Penn State University is always buzzing with various cultural events, and this semester is no exception. Here, you can find a variety of in-person and virtual events, showcasing different aspects of the university and its surrounding community.

Performances

“R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” is an electrifying tribute celebrating the music of the legendary Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. This concert experience takes audiences on a journey of love, tragedy, courage, and triumph.

• “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” — 7:30 p.m., April 17, Pullo Center, York campus.
• Symphonic Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble concert — 7:30 p.m., April 17, Eisenhower Auditorium, University Park campus.
• Ivyside Pride presents “All Things Under Heaven” — 7:30 p.m., April 24 and 25, Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts, Altoona campus.

“Alice in Wonderland” is a PG-13 production that looks at the indelible themes of change, growth, desire, status, societal rules, and loss of innocence. Adapted and directed by Jenny Lamb, it’s a highly physical and metaphoric trip down the rabbit hole.

Events

Café Laura Theme Dinner: Te Fiti’s Table – A Moana Adventure — April 17, Café Laura, Mateer Building, University Park campus. Students in HM 430 Advanced Food Production and Service Management prepare a series of themed dinners throughout the semester to be served in the student-run Café Laura restaurant. Reservations required.

Lectures

Charles W. Mann Jr. Lecture in the Book Arts: “Document, Celebrate, Testify, Resist: Queer History through Book Arts” — 4-5:15 p.m., April 17, via Zoom. Book artists gino romero, Rowan Renee, Sky Syzygy and Emilee Taxman will participate in an artists’ panel discussion exploring the themes and subjects that inspire them.

“Retractions: On the Rise, But Not Enough” — 3 p.m., April 21, Foster Auditorium, Paterno Library, University Park campus. The Penn State Open Scholarship Initiative, with support from Penn State University Libraries, will host a talk by Ivan Oransky, co-founder of the Retraction Watch blog.

“How AI is Reshaping Your Paycheck: Personalized Wages in the Inference Economy” — 2:30 p.m., April 23, E202 Westgate Building, University Park campus and via Zoom. The Penn State Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence (CSRAI) will host Dana Calacci, assistant professor in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, as part of its AI for Social Impact series.

“Postcards from the Disaster Fields: A Preservation Librarian’s Tale” — 4 p.m., April 24, Paterno Library, University Park campus and via livestream. Penn State University Libraries’ 2025 William D. Minter Lectureship in Conservation on Thursday, April 24, will feature guest lecturer Randy Silverman, an internationally recognized, innovative expert in preservation and disaster recovery and leader in safeguarding global documentary cultural heritage.

In-person Exhibits

“This too, shall pass” — Through April 17, The Gallery, Penn College. Large graphite drawings that intertwine the influences of traditional Japanese calligraphy with the techniques and aesthetics of Western drawing are on display in Mayuko Ono Gray’s exhibition.

“Monstrum” — Through April 19, McLanahan Gallery, Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts, Altoona campus. A body of work by visual art studies student Kai Deline will use acrylic, graphite and digital design to explore the experience of being neurodivergent and queer through unrealistic, alien and inhuman characters.

“Profiles of Vulnerability and Protection” — Through April 20, Palmer Museum of Art, University Park campus. The exhibition considers how perceived vulnerabilities — shaped by gender, racial, economic and other inequities — can become strengths that spark action and collective movement to change the course of injustice toward safe, peaceful and joyous living.

“A Fly on the Wall, A Story Untold: Objects Imbued with the Human Soul” — Through April 26, Ronald K. De Long Gallery, Lehigh Valley campus. The soulful, down-home spirit of American folk art will be on display, featuring pieces from the private collection of Vincent DiCicco, a passionate collector of Americana and American Folk Art.

“Empty and Full: Series & Introduction to Self-Painted Korean Traditional Art Pieces” — Through April 30, Friedman Art Gallery, Wilkes-Barre campus. The artist, Tae Hee Kim, was born in 1978 in Seoul, South Korea and now lives and studies in State College while teaching an art course and pursuing a doctorate in art education at Penn State’s University Park campus.

“Apprentice” — Through May 9, Freyberger Gallery, Berks campus. Visiting artist Abbey Muza uses artwork to share her archival research on the history of the textile industry in northeastern Pennsylvania and the history of Penn State Berks, whose forerunner was Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute, a training school established by the owners of Textile Machine Works to provide training its workers.

