Independent Arts News Reporting First Fridays at the Barnes
Reported on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
Pictured Above: Sky Hopinka. Photo Credit: Contributed.
NEWSROOM POST: PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
As March arrives, the Barnes Foundation continues its tradition of pairing world-class art with lively cultural programming. From the ever-popular First Friday celebration to engaging talks, music, and special events throughout the month, the Barnes invites visitors to experience its remarkable collection in fresh and social ways. Here’s a look at what’s coming up this March at the Barnes Museum—perfect for art lovers, curious newcomers, and anyone looking for a memorable night out in Philadelphia.
First Friday: Katie Oberholtzer
Fri. March 6, 6-9pm
$35; National, Patron, and Contributor members and students $10; Supporters and Sustainers free
Enjoy an evening of art, live music, cocktails, and light fare at our monthly First Friday mixer.
Join us for unforgettable performances by NYC-based jazz vocalist Katie Oberholtzer, whose rich tone and dynamic artistry have captivated audiences and earned her multiple DownBeat Awards and second place in the 2023 Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition. A rising star in the jazz world, she has performed alongside legends such as Christian McBride, John Pizzarelli, Shelly Berg, Brian Lynch, and Cyrille Aim?e. Whether interpreting timeless standards or exploring contemporary jazz, she brings a fresh, expressive voice to the stage. Don’t miss this chance to experience one of jazz’s most exciting young vocalists.
Performances at 6:30 & 7:45pm.
First Friday also includes access to the collection.
Lecture & Book Signing: Soutine with Celeste Marcus
Thurs. March 12, 6-7pm
On-site $10; online $8; members and students free
Celeste Marcus | “Chaim Soutine: Genius, Obsession, and a Dramatic Life in Art”
Cha?m Soutine was born in a small shtetl outside Minsk in 1893. When Albert Barnes visited the artist’s Paris studio almost 30 years later, he quickly bought more than 50 works, causing a dramatic rise in Soutine’s popularity. Because of Dr. Barnes, Soutine’s name is still known around the world. But who was the man behind the name, and how was the work that Barnes collected different from everything else Soutine went on to paint afterward?
After the lecture, author Celeste Marcus will sign copies of her new book, Chaim Soutine: Genius, Obsession, and a Dramatic Life in Art, available for purchase at the Barnes Shop.
Red Metal Dust: An Evening with Sky Hopinka
Fri. March 20, 6-8pm
FREE; registration required.
The Barnes is proud to offer a first look at Red Metal Dust, a new installation of photographic landscapes by acclaimed multimedia artist Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk Nation/Pechanga Band of Luise?o Indians) in the Annenberg Court. Join us to preview the 11-panel work and enjoy an evening of poetry and conversation featuring Hopinka in dialogue with writer and curator Candice Hopkins. Learn more about the themes, materials, and artistic approaches that informed the installation, commissioned by the Barnes for the 250th anniversary of the United States. Red Metal Dust opens March 21, 2026.
6pm: exhibition preview
6:30pm: poetry reading and conversation
Seating is limited. Cocktails and light fare are available for purchase.
Being Present with Art: Cultivating Balance for Spring
Mon. March 23, 6-8pm
$90; members $81 (2-hour workshop)
Being Present with Art (BPWA) is a method for integrating mindfulness-based stress reduction, or MBSR, meditation with art pedagogical exercises, such as guided close looking and drawing. Developed by Roksana Filipowska, the method has been shown to lower stress while increasing awareness and a sense of belonging.
Cultivate equanimity, or mental balance, in this workshop, designed to coincide with the spring equinox. We will open with a guided equanimity meditation, a genre of meditation within MBSR, and spend ample time with three artworks from the collection that resonate with the theme of finding balance amid change. In syncing an equanimity practice with the seasonal cycle, participants can apply these exercises beyond the workshop to continue to observe the emerging signs of spring in their neighborhoods.
No prior experience with art or meditation is required. This workshop will highlight artwork that has not been the focus of previous BPWA classes, so returning students are warmly invited to enroll to deepen their practice.
