a number of commercial galleries being spread around the downtown district and beyond. However, it is the Susquehanna Art Museum that plays a central part in this arena.

Previously located within the State Museum of Pennsylvania and incorporating the Doshi Gallery for Contemporary Art, the Susquehanna Art Museum relocated to its present setting in 2013 and now occupies the historic Keystone Trust Building in Midtown Harrisburg. This move cost more than US$6 million and is part of a project to revitalize the whole neighborhood.

The Susquehanna Art Museum is known in Harrisburg for its unique 'VanGo' program, which is nicknamed as 'Museum on Wheels' and sees original art works being driven around the outskirts of the city, so that more people can enjoy the paintings and prints. Since the inception of VanGo in 1992, close to 400,000 people have participated in this unusual scheme.

Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM)

Address: Calder Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (PA), 17101, USA
Tel: +1 717 233 8668
The recently relocated Susquehanna Art Museum is certainly one gallery for art aficionados and serves as the only museum dedicated to the world of art in central Pennsylvania. Visitors can expect to enjoy many large and colourful contemporary canvasses, created by big names in the world of American modern art. Various art appreciation classes are held here, introducing and interpreting the works of notable artists, explaining the key periods in art history and contrasting the different techniques used.
Open hours: Wednesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00, Sunday - 13:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors

Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (HMAC)

Address: 268 Herr Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (PA), 17102, USA
Tel: +1 717 701 6199
Sited within the downtown district and just a block away from the Salvation Army Citadel is the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center, which occupies the former Police Athletic League building and serves the city as a cultural center, a theater (Stage on Herr) and a commercial art gallery. The founders of this attraction initially planned to open their arts center in Pittsburgh, however, they stopped off here en route and were immediately attracted to the charm and allure of Harrisburg. After considerable renovation work from 2007 onwards, the building has been transformed and now also welcomes visitors with additional features, such as a cafe, a swimming pool and spa facilities, and even a film studio.
Open hours: daily - hours vary according to events
Admission: free, charge for performances and some events

Art Association of Harrisburg

Address: 21 North Front Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (PA), 17101, USA
Tel: +1 717 236 1432
This not-for-profit gallery stands on North Front Street, where it was founded in 1926 and is close to the riverfront, Market Street Bridge and the Grace United Methodist Church. There is always something fresh to look at within the Art Association of Harrisburg, since the exhibits are changed on a frequent basis. The building is especially grand and originally functioned as the Governor Findlay Mansion. At the back is the Sales Gallery, which is crammed with original pieces created by local artists, which not only include paintings and sculptures, but also photographs, sketches and limited edition numbered prints.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday - 09:30 to 21:00, Friday - 09:30 to 16:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00, Sunday - 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Gallery at Second

Address: 608 North 2nd Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (PA), 17112, USA
Tel: +1 717 233 2498
Standing just down the road from St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Gallery at Second is a small retail space. Regular exhibitions of paintings are staged here, lasting anywhere from a week to a couple of months, depending upon the particular exhibition and artist. Themed canvasses (both modern and of a more traditional nature), framed paintings, prints and photographs are all offered for sale here, in the Upstairs Gallery. Even though this is a fairly small exhibition space, there is a lot to look at here, since art works are tightly packed on the walls.
Open hours: Thursday and Friday - 16:30 to 20:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 20:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 16:00, or by appointment
Admission: free