Bridges Reception at the PMA

On Wednesday, September 3, a reception was held in the Education Corridor at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to celebrate Bridges, an exhibition featuring artists from SpArc Services' Cultural Arts Center. The Bridges program is an art-making project that connects community programs like the Cultural Arts Center with the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s collections. Participants have guided tours of the Museum’s collections throughout the year, then create their own works of art in their program’s studios and exhibit them at the Museum.

The artists of the Cultural Arts Center viewed many highlights from the museum's collection during their tours, including still life, landscapes, surrealist art, and modern and contemporary works. Many of the artists responded most profoundly to portraits from eras spanning the 19th century to the present. When they returned to the Cultural Arts studio they worked on self-portraits, as well as portraits inspired by various cultural references including direct interpretation of works they had seen in person at the museum.

Artist Francis with his mother and grandparents

Artist Jennifer and her painting

Cultural Arts Director Linda Price, artist Mike M., and SpArc Philadelphia CEO Laura Princiotta

Artist Morgan with her mother and Laura

Artist Robbie S. with the PMA's Manager of Accessible Programs Street Thoma

Street and Laura with museum docent Dina

Cultural Arts staff past and present Felica, Sarah and Cody with guests

Cultural Arts program specialist Heather Robb with Jo Viviani and Lynne Horoschak of Moore College of Art

Linda and Jennifer

Laura with Arc of Philadelphia Board Chair Norma Carter and Board Member Jim Wilson

Morgan with portraits of her nieces