Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Altoona

08/26/2026

Join the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art this weekend at Baker Mansion for A Mansion Divided: Blair County in the Civil War on August 29–30 from 11AM–5PM!

SAMA will be bringing the past—and art—to life with an interactive living history tent. Come meet a civilian painter, war correspondent, and tintype photographer while taking part in free, hands-on activities throughout the weekend! Whether you're a history buff, an art lover, or just looking for a fun weekend for the whole family, there's something for everyone. Come experience the sights, sounds, stories, and creativity of the Civil War era!

SAMA Living History Tent:
🎨 Artwork Demonstrations
🖍️ Coloring Activities
🧥 Clothing Dress-Up
🎲 Games & Pastimes

Baker Mansion Activities:
🏛️ Guided Mansion Tours
🎺 Authentic Civil War Music
🔥 Weapon Demonstrations
📷 Tintype Photo Sessions
🍴 Food Vendors

📅 August 29–30
⏰ 11AM–5PM
📍 Baker Mansion, Altoona

Support the educational missions of the Blair County Historical Society and the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Altoona!

08/25/2026

Another round of applause for the SAMA Story: 50 Years in the Making!

What's your SAMA story?

Have you attended an exhibition, brought your child to an education program, purchased artwork, volunteered, served on the board, or simply spent an afternoon at one of our museums?

Tell us your favorite SAMA memory in the comments. 👇

08/20/2026

Did you catch today's segment with Dawn and Scott on the 50th Anniversary!?

For 50 years, SAMA has brought art beyond our galleries and into our communities. SAMA's story has always been about people: The artists. The educators. The volunteers. The supporters. The communities. Watch the story of how the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art became what it is today from the people who were a part of it from the beginning!

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/KZM0AhHRSMo?si=mg_40Vt08CZc7RfI

Written and produced by Dawn Pellas, and shot and edited by Scott Reilly. Thank you to all interviewees, staff, board, and contributors of this project!

08/17/2026

Look who's featured in this month's edition of The Convention Connection Newsletter! Blair County Convention Center shines a Blair County Spotlight on the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, celebrating out exhibitions, educational programs, and lasting impact on the region’s arts community!

THE CONVENTION CONNECTION The Blair County Convention Center’s Newsletter Click below to view this month’s newsletter! August 2026 Newsletter Welcome to The Convention Connection: Your monthly inside look at everything happening at the Blair County Convention Center. From upcoming events to behi...

08/17/2026

Happy National Nonprofit Day! Today, we recognize the vital contributions of nonprofits in making our communities stronger, kinder, and more vibrant. From providing essential services to championing causes close to our hearts, nonprofits play a crucial role in shaping a better world for all. Let's celebrate the dedicated board of trustees, staff, volunteers, and supporters who work tirelessly to create positive change and make a lasting impact. Together, we can continue to lift each other up and build a brighter future for generations to come!

08/15/2026

Join the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in just two weeks at Baker Mansion for A Mansion Divided: Blair County in the Civil War on August 29–30 from 11AM–5PM!

SAMA will be bringing the past—and art—to life with an interactive living history tent. Come meet a civilian painter, war correspondent, and tintype photographer while taking part in free, hands-on activities throughout the weekend! Whether you're a history buff, an art lover, or just looking for a fun weekend for the whole family, there's something for everyone. Come experience the sights, sounds, stories, and creativity of the Civil War era!

SAMA Living History Tent:
🎨 Artwork Demonstrations
🖍️ Coloring Activities
🧥 Clothing Dress-Up
🎲 Games & Pastimes

Baker Mansion Activities:
🏛️ Guided Mansion Tours
🎺 Authentic Civil War Music
🔥 Weapon Demonstrations
📷 Tintype Photo Sessions
🍴 Food Vendors

📅 August 29–30
⏰ 11AM–5PM
📍 Baker Mansion, Altoona

Support the educational missions of the Blair County Historical Society and the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Altoona!

08/13/2026

THE WAIT IS OVER. The SAMA 50th Anniversary Story is here.

From one vision to five museum locations, the SAMA story is one of creativity, perseverance, and community. Watch the story of how the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art became what it is today — and where we're going next.

Five decades. Countless artists. Thousands of students. Six counties. One extraordinary mission.

Watch now.

Written and produced by Dawn Pellas, and shot and edited by Scott Reilly. Thank you to all interviewees, staff, board, and contributors of this project! Evgeny ZheKa Art

08/08/2026

Join the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in three weeks at Baker Mansion for A Mansion Divided: Blair County in the Civil War on August 29–30 from 11AM–5PM!

SAMA will be bringing the past—and art—to life with an interactive living history tent. Come meet a civilian painter, war correspondent, and tintype photographer while taking part in free, hands-on activities throughout the weekend! Whether you're a history buff, an art lover, or just looking for a fun weekend for the whole family, there's something for everyone. Come experience the sights, sounds, stories, and creativity of the Civil War era!

SAMA Living History Tent:
🎨 Artwork Demonstrations
🖍️ Coloring Activities
🧥 Clothing Dress-Up
🎲 Games & Pastimes

Baker Mansion Activities:
🏛️ Guided Mansion Tours
🎺 Authentic Civil War Music
🔥 Weapon Demonstrations
📷 Tintype Photo Sessions
🍴 Food Vendors

📅 August 29–30
⏰ 11AM–5PM
📍 Baker Mansion, Altoona

Support the educational missions of the Blair County Historical Society and the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Altoona!

08/07/2026

🎨 From Hopper to Koch: A Legacy of American Realism

Few contemporary artists have explored the legacy of Edward Hopper as deeply as Philip Koch.

After being profoundly inspired by Hopper's paintings, Koch shifted his artistic focus toward realism. In 1983, he received his first artist residency at Hopper's former Cape Cod studio, beginning a remarkable relationship with one of America's most iconic artistic sites. Over the following decades, Koch was granted unprecedented access to Hopper's private studio, completing his fifteenth residency there in 2014. His dedication to exploring Hopper's artistic vision culminated in a featured solo exhibition at the Edward Hopper House Art Center in Nyack, New York, in 2015.

Widely regarded as the most important American realist painter of the twentieth century, Edward Hopper (1882–1967) transformed everyday scenes into powerful expressions of solitude, light, and atmosphere. Although known for his realism, Hopper's paintings were never simply literal representations of what he saw. Instead, they were deeply personal interpretations that reflected his inner world, capturing quiet moments of contemplation through carefully chosen cityscapes, landscapes, and figures.

Born in Nyack, New York, Hopper studied at the New York School of Art from 1900 to 1906 before traveling to Europe, where the architecture, light, and artistic traditions of Paris profoundly shaped his artistic development. Those influences would help define a career that forever changed American art.

As Hopper once said:

"Great art is the outward expression of an inner life in the artist."
— Edward Hopper

Experience how Hopper's enduring legacy lives on through the work of Philip Koch in his current exhibition on view until October 4, 2026, at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art – Altoona, 1210 11th Ave., downtown Altoona.

🖼️ Museum Hours: Wednesday–Sunday | 12:00–4:30 p.m.
🎟️ Admission is always free with a recommended $5 donation

Top painting: The Lighthouse at Two Lights, oil on canvas, 1929 by Edward Hopper
Bottom painting: Truro Afternoon, oil on canvas, 28 x 42 inches, 2021 by Philip Koch

08/06/2026

Under A Glowing Sky by Philip Koch. Open June 26 – October 4, 2026. Visit W-Sun, 12-4:30pm.