By Ed Courrier

Special to The Press

Allentown Art Museum CEO Max Weintraub, assisted by Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, celebrated the opening day of the museum’s Free Admission for All on Aug. 27 at Allentown Art Museum, 31 N. Fifth St.

To kick it off, artist Val Bertoia and Weintraub rang the “Double Branched Gongs” sculpture by Bertoia’s late father, Harry, next to the museum’s parking lot.

The weekend festivities included guided tours, artists in the galleries, treasure hunts, music, and food.

AAM Vice President of Curatorial Affairs Elaine Mehalakes led a group tour through the recently renovated New American Galleries.

These include Trexler Hall, Trexler Gallery, Goodman Gallery, and Butz Gallery.

The redesigned first floor gallery spaces showcase recent acquisitions and highlights African American, Afro-Latinx, Latinx, Central and South American, indigenous, and women artists.

AAM School and Family Programs Manager Nicole Mangold described upgrades to the second floor ArtVentures area.

Three Maker Stations introduce young visitors to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) programming with a Construction Station, Conservation Station, and 3D Print Station.

ArtVentures takes place every Saturday and Sunday 12:30-3 p.m. for family-friendly art making.

Free Admission for All is made possible by The Century Fund.

Other sponsors include the Lehigh Valley Health Network, City Center Allentown, and J.B. and Kathleen Reilly.

For information, visit allentownartmuseum.org, or call 610-432-4333.