Vision
Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA) is a community art museum founded in 1976. SAMA successfully operates the nation’s longest-running museum satellite system with four museum facilities in the southwestern Pennsylvania cities of Altoona, Bedford, Johnstown, and Ligonier. The Museum maintains a permanent collection of more than 7,500 works of local, regional, national and international artists. SAMA’s four museums offer award-winning education programs, special events, and approximately thirty to forty exhibitions annually.
Mission
The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA) aspires to be a dynamic cultural leader, enriching lives through innovative exhibitions and programs that inspire curiosity, foster inclusivity, and advance the appreciation of American art. We aim to serve as a vibrant hub for artistic exploration, education, and community engagement, accessible to all.
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"Unpacking and putting papers away after this journey reminds me of the high point of my visit. Your museum is one of them."
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- Grier S., SAMA visitor feedback
General Admission
FREE. There is no required fee to visit SAMA.
Please consider a $5 donation per visitor upon arrival. Donations allow us to continue providing free and low-cost educational services, cultural event programming, and regional artistic exhibitions. Thank you for your support!
Museum Hours
Wed—Sun: 12 pm—4:30 pm
Closed Monday—Tuesday
*Johnstown by appointment only
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Please check each site's facebook page for up-to-date information: a museum may be closed for installation between exhibitions or for a national holiday, maintenance, private events, or other non-regular events.
Accessibility
Each SAMA museum has galleries on the main floor which are accessible to all visitors. Second floor accessibility varies by location. The Bedford and Loretto sites provide viewing of upper level exhibitions from monitors on the first floor.
Parking
Free parking is available at all locations.
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Altoona has time limited parking and suggests the garage for an extended visit. For overnight lodging and other things to do in Altoona, please visit www.explorealtooona.com
DIRECTIONS
Altoona
in the Brett Building
Bedford
in the Anderson House
Johnstown
in the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center
Ligonier
on Route 711 South
(724) 238-6015
Loretto
on the campus of
Saint Francis University
History
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June 1976 SAMA opened its doors with a permanent collection consisting of 47 paintings, drawings, and sculpture, and a collection of 20 etchings by John Sloan
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Michael M. Strueber was appointed as SAMA’s first Director, with the Rev. Sean M. Sullivan, T.O.R., the first President of the Board of Trustees
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1979 the Altoona museum opens *moves to Brett Building in 1994
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1982 the Johnstown museum opens *moves to Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center on the campus of University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in 1990s
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1996 SAMA received accreditation from the American Association of Museums (AAM)
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Sept 1997 the Ligonier Valley museum opens *Donald M. Robinson Sculpture Park is added in 2018
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1998 SAMA became a partner of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
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May 2018 the Bedford museum opens
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The Museum welcomes approximately 81,000 visitors annually
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SAMA’s service region covers Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties
Awards
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2023 Greater Latrobe School District Art Conservation Trust Art Gala honoree
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2018 Initiative Awards in Community Involvement, Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Awards
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2011 Blair County Arts Hall of Fame inductee
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2011 President’s Award of the Allegheny Mountains Convention & Visitors Bureau
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2002 National Award for Museum Service, Institute of Museum and Library Services
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2001 “Power of Creativity” Community Arts Education Award Initiative, Americans for the Arts and Binney & Smith
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1997/98 Best Practice in Pennsylvania Arts Education Award, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and Pennsylvania Department of Education
Museum Staff
​Sandra Hampton
Director of Operations
Beverlie Hartnett
Registrar
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​Erica Kilbride
Director of Marketing and Engagement
Heather R. Konhaus
SAMA Ligonier Valley
Site Coordinator
Kristin Miller
Education Coordinator and
SAMA Ligonier Valley
Site Director
Scott Riner
SAMA Altoona and Bedford
Site Director
Lee Rummel
Facilities Manager
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Michael M. Strueber
Director Emeritus
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Board of Trustees
Barry Newborn
President
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Ann Benzel
Vice President
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Larry Savino
Treasurer
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Joan Mudge
Secretary
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Karen Azer
Meghan L. Bardell
Abigail Cook
Carly Cook
Hon. Timothy Creany
Fred Danziger
Landon Defibaugh
John K. Duggan, Jr.
Glenda Forosisky
Stephen A. George
Jeanne Gleason, Emerita
Deedra Kazmaier
Joan McCreary, Emerita
Barbara O’Brien
Dawn Pellas
Stephen Sloan
Ehrin Ward