Brush meets book and social commentary in The Reader: Paintings by Travis Prince.

This fall season will be an exciting time at the Everhart Museum with the opening of the exhibition The Reader: Paintings by Travis Prince, two free event-filled community days, and a host of fun programs and workshops.

The Reader: Paintings by Travis Prince, which opens to the public Saturday, October 1 and runs through December 31, features works by the Scranton-based artist that reflect on the social and political issues of race throughout America’s history into the present. Merging painting and literature, The Reader presents viewers with images of African Americans reading works by African Americans like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Frederick Douglass. The free public opening will be preceded by a special ticketed opening reception on Friday, September 30 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., which will feature remarks and insight into the exhibition from Travis Prince as well as drink and light fare.

The artist created these works to bring attention to the fact that many African Americans are presented with their own history from a European perspective. “By exposing the viewer to these authors and their writings, I hope to spark meaningful conversations on ways to fill the gaps in our knowledge and conceive new strategies to forge a genuinely inclusive and harmonious future,” Prince says.

The Reader includes 11 works by Prince, which are presented in this exhibition alongside readable copies of the books portrayed within so that visitors can familiarize themselves on a surface level with these profound writings.

Throughout the duration of the exhibition, the Museum will host a variety of programming centered on The Reader, including high school and college class panel discussions as well as workshops with Travis Prince, who will discuss the content of the paintings and demonstrate his artmaking process. The dates of these programs are to be announced shortly. Stay tuned via the Museum’s website and social media for more details.

Upcoming Community Events at The Everhart

Bring the family to the Everhart for Free, fun and informative events.

Stop by Nay Aug Park on Sunday, October 2 for The Greenhouse Project’s Honey Bee & Harvest Day. The family friendly event will run from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Be sure to check out the Everhart’s information table on bee colonies. We’ll offer fun activities for children, and display a variety of beekeeping wares from when the Everhart nurtured its own bee colony.

The event will include antique apple pressing and garlic planting activities, games, crafts, food, vendors, and an all-ages costume parade at 12:30 p.m. Join the the Scranton High School Marching Band as they lead the parade from the Nay Aug Tree House to the Greenhouse. The Kerry Kenny Band and the Scranton Civic Ballet Company will also provide exciting live entertainment.

The Museum will also be offering free community days to the public this fall on October 8 and December 10. On Saturday, October 8, the Everhart Museum welcomes the fall season with Rakin’ in the Fun: Community Day. The special indoor/outdoor community event features free admission to the Museum from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will also be  free activities, crafts, tours, and more from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Rakin’ in the Fun was made possible by the support of The Overlook Estate Foundation.

The event also features pumpkin painting sponsored by Riccardo’s Market, paper bag scarecrow making, thumbprint pumpkin patch painting, a free fall-themed photo booth, guided tours of the Museum galleries, and more.

There will be demonstrations on rocks and minerals by Stephen Carter of Penn Minerals; a beekeeping demonstration by Orna Clum of Clum Family Farms; a takeaway scavenger hunt provided by the Lackawanna Historical Society; a leaf identification activity with Penn State Master Gardeners; pollinator garden activities by The Greenhouse Project; and live music by the Dixieland All-Stars on the front lawn. In addition, food will be available for purchase from Curbside Crave food truck.

Bookending autumn and anticipating the arrival of winter is Snow Much Fun: Community Day on Saturday, December 10. Like with Rakin’ in the Fun, there will be free admission to the Museum from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and free activities, crafts, tours, and more from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., once again supported by The Overlook Estate Foundation. Stay tuned via the Museum’s website and social media for more details as they are available.

The Museum is always adding new programs, exhibitions, and events, so be on the lookout for more exciting things popping up through the end of the year!