Peabody Essex Museum

06/15/2025

Today we say goodbye to our narwhals! 👋

We’ve loved seeing our visitors enjoy “Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend” throughout its time at PEM! Whether you enjoyed our opening day festivities, took part in our narwhal-themed school vacation week or joined in the fun by commenting “Thanks, Mr. Narwhal” on our social media, we’re glad to have shared the importance of these amazing tusked whales with you!

We look forward to sharing our next Art & Nature Center exhibition, “Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal Forest,” opening Saturday, July 26. Stay tuned for more details! 👀

📸 Kim Indresano

06/14/2025

“Making History: 200 Years of American Art from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts” opens today!

The exhibition presents 85 works from the historic collection of the nation’s oldest art school, bringing visitors on a journey across time, medium and identity. The exhibition offers new narratives of the history of American art and reveals American artists as they have always been: a diverse group that includes women, artists of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. See the exhibition, now on view through September 21!

Making American Artists presents 85 works from the historic collection of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, taking you on a journey across time

06/13/2025

Happy Friday the Thirteenth! 👻☠️😱

Our historic house walking tours have returned! What better way to celebrate the spooky occasion than by learning about the sinister histories of PEM’s historic houses? Take our “Sinister Streets: Witch Trials, Murders and Literary Legends” tour today at 1 pm or 3:45 pm and hear about life in 1692 inside our Ward House. Then, follow the steps of the notorious murderer of Captain Joseph White inside the Gardner-Pingree House. For the history lovers who want a not-so-scary experience, our “Brick by Brick” walking tour takes visitors through the hidden architectural secrets of Salem!

Tours take place on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays and are on a limited-time schedule. Check pem.org/events to see available tour times!

📸 Kathy Tarantola/PEM

06/12/2025

On Thursday, June 25, join GenPEM in Boston for a wine tasting at the Urban Grape and a guided tour of select works from the Boston Public Art Triennial!

At 6 PM, join us in Boston’s South End at the The Urban Grape to sip on selections by Trevor Smith, PEM’s Associate Director–Multisensory Experience and Curator of the Present Tense.

Following the tasting, walk with Trevor to view a work by the contemporary artist and filmmaker Caledonia Curry, a.k.a Swoon. Get an insider’s view of the inaugural Boston Public Art Triennial and learn how it’s supporting artists and communities from Executive Director Kate Gilbert. Grab your tickets here: pem.org/events/genpem-boston-wine-tasting-and-art-walk?date=2025-06-25&time=06:00

If you would like to join as a GenPEM member to attend this event and receive invitations to future exhibition openings, tours and special events and programs, as well as complimentary museum admission, please visit pem.org/genpem to purchase an annual membership.

Learn more about the Boston Public Public Art Triennial at thetriennial.org/
Swoon, In the Well: The Stories We Tell About Addiction, Installation view at Boston Public Library, Boston Public Art Triennial, May 22 - October 31, 2025.

The Peabody Essex Museum and the GenPEM Steering Committee invite you to a celebration of Boston’s public art!

06/11/2025

Artist Margaretta Angelica Peale and her sisters Sarah and Anna were professional painters and members of the famous Peale family of artists in Philadelphia. These juicy-looking fruits show the artist’s mastery of still life painting and point to the Peale family’s fascination with farming and plant science, as well as the interest in horticulture among their patrons. Come see this painting and other Peale family works in “Making History: 200 Years of American Art from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts,” opening on Saturday, June 14!

🎨 Margaretta Angelica Peale, Strawberries and Cherries, about 1813-1830. Oil on canvas. Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia. Source unknown. 1924.11.

06/10/2025

Last week, the Peabody Essex Museum welcomed our newest cohort of Native American Fellows! Now in its sixteenth year of operation, the Native American Fellowship program is dedicated to the professional growth and advancement of cultural workers in the Native American and Indigenous art and museum fields.

Warmest greetings to Christine Adams (Tlingit) from the Kwáashk’ikwáan (Raven–Humpback Salmon clan), Fort House of Yakutat, Alaska; Julianna Escobedo (enrolled member of the Tejon Indian Tribe with Chumash, Yokuts and Kitanemuk ancestry); Alexandria Hawley (Diné); and Kate McCowan (Tigua citizen of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo).

This year, the fellows will be working in Collections Services, the Phillips Library, Curatorial and Exhibition Planning and will partake in leadership training workshops led by fellowship program staff Frank Redner (Pezihutazizi Oyate [Upper Sioux]) and Karen Kramer. We thank all of our colleagues and mentors at the museum and beyond who contribute to this stellar learning experience.

