UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State and bachelor of fine arts students in the School of Visual Arts invite students, faculty, staff, and the public to join them for "Films En Plein Air," an outdoor film series scheduled for Saturday evenings in September. Films start at 8 p.m. and will be screened in the lawn area between the Palmer Museum of Art and the Visual Arts Building. In case of rain, the film will be screened in the sculpture studio on the first floor of the Visual Arts Building. Bring snacks and a blanket and join your friends for an evening of artistic cinema.
The fall 2016 schedule will feature:
"Girl with a Pearl Earring" (2003)
Saturday, Sept. 3, 8 p.m.
This film chronicles a fictionalized account of Griet, a young peasant maid working for the family of Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer, who becomes his talented assistant and the model for one of his most famous works of art, "Girl with a Pearl Earring" (c. 1665). Directed by Peter Webber, starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth. Rated PG-13.
"Big Eyes" (2014)
Saturday, Sept. 10, 8 p.m.
A biography of the artist Margaret Keane, whose paintings of children with sentimentalized, oversized eyes became wildly popular in the 1950s. Her husband, Walter, who claimed the works as his own, and their acrimonious divorce set the stage for a reclamation of her name, her life, and her work. Directed by Tim Burton, starring Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz. Rated PG-13.
"Pleasantville" (1998)
Saturday, Sept. 17, 8 p.m.
Twins David and Jennifer live fairly typical lives for teenagers in the 1990s until they find themselves trapped in a 1950s sitcom after a mysterious repairman shows up to fix the television that they broke during an argument. Their new lives in "Pleasantville" are idyllic, perfect, and innocent — or are they? Directed by Gary Ross, starring Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon. Rated PG-13.
"Basquiat" (1996)
Saturday, Sept. 24, 8 p.m.
Jean-Michel Basquiat, who began his career as a painter by spraying graffiti and living in a cardboard box, quickly became a star in the New York art world after giving Andy Warhol postcards of his work. His meteoric rise was tempered by racism, addiction, and a deep mistrust of art critics, collectors, and dealers. Directed by Julian Schnabel, starring Jeffrey Wright and Claire Forlani (with cameos by David Bowie, Courtney Love, and Henry Geldzahler, among others). Rated R.
This film series is sponsored by the Friends of the Palmer Museum of Art. A Friends of the Palmer Museum of Art one-year membership at the student level begins at $10 and provides benefits such as invitations to members-only events, such as opening exhibition receptions, and a 10 percent discount at the museum store, excluding consignment items.
Exhibitions on view at the Palmer Museum of Art this fall are "Recent Acquisitions: Gifford Beal in Rockport" from Aug. 23 through Dec. 18; "The Gentle Satire of Adolf Dehn" from Aug. 30 through Dec. 18; and "Expanded Practice" from Oct. 18 through Dec. 11.
The Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State is located on Curtin Road and admission is free. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The museum is closed Mondays and some holidays. Extended hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27. Reduced hours: noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, through Sunday, Nov. 27, and Saturday, Dec. 17, through Thursday, Dec. 22. The museum will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24; Friday, Nov. 25; and Friday, Dec. 23, through Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017.