Having trouble finding a creative outlet? Stuck in the hum drum of daily life? Maybe these places can help inspire you to live life more creatively. After a visit, you’ll find yourself arranging your clean laundry into a mosaic of your cat instead of folding it, or drawing faces on your sandwich with ketchup. The possibilities are endless. Here are ten places in Pennsylvania that are a paradise for creative people…
- The Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh
Sarah Best/ Flickr
imagesystem/ Flickr The Mattress Factory on the North Shore of Pittsburgh does not produce mattresses as the name may suggest… Instead, it’s an art museum dedicated to installation art. The rooms here are filled with immersive exhibits, such as the mirrored dots infinity rooms, pictured here.
- Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh
Wally Gobetz/ Flickr
lhongchou/ Flickr Andy Warhol is the father of modern pop iconography, and he also was born and raised in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh. On the North Shore, very close to the Mattress Factory, is the Andy Warhol Museum, which offers a chronological retrospective of the artist’s life as you walk its halls.
- Rhoneymeade Arboretum & Sculpture Garden, Centre Hall
Rhoneymeade Arboretum & Sculpture Garden A well-kept secret in Pennsylvania is the Rhoneymeade Arboretum & Sculpture Garden, where you can relax among gorgeous sculptures in the idyllic countryside. The grounds also include a labyrinth, where you can take a peaceful stroll.
- Columcille Megalith Park, Bangor
brewbooks/ Flickr
kate_stuart/ Flickr Columcille Megalith Park and Celtic Art Center can be found tucked away in the Appalachian mountains. The massive stone sculptures here are inspired by the Isle of Iona off the coast of Scotland and its spiritual tradition… This bizarre and beautiful place is sure to bring you a sense of peace.
- Magic Gardens, Philadelphia
Kaitlin/ Flickr The Magic Gardens in Philadelphia are a must-visit if you’re into wacky and unique art projects. Both the house and its adjacent courtyard are entirely covered in eye-catching mosaics, including hand-painted tiles and cryptic messages.
- Fairmount Park, Philadelphia
Tony Fischer/ Flickr You may not know that Fairmount Park in Philadelphia is the largest urban landscaped park in the world, and some consider it to be the world’s largest sculpture garden.
- Abington Art Center, Jenkintown
Abington Art Center/ Facebook Abington Art Center has exhibitions, a sculpture garden, and classes and workshops that you can take. Pretty much anything that would make an art lover happy.
- The Banana Factory, Bethlehem
The Banana Factory/ Facebook The Banana Factory is the place to be for many of the Lehigh Valley’s arts-related events and programs. Its six buildings house 30 studio artists, three galleries and multiple classrooms, and the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre .
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
Extra Medium/ Flickr
Simon/ Flickr This one is a no-brainer, but no list of creative spots in PA would be complete without mention of the Philadelphia Art Museum. Be sure to stop by the Rodin Gallery, which is right across the street, if your thirst for art isn’t satiated with one museum.
- Fallingwater, Mill Run
Wikimedia Commons If architecture is of any interest to you, Fallingwater is a must-visit in Western Pennsylvania. One of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous works, it is without a doubt the most famous architectural feat in Pennsylvania. The house appears to float above a waterfall… Definitely a cool illusion and a fun afternoon.
What else would you add to this list? Share in the comments below.
Sarah Best/ Flickr
imagesystem/ Flickr
The Mattress Factory on the North Shore of Pittsburgh does not produce mattresses as the name may suggest… Instead, it’s an art museum dedicated to installation art. The rooms here are filled with immersive exhibits, such as the mirrored dots infinity rooms, pictured here.
Wally Gobetz/ Flickr
lhongchou/ Flickr
Andy Warhol is the father of modern pop iconography, and he also was born and raised in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh. On the North Shore, very close to the Mattress Factory, is the Andy Warhol Museum, which offers a chronological retrospective of the artist’s life as you walk its halls.
Rhoneymeade Arboretum & Sculpture Garden
A well-kept secret in Pennsylvania is the Rhoneymeade Arboretum & Sculpture Garden, where you can relax among gorgeous sculptures in the idyllic countryside. The grounds also include a labyrinth, where you can take a peaceful stroll.
brewbooks/ Flickr
kate_stuart/ Flickr
Columcille Megalith Park and Celtic Art Center can be found tucked away in the Appalachian mountains. The massive stone sculptures here are inspired by the Isle of Iona off the coast of Scotland and its spiritual tradition… This bizarre and beautiful place is sure to bring you a sense of peace.
Kaitlin/ Flickr
The Magic Gardens in Philadelphia are a must-visit if you’re into wacky and unique art projects. Both the house and its adjacent courtyard are entirely covered in eye-catching mosaics, including hand-painted tiles and cryptic messages.
Tony Fischer/ Flickr
You may not know that Fairmount Park in Philadelphia is the largest urban landscaped park in the world, and some consider it to be the world’s largest sculpture garden.
Abington Art Center/ Facebook
Abington Art Center has exhibitions, a sculpture garden, and classes and workshops that you can take. Pretty much anything that would make an art lover happy.
The Banana Factory/ Facebook
The Banana Factory is the place to be for many of the Lehigh Valley’s arts-related events and programs. Its six buildings house 30 studio artists, three galleries and multiple classrooms, and the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre .
Extra Medium/ Flickr
Simon/ Flickr
This one is a no-brainer, but no list of creative spots in PA would be complete without mention of the Philadelphia Art Museum. Be sure to stop by the Rodin Gallery, which is right across the street, if your thirst for art isn’t satiated with one museum.
Wikimedia Commons
If architecture is of any interest to you, Fallingwater is a must-visit in Western Pennsylvania. One of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous works, it is without a doubt the most famous architectural feat in Pennsylvania. The house appears to float above a waterfall… Definitely a cool illusion and a fun afternoon.
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