7 Small Town Art Galleries to Visit in Pennsylvania

7 Art Galleries to Visit in Pennsylvania

PHOTO CREDIT: Crary Art Gallery, Warren, Pa. (Photo: Crary Art Gallery)

By Robin Shreeves

January 6, 2023

Throughout the state in many small towns, art galleries showcase pieces from global and regional artists. Bonus: many of these galleries have free admission.

Pennsylvania has some world class art museums. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, and the Rodin Museum are excellent venues to take in art in Philadelphia. The Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh and the Erie Art Museum are also not to be missed if you love art.

Art lovers don’t have to be in Pennsylvania’s big cities to get their art fix, though. Throughout the state in many small towns, art galleries showcase pieces from global and regional artists. At many of them, you can also buy art from the featured artists or take art classes from talented, local professionals. Bonus: many of these galleries have free admission.

Take a break from the usual go-to museums and visit one of these seven art galleries throughout Pennsylvania.

Bellefonte Art Museum

The Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County, known to locals as BAM, is located in the Linn House, an 1810 structure now on the National Historic Registry. The museum showcases art from around the world and from local artists. It offers free art shows, classes, and cultural exhibits, and also houses an art library.  

Current exhibitions include paintings from Danielle Austin, whose dreamscapes are inspired by songs, poems, fairy tales, mythology, and various life experiences, and the Underground Railroad exhibit, A Journey to Freedom, a permanent exhibit that commemorates the region’s role in the Underground Railroad. 

The Bellefonte Art Museum is open Friday through Sunday from 12 noon to 4:30 p.m. Admission: Free

Location: 133 North Allegheny St., Bellefonte, Centre County

Frank Frazetta Museum 

Fans of Frank Frazetta’s art must head to the Frank Frazetta Art Museum in East Stroudsburg. Frazetta was known for his comic book illustrations for wildly popular comics like Al Capp’s “Lil’ Abner.” He’s also considered the “godfather of fantasy art.” Located on the artist’s former estate where he created his most iconic paintings, the museum includes 37 of his works including  Death Dealer III, The Indomitable, Cat Girl, and Silver Warrior. 

The Frank Frazetta Museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $15.

Location: 141 Museum Road, East Stroudsburg, Monroe County

Merrick Art Gallery

Promoting and showcasing the work of unique artists, the Merrick Art Gallery in New Brighton houses works from emerging and well-established artists. The gallery has a permanent collection of French, German, English, and American paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries. It also houses a collection of Hudson River School paintings from artists Druand, Kennsett, Casilear, and others. The gallery offers art classes, and hosts events such as a Cinco de Mayo party and a Christmas tea throughout the year. 

The Merrick Art Gallery is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission: Free.

Location: 1100 5th Ave., New Brighton, Beaver County 

Crary Art Gallery

Established as a nonprofit art museum in 1977 by painter Genevieve Walker Crary in memory of her artist husband, Clare Crary, the Crary Art Gallery in Warren is dedicated to noteworthy temporary exhibitions and displaying historical works. Its permanent collection includes early and mid-20th century paintings and prints, Japanese prints, and photographs by Edward S. Curtis as well as Genevieve and Clare’s own works. Upcoming temporary exhibitions include works by artists Adam Cooley, Carol McDonald, and Nicole Maye Luga. Crary also hosts art workshops and lectures throughout the year.

The Crary Art Gallery is open Friday and Saturday from 12 noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Admission: Free

Location:  511 Market St., Warren, Warren County

Square Pear Fine Art Gallery

7 Art Galleries to Visit in Pennsylvania
PHOTO CREDIT: Square Pear Fine Art Gallery, Kennett Square. (Photo: Square Pear Fine Art Gallery, paintings: Rick Phillips)

Located in the historic shopping district of Kennett Square, the Square Pear Fine Art Gallery is a walk-in gallery that has themed monthly changing exhibits that feature local, national, and international artists. On the third Thursday of each month, the gallery hosts an opening reception for art lovers to gather and view the new works on display. Square Pear also offers children’s art classes.

The Square Pear Fine Art Gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 12 noon to 4 p.m. Admission: Free

Location: 200 East State St., Kennett Square, Chester County​

Artists Hand Gallery and Espresso Bar

In Indiana, art lovers can get their art and caffeine fixes in one place. The Artists Hand Gallery and Espresso Bar connects local artists with the community. Representing a wide variety of Indiana County artists, the gallery celebrates the arts and fosters creativity with visual arts, literature, poetry, and music. 

The Espresso Bar features a variety of ways to caff up including drip coffee, cold brew, and espresso drinks and also has food like panini sandwiches, and baked goods. 

Artist Hand Gallery and Espresso Bar is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: Free.

Location: 732 Philadelphia St., Indiana, Indiana County

The Station Gallery

The mission of the Clinton County Arts Council’s Station Gallery is to promote, develop, and support the arts in Clinton County. Through various exhibits that feature fine art and local artisans’ works, workshops for adults and kids, and special events, the gallery educates and broadens the base of public and private support for the arts as well as increases county tourism through the promotion of art and architectural resources.

The Station Gallery is open Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: Free

Location: 2 East Bald Eagle St., Lock Haven, Clinton County

READ MORE: Traveling With Your Pup? Bookmark These 7 Dog-Friendly Attractions in PA to Check Out.

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