“The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art” — Through May 11, Palmer Museum of Art, University Park campus. Drawn from the rich holdings of the Chrysler Museum of Art’s Walter P. and Jean Chrysler collection, this exhibit showcases more than 120 glittering Art Nouveau objects — including furniture, paintings, sculpture, mosaics, posters, Japanese prints, lamps, jewelry and glass — that introduce the exuberant, radical, international Art Nouveau style and its celebration of beauty, nature and innovation.

“Capacities of Care” — Through June 1, HUB Gallery and Art Alley, HUB-Robeson Center, University Park campus. “Capacities of Care,” a group exhibition curated by Aaron Knochel, associate professor of art education in Penn State’s School of Visual Arts, is a concept framework to understand and explore how care relationships manifest in our lives in distinct and interconnected ways.

“nosegay” — Through June 1, Exhibition cases, HUB-Robeson Center, University Park campus. “nosegay,” curated by Philadelphia-based artist Caitlin McCormack, features sculpture work that explores the complexities of crochet to straddle the line between fine art and craft, and its cultural ubiquity.

“Biomachine” — Through Spring 2025, Hite Lobby, Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts, Altoona campus. A collaboration between Daryl Branford and Talley Fisher of Huck SciArts offers a glimpse into the microscopic world of viruses and is a reaction to how humanity must learn to coexist with them.

“I Am a Penn Stater: Nittany Lions in World War II” — Through June 2025, Penn State All-Sports Museum, Beaver Stadium, University Park campus. Timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the conflict, “I Am a Penn Stater” chronicles the contributions of Nittany Lion varsity lettermen and Women’s Recreation Association athletes during the conflict and follows their service from training in the United States, to fighting on battlefields around the globe, to their postwar occupations.

“Sustainable Narratives: Visualizing Data, Design and Community” — Through July 25, Henry Art Gallery, Great Valley campus. The exhibition, led by Huiwon Lim, assistant professor of graphic design at Penn State, showcases his solo works as a graphic designer and design educator, as well as collaborative projects with students, offering diverse perspectives on how data can be transformed into powerful narratives.

“Give us also the right to our existence: Collecting and Surfacing Queer Narratives” — Through Sept. 12, Eberly Family Special Collections Library, University Park campus. Gathering together a selection of materials that illustrate the varied formats and expansive time periods of queer history, “Give us also the right to our existence: Collecting and Surfacing Queer Narratives” explores the many facets of gender and sexuality.

Virtual exhibits and online resources are also available, including “This too, shall pass” at The Gallery, Penn College, and “Monstrum” at McLanahan Gallery, Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts, Altoona campus.

Virtual Exhibits and Online Resources

These exhibits showcase the talents of Penn State students, faculty and visiting artists, and provide a glimpse into the university’s rich cultural and artistic heritage.

“This too, shall pass” — Through April 17, The Gallery, Penn College. Large graphite drawings that intertwine the influences of traditional Japanese calligraphy with the techniques and aesthetics of Western drawing are on display in Mayuko Ono Gray’s exhibition. This is a virtual exhibit, but you can also see it in person at The Gallery, Penn College.

“Monstrum” — Through April 19, McLanahan Gallery, Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts, Altoona campus. A body of work by visual art studies student Kai Deline will use acrylic, graphite and digital design to explore the experience of being neurodivergent and queer through unrealistic, alien and inhuman characters. This is a virtual exhibit, but you can also see it in person at McLanahan Gallery, Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts, Altoona campus.

“Profiles of Vulnerability and Protection” — Through April 20, Palmer Museum of Art, University Park campus. The exhibition considers how perceived vulnerabilities — shaped by gender, racial, economic and other inequities — can become strengths that spark action and collective movement to change the course of injustice toward safe, peaceful and joyous living. This is an in-person exhibit, but you can also find related online resources and digital displays on the Palmer Museum of Art’s website.

“A Fly on the Wall, A Story Untold: Objects Imbued with the Human Soul” — Through April 26, Ronald K. The soulful, down-home spirit of American folk art will be on display, featuring pieces from the private collection of Vincent DiCicco, a passionate collector of Americana and American Folk Art. This is an in-person exhibit, but you can also find related online resources and digital displays on the Ronald K. De Long Gallery’s website.

