The journey of the New Arts Program (NAP) archives from Kutztown to the Martin Art Gallery, Baker Center for the Arts, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, began several years ago.

“The conversation actually started because James Carroll had an exhibition planned here,” says former Martin Art Gallery Director Jessica L. Ambler.

The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted curating the exhibition that Carroll and Ambler’s predecessor envisioned. The long-delayed exhibit finally too place in summer 2024.

“He [Carroll] was looking for an institution to house the art that was made at NAP for over 50 years,” says Ambler. “He really wanted its legacy to be preserved.”

Approximately 300 objects from the NAP archives were donated to the Martin Art Gallery.

“We really have a treasure trove now,” says Ambler.

Ambler credits Muhlenberg College students Emily Carey, Class of 24; Hanaja White, Class of 26; Delton Brixius, Class of 26, and James Goodwin, Class of 27, for assisting with cataloging the collection and curating “New Arts Program: Made in Kutztown,” an exhibition in 2025 of NAP archives donated works and ephemera.

Among the pieces donated to the Martin Art Gallery is a circa 1984 - 1985 acrylic on canvas by pop artist Bob Stanley of a Pennsylvania-German farm with a hex sign on the barn and a four-color lithography poster designed by the artist based on the painting.

“There is a poster based on this and it actually says ‘Made in Kutztown’ and that’s where we got the title of the exhibition from,” says Ambler.

There are several works by Carroll and works printed on handmade paper by New Arts artist Doug Zucco in the archives.

Ambler has since been named Director, Eleanor D. Wilson Museum, Hollins University, Roanoke, Va.

A new director of Martin Art Gallery is to be named. As of the deadline for this article, there are no exhibitions in Martin Art Gallery.