Student Art to be Displayed in Two Locations

The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA) will continue its tradition of celebrating the area’s talented young artists with the return of Artists of the 21st Century, the museum’s 26th annual student art exhibition.

Student artwork will be displayed at SAMA Altoona from Jan. 26 until April 7, at SAMA Bedford from Feb. 2 until April 14, and at SAMA Ligonier from February 16, 2024.

This exhibition is sponsored by the Sigma Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Organization for Women Educators.

The opening reception for SAMA Altoona will be on Feb. 3, from 1-4 p.m. to celebrate the exhibition and region’s student artists.

Admission is free, but the museum suggests a donation of $1 per person to support the exhibition.

Danté DiAndrea, SAMA Altoona site director, said from our coverage area there are some Hollidaysburg Area School District students involved.

He said for a lot of children in the area, they might not have the chance to go to museums in cultural centers in places such as Pittsburgh, New York City and Washington D.C.

“This might be the first time for many of them to experience an art museum and see what it is all about,” DiAndrea said.

The exhibit is a chance for these students to have their work on display at an accredited museum close to home, he said.

“We want them to have a great experience here and we hope that it might inspire them for the rest of their lives,” DiAndrea said.

Kristin Miller, SAMA Ligonier site director and educator, said there are also students from Bedford, Everett, and Chestnut Ridge school districts at SAMA Bedford.

SAMA Altoona is located in the Brett Building at 1210 11th Ave., Altoona.

SAMA Bedford is located in the Anderson House at 137 E. Pitt St., Bedford.

Admission to the museums is free but a donation of $5 or more is requested.

The museum hours are Friday through Sunday, 12 pm to 4:30 p.m. The museums are closed Monday through Thursday.

SAMA’s website is at https://www.sama-art.org/