“Empty and Full: Series & Introduction to Self-Painted Korean Traditional Art Pieces” — Through April 30, Friedman Art Gallery, Wilkes-Barre campus. The artist, Tae Hee Kim, was born in 1978 in Seoul, South Korea and now lives and studies in State College while teaching an art course and pursuing a doctorate in art education at Penn State’s University Park campus. This is an in-person exhibit, but you can also find related online resources and digital displays on the Friedman Art Gallery’s website.

“Apprentice” — Through May 9, Freyberger Gallery, Berks campus. Visiting artist Abbey Muza uses artwork to share her archival research on the history of the textile industry in northeastern Pennsylvania and the history of Penn State Berks, whose forerunner was Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute, a training school established by the owners of Textile Machine Works to provide training its workers. This is an in-person exhibit, but you can also find related online resources and digital displays on the Freyberger Gallery’s website.

“The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art” — Through May 11, Palmer Museum of Art, University Park campus. This is an in-person exhibit, but you can also find related online resources and digital displays on the Palmer Museum of Art’s website.

“Capacities of Care” — Through June 1, HUB Gallery and Art Alley, HUB-Robeson Center, University Park campus. “Capacities of Care,” a group exhibition curated by Aaron Knochel, associate professor of art education in Penn State’s School of Visual Arts, is a concept framework to understand and explore how care relationships manifest in our lives in distinct and interconnected ways. This is an in-person exhibit, but you can also find related online resources and digital displays on the HUB Gallery and Art Alley’s website.

“nosegay” — Through June 1, Exhibition cases, HUB-Robeson Center, University Park campus. “nosegay,” curated by Philadelphia-based artist Caitlin McCormack, features sculpture work that explores the complexities of crochet to straddle the line between fine art and craft, and its cultural ubiquity. This is an in-person exhibit, but you can also find related online resources and digital displays on the HUB-Robeson Center’s website.

“Biomachine” — Through Spring 2025, Hite Lobby, Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts, Altoona campus. A collaboration between Daryl Branford and Talley Fisher of Huck SciArts offers a glimpse into the microscopic world of viruses and is a reaction to how humanity must learn to coexist with them. This is a virtual exhibit, but you can also see it in person at Hite Lobby, Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts, Altoona campus.

“I Am a Penn Stater: Nittany Lions in World War II” — Through June 2025, Penn State All-Sports Museum, Beaver Stadium, University Park campus. This is an in-person exhibit, but you can also find related online resources and digital displays on the Penn State All-Sports Museum’s website.

“Sustainable Narratives: Visualizing Data, Design and Community” — Through July 25, Henry Art Gallery, Great Valley campus. The exhibition, led by Huiwon Lim, assistant professor of graphic design at Penn State, showcases his solo works as a graphic designer and design educator, as well as collaborative projects with students, offering diverse perspectives on how data can be transformed into powerful narratives. This is an in-person exhibit, but you can also find related online resources and digital displays on the Henry Art Gallery’s website.

“Give us also the right to our existence: Collecting and Surfacing Queer Narratives” — Through Sept. Gathering together a selection of materials that illustrate the varied formats and expansive time periods of queer history, “Give us also the right to our existence: Collecting and Surfacing Queer Narratives” explores the many facets of gender and sexuality. This is an in-person exhibit, but you can also find related online resources and digital displays on the Eberly Family Special Collections Library’s website.

