Art on the Move

Since 1976, Bucks County Community College’s Artmobile has made it possible for thousands of students to experience an art museum without ever leaving their school parking lot.

The Artmobile, a 48-foot semi trailer, is essentially a museum on wheels. Each year, it visits approximately 35 schools, showcasing professional works in displays that rotate annually.

Fran Orlando, Artmobile director, said the traveling exhibit began as a bicentennial project in 1976. “It became incredibly popular during the energy crises of the 70s. Artmobile was a way of bringing the field trip to the school,” she said.

For 35 years, Artmobile has traveled throughout the country, from Bensalem to Quakertown, to spread the joy of visual arts to students.  And the lessons learned are not just about painting and sculpture.  “We’re not only teaching about art, but we’re also making connections with other subjects,” Orlando said. “We take the education aspect very seriously.”

The current exhibit, transFORMation, showcases art made from recycled and reused materials. Step aboard Artmobile and your eyes will feast on a dress created from Target plastic bags, a book made from cake mix boxes, and an eagle formed out of assorted silverware.

“Since the Artmobile mainly travels to schools, the exhibitions are curated with that in mind,” Orlando said. “We want to keep the children’s interest.”

Last week, the Artmobile took a pause from its travels and was parked at the college for the Arts at Bucks celebration. It was open for members of the public to browse the exhibit, which this summer will rotate to one featuring art made out of wood. The new exhibit, Tree to Form, will debut in the fall.

But when on the road, Artmobile makes an impressive effort to ensure all Bucks County students, from kindergartners to high school seniors, have the opportunity to observe museum-quality art. Each year, 20,000 students and adults tour the museum on wheels. Past exhibits featured puppets, photography, origami, and more.

“We stay at each school the length of time that it takes to get every class through,” Orlando said. One class at a time tours the exhibit. A professional educator is on board to discuss the concepts of the works on display. Then students have some time to wander about and look at the pieces.

Carole Cunliffe, an Artmobile educator, said the students love the experience. They use “every great word you can imagine” in their reactions, she said. For many, it’s a first-time experience with art. “Sometimes the kids have never been to a museum,” Cunliffe said.

Orlando said the Artmobile is an ideal environment for first-time art museum visitors. “There’s nothing intimidating about Artmobile. They come in and feel comfortable right away,” she said. “It really gives the students an experience they can carry with them.”

For more information about Artmobile or to bring the traveling exhibit to your school, visit www.bucks.edu/artmobile.