Payne Gallery of Moravian University
Learn about the sixth oldest educational institution in America and its Art gallery.
Payne Gallery, Moravian University
Sculptures Outside Payne Gallery: Moravian Roots I and II (2011) by Steve Tobin, Trotsky Family Collection
Moravian University
Moravian University is the 6th oldest educational institution in America. Founded in 1742, it was the first to educate women and the first to educate Native Americans in their own language.
Known in the 19th century as The Moravian Seminary for Young Ladies and in the early 20th as Moravian Seminary and College for Women, the institution later became Moravian College and Theological Seminary.
Today it is Moravian University, located in historic Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, sixty miles north of Philadelphia and ninety miles west of New York City.
Moravian Seminary and College for Women
The space that is now Payne Gallery used to be a small gymnasium, built in 1911 to allow post-Victorian young ladies of Moravian Seminary and College for Women to perform "physical culture" exercises.
Over time, the gymnasium fell into disuse. In 1963, a growing Art Department seized the opportunity presented by an idle space and set up studio classes there.
Art Class, Moravian Seminary and College for Women (1939)Payne Gallery, Moravian University
Painting class at Moravian Seminary and College for Women in the 1930s.
Payne Gallery
In 1982, the gymnasium was converted into the Frank E. and Seba B. Payne Gallery. The gallery was made possible by the extraordinary generosity of Priscilla Payne Hurd and named in honor of her parents.
Edgar Jerins, Priscilla Payne Hurd (Payne Gallery in the far background), 2011
Those Who Made It Happen
Payne Gallery was made possible through the support of Dr. Herman E. Collier, Jr. (Moravian College President 1969–1985), Priscilla Payne Hurd (Board member since 1974 and Chair, Board of Trustees, Moravian College 1999–2007), and Dr. Rudy Ackerman (Chair of the Art Department 1963–2002) who conceptualized the gallery.
Collectively (Group Exhibition, Payne Gallery) (2020/2021) by FJORD Artist CollectivePayne Gallery, Moravian University
The Main Gallery
The Main Gallery boasts a floor-to-ceiling central space 35' high with surrounding walls 14' high. The 1930 gymnasium balcony is today an upper level exhibition space for small artworks.
In 2001 the interior of Payne Gallery was renovated to Smithsonian exhibition standards.
The Permanent Collection Gallery, Payne GalleryPayne Gallery, Moravian University
The Permanent Collection Gallery
On the lower level is the Permanent Collection Gallery. On display (left to right) are sculptures by John Singer Sargent, Val Bertoia, Malvina Hoffman and paintings by The Philadelphia Ten and the New Hope Circle.
The Vault, Payne GalleryPayne Gallery, Moravian University
The Vault
Also on the lower level is a climate-controlled storage vault.
Opening Reception Gallery WoleLagunja (2018-12-01) by David LeidichPayne Gallery, Moravian University
Payne Gallery of Moravian University and its rich programing, rotating exhibitions, and permanent collection, are an integral part of the Arts for the Moravian University community, the Lehigh Valley and beyond.
Created By
David E. Leidich, Director of Payne Gallery, Curator of the Permanent Collection
Dr. Diane Radycki, Professor Art History Emerita & Director Payne Gallery Emerita
Jan Ciganick, Adjunct Professor Art History
Kelly Weaver, Moravian Alumna ’13, Artist & Designer
Photography
Hub Wilson
Steven Barth
Gordon Sillman
Luke Wynne
Links
View the Payne Gallery Exhibition Calendar:
moravian.edu/art/gallery/exhibition
Follow on Instagram:
instagram.com/payne_gallery
Made possible by generous gift of Joann M. Trotsky in honor of her parents Alexander and Elizabeth Trotsky.