Cultural Events Across Penn State

Penn State University is known for its vibrant cultural scene, offering numerous events and activities for students, faculty, and the surrounding community. The campus hosts various performances, events, and exhibits that showcase different aspects of the university and its surrounding community. The performances at Penn State include concerts, plays, and musicals that cater to diverse tastes and interests. From the electrifying tribute to Aretha Franklin to the PG-13 production of “Alice in Wonderland,” there’s something for everyone. In addition to performances, the campus offers a range of events, including lectures, workshops, and theme dinners. The Café Laura theme dinner series, for example, features themed dinners prepared by students in the HM 430 Advanced Food Production and Service Management class. These events not only provide a unique dining experience but also offer a glimpse into the culinary skills and creativity of the students. The campus is also home to various exhibitions, both in-person and virtual. The exhibitions showcase the talents of Penn State students, faculty, and visiting artists, providing a glimpse into the university’s rich cultural and artistic heritage. From traditional Japanese calligraphy to contemporary crochet, the exhibitions feature a wide range of artistic mediums and styles. Some of the exhibitions include “This too, shall pass,” which features large graphite drawings that intertwine traditional Japanese calligraphy with Western drawing techniques, and “Monstrum,” which explores the experience of being neurodivergent and queer through acrylic, graphite, and digital design. The campus also hosts in-person exhibits, including “Profiles of Vulnerability and Protection,” which considers how perceived vulnerabilities can become strengths that spark action and collective movement to change the course of injustice, and “The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art,” which showcases over 120 glittering Art Nouveau objects. In addition to exhibitions, the campus offers virtual exhibits and online resources, providing a platform for artists to showcase their work and engage with a wider audience. Some of the virtual exhibits include “This too, shall pass” and “Monstrum,” which can be accessed online, and “Give us also the right to our existence: Collecting and Surfacing Queer Narratives,” which explores the many facets of gender and sexuality through a selection of materials that illustrate the varied formats and expansive time periods of queer history. Overall, Penn State’s cultural events and activities offer a rich and diverse experience for students, faculty, and the surrounding community. Whether you’re interested in performances, events, exhibitions, or virtual exhibits, there’s something for everyone at Penn State.

Cultural Events Across Penn State

Performances

“R.E.S.P.E.C.T.”

“R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” is an electrifying tribute celebrating the music of the legendary Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. This concert experience takes audiences on a journey of love, tragedy, courage, and triumph.

“Alice in Wonderland”

“Alice in Wonderland” is a PG-13 production that looks at the indelible themes of change, growth, desire, status, societal rules, and loss of innocence. Reservations required.

Café Laura Theme Dinner: Emerald Isle – A Toast to Ireland

Café Laura Theme Dinner: Emerald Isle – A Toast to Ireland — April 22, Café Laura, Mateer Building, University Park campus. Reservations required.

Bike Den Biking Safety 101 Workshop

Bike Den Biking Safety 101 Workshop — March 26, the Bike Den, University Park campus. This workshop will teach participants the rules of the road and bike safety skills before bringing the group outside to a beginner-friendly practice course. A bike and helmet are required to participate.

Lectures

Charles W. Lecture in the Book Arts: “Document, Celebrate, Testify, Resist: Queer History through Book Arts”

Charles W. Timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the conflict, “I Am a Penn Stater” chronicles the contributions of Nittany Lion varsity lettermen and Women’s Recreation Association athletes during the conflict and follows their service from training in the United States, to fighting on battlefields around the globe, to their postwar occupations.

Virtual Exhibits and Online Resources

“This too, shall pass”

“This too, shall pass” — Through April 17, The Gallery, Penn College. Gathering together a selection of materials that illustrate the varied formats and expansive time periods of queer history, “Give us also the right to our existence: Collecting and Surfacing Queer Narratives” explores the many facets of gender and sexuality.

Cultural Events Across Penn State

Cultural Events Across Penn State

What’s happening at Penn State?

Penn State University is always buzzing with various cultural events, and this semester is no exception. Here, you can find a variety of in-person and virtual events, showcasing different aspects of the university and its surrounding community.

The campus hosts various performances, events, and exhibits that showcase different aspects of the university and its surrounding community. From the electrifying tribute to Aretha Franklin to the PG-13 production of “Alice in Wonderland,” there’s something for everyone.

In addition to performances, the campus offers a range of events, including lectures, workshops, and theme dinners. These events not only provide a unique dining experience but also offer a glimpse into the culinary skills and creativity of the students.

The campus is also home to various exhibitions, both in-person and virtual. From traditional Japanese calligraphy to contemporary crochet, the exhibitions feature a wide range of artistic mediums and styles.

Some of the exhibitions include “This too, shall pass,” which features large graphite drawings that intertwine the influences of traditional Japanese calligraphy with the techniques and aesthetics of Western drawing, and “Monstrum,” which explores the experience of being neurodivergent and queer through acrylic, graphite, and digital design.

The campus also hosts in-person exhibits, including “Profiles of Vulnerability and Protection,” which considers how perceived vulnerabilities can become strengths that spark action and collective movement to change the course of injustice, and “The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art,” which showcases over 120 glittering Art Nouveau objects.

In addition to exhibitions, the campus offers virtual exhibits and online resources, providing a platform for artists to showcase their work and engage with a wider audience.