📸 Kathy Tarantola/PEM

06/07/2025

“Making History: 200 Years of American Art from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts” opens in one week!

On Saturday, June 14, explore the diverse narratives of American art and discover how artists — including women, artists of color and LGBTQIA+ artists —have played a crucial role in shaping our nation's history. Featuring icons like Georgia O’Keeffe, Edward Hopper and Mary Cassatt, this exhibition takes us on a journey to encounter a range of people, places and events to contemplate “what makes an artwork American.” Learn more at pem.org

🎨 Cecilia Beaux, A Little Girl (F***y Travis Cochran), 1887. Oil on canvas. Courtesy
of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia. Gift of F***y Travis Cochran, 1955.12.

06/05/2025

“You can almost imagine how the mother who made this hat conveyed her wishes for her child into all these numerous tiny stitches.” - Jiyeon Kim, Curator of Korean Art

For our latest PEMcast episode, we went into storage with our Curator of Korean Art and Culture, Jiyeon Kim, to look at some objects before they were installed in the new Korean Art gallery.If you look closely at this child’s embroidered hat, you can spot multiple types of plants, birds and turtles, each with their own symbolism!

🎧To hear Kim talk about this object and how it reminds her of her own grandmother, click the PEMcast the below ⬇
pem.org/pemcast/pemcast-39-behind-the-scenes-of-pems-new-yu-kil-chun-gallery-of-korean-art-and-culture

📸 Kathy Tarantola/PEM

06/03/2025

Dive into this incredible tale of survival!

In our latest blog post, Dan Finamore, PEM’s Russell W. Knight Curator of Maritime Art and History, explores the gripping story of sailor Steve Callahan, who spent 76 harrowing days lost at sea in 1982 after a solo transatlantic voyage took a turn for the worse. His journey of survival against all odds is not only a tale of adventure, but also a testament to the human spirit. Read the full story for more insights from Callahan's bestselling book, "Adrift," and the upcoming documentary "76 Days Adrift," which powerfully brings his experience to life. Click the link below for the full story!

🎥PEM will ​​screen “76 Days Adrift” on Sunday, June 22 at 2 pm, followed by an informal showing of some artifacts from the ill-fated voyage, and a conversation with Callahan and the filmmakers. Tickets are available at pem.org/events. Don't miss your chance to learn about survival equipment and maritime history, and see the fascinating artifacts from Callahan's ordeal!

📖pem.org/blog/behind-the-scenes-of-76-days-adrift-a-true-shipwreck-story-screening-at-pem

🎨 Michele Felice Cornè, America of Marblehead in a storm, about 1800. Oil on canvas. M4687. Gift of Charles H. Taylor, 1939.

Read stories from curators, artists and more on our Connected blog, or find conversations on the PEMcast, the museum’s official podcast.

06/01/2025

Celebrate Pride at our Rainbow Rager on Saturday, June 27, in partnership with Miz Diamond Wigfall and many other local drag artists!

From 8 pm-midnight, our after-hours party will feature a star-studded a drag show hosted by Miz Diamond Wigfall and Maxine Harrison, featuring Buster Pants, Dick Kayin, Miss Michael, Peewee Vermin, Chanel The Angel, Chola Spears, Geya Jenda, Julie J, Izzy Ready, Kelly Shoes, Killah Croc, Lilly Rose Valore, Misster, Tequila Cowboy and Violencia!

The evening also includes a cash bar with specialized cocktails, music by DJ Maxine Harrison and a fantastical immersive photo booth by Courtney B. Hall, the “Light Witch.” Grab your tickets today by clicking the link below!

Join us as we celebrate our cherished LGBTQIA+ community this Pride Month in partnership with Miz Diamond Wigfall and other local drag artists!

05/31/2025

Opening Saturday, June 14: “Making History: 200 Years of American Art from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.”

Presenting 85 works from the historic collection of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, “Making History” takes you on a journey across time, medium and identity. Enjoy iconic American works in a new light and see longtime favorites such as Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer, Georgia O’Keeffe and Mary Cassatt.

🗓️ Members can enjoy the exhibition early for a special members preview on Friday, June 13 from 6:30-9 pm. Visit pem.org/events to grab your ticket today!

🎨 Mary Cassatt, Baby on Mother’s Arm, about 1891. Oil on canvas. Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia. Bequest of Peter Borie. 2003.15.