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Arthur Ross Gallery

‘Paths to Freedom’: A new exhibit by John E. Dowell
Artist John Dowell stands in the gallery with his artworks behind him surrounded by several people.

About 100 people, including several Penn faculty, attended the opening of the "Paths to Freedom" exhibition of work by artist John E. Dowell (center).

‘Paths to Freedom’: A new exhibit by John E. Dowell

In a new Arthur Ross Gallery exhibition, Philadelphia artist John E. Dowell imagines attempted escapes by enslaved ancestors through his photographs of North Carolina cotton fields at night. “Paths to Freedom” includes 26 artworks, an installation of fabric panels, and a soundscape.

Louisa Shepard

New Arthur Ross Gallery exhibit ‘From Studio to Doorstep’
two adults and one child look at prints hanging on a very pink wall

Prints created for middle class Americans from 1934 to 2000 are featured in the current Arthur Ross Gallery exhibition, “From Studio to Doorstep,” through Aug. 21. The 37 signed and numbered Associated American Artists prints are part of the Penn Art Collection, many exhibited for the first time.

New Arthur Ross Gallery exhibit ‘From Studio to Doorstep’

Prints from 1934 to 2000 are featured in the current Arthur Ross Gallery exhibition, “From Studio to Doorstep,” through Aug. 21. The 37 Associated American Artists prints are part of the Penn Art Collection.

Louisa Shepard

The changing face of portraiture at Penn
portrait in leidy labs

Homepage image: A portrait in Leidy honors Nathan Francis Mossell, who, in 1882, became the first African American student to earn a medical degree from Penn. With its placement in the accessible portion of the building’s stairway, this new portrait gallery is highly visible to students, staff, faculty, and visitors who spend time in the Biology Department.

The changing face of portraiture at Penn

Efforts around campus aim to diversify those honored in portraits and rethink how to approach representation through art.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Arthur Ross Gallery exhibition explores Asian migration to Latin America 
curator standing in front of artwork speaking with hand raised

A traveling exhibition at the Arthur Ross Gallery, “No Ocean Between Us: Art of Asian Diasporas in Latin America & The Caribbean, 1945-Present,” explores Asian migration to Latin America and its influence on modern and contemporary art. Adriana Ospina, curator and director of the Art Museum of the Americas in Washington D.C., spoke at the Feb. 4 Gallery exhibition opening. 

Arthur Ross Gallery exhibition explores Asian migration to Latin America 

“No Ocean Between Us: Art of Asian Diasporas in Latin America & The Caribbean, 1945-Present” explores Asian migration to Latin America and its influence on modern and contemporary art, on view through May 23.

Louisa Shepard

Roberto Lugo brings his street graffiti and unique portraiture to the Arthur Ross Gallery  
Artist spray-painting graffiti on wall of art gallery

Guest curator Roberto Lugo has covered the walls of the Arthur Ross Gallery with the art of graffiti as part of the new exhibition “God Complex: Different Philadelphia,” on view through Dec. 19. In his interpretation, Lugo has divided the gallery, with portraits from the Penn Art Collection on one side, including Ben Franklin and George Washington, and his artworks on the other, including ceramic pieces featuring portraits of people of color. 

Roberto Lugo brings his street graffiti and unique portraiture to the Arthur Ross Gallery  

Guest curator Roberto Lugo has covered the walls of the Arthur Ross Gallery with the art of graffiti as part of the new exhibition “God Complex: Different Philadelphia,” on view through Dec. 19.

Louisa Shepard

New Arthur Ross Gallery exhibition focuses on introspection and contemplation
woman standing in doorway of art exhibition with paintings on the walls

The Arthur Ross Gallery’s new exhibition features 17th-century Dutch genre paintings paired with rare books from the Penn Libraries collection. On display until July 25, “An Inner World,” co-curated by Gallery Assistant Director and Curator Heather Gibson Moqtaderi, focuses on contemplation.

New Arthur Ross Gallery exhibition focuses on introspection and contemplation

The Arthur Ross Gallery’s new exhibition features 17th-century Dutch genre paintings paired with rare books from the Penn Libraries collection. On display until July 25, “An Inner World” focuses on contemplation.

Louisa Shepard