“STILL LIFE”: This work by Howard Humbert is part of “Yesterday’s Dreams Are Real,” on view at the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pa., February 15 through July 27.

The Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pa., celebrates the legacy of Bucks County art collector Lewis Tanner Moore in a new exhibition on collecting Black art, “Yesterday’s Dreams Are Real.” Moore (1953-2024) championed the work of Black artists throughout his life, challenging arts institutions to prioritize diversity in their collecting and exhibition practices.

On view from February 15 through July 27, “Yesterday’s Dreams Are Real” includes paintings, photographs, sculptures, and works on paper by 35 artists from the collections of Moore and Michener Art Museum. more

“WINDOWS AND MIRRORS”: This oil painting by Richa Palle of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North was awarded first place in the painting category in the 12th annual Youth Art Exhibition at Phillips’ Mill in New Hope, Pa.

Local artists of the future were honored at the 12th annual Youth Art Exhibition awards ceremony at Phillips’ Mill on January 25. One hundred and forty-nine works of art representing 147 student artists from 24 Pennsylvania and New Jersey high schools were reviewed by esteemed artist Freda Williams, who selected first, second, and third place winners and honorable mentions from five categories of work — painting, works on paper, photography, 3-dimensional work, and digital art. A Best in Show was also announced and a People’s Choice award — voted on by visitors to the gallery — will be announced at the close of the exhibition. The show runs through February 16.

Best In Show was awarded to Kathryn Sweeney of Council Rock High School North in Newtown, Pa., for her colored pencil drawing, Silent Sound. In her juror’s comments, Williams said she was “deeply impressed with the image’s overall presentation.” She marveled at the skill applied to making such a complex picture with colored pencil adding “The medium was extremely well and effectively handled. The detail speaks of the attention required to achieve the end result and the perspective was unusual.” more

The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) announces that the fourth annual Princeton Porchfest will take place on Saturday, April 26 from 12 to 6 p.m. Applications for performers and porch hosts are due by February 13.

Porchfest is a walkable music festival where neighbors offer up their front porches as DIY concert venues. Local performers play 45-minute sets throughout town during this day-long celebration of music, art, and Princeton hospitality. Last year’s event attracted thousands of music lovers. more

“MEMBERS EXHIBITION”: This work by Jill Mudge is featured in the current exhibition on view at Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography in Hopewell through March 2.

Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography in Hopewell presents its “Members Exhibition” through March 2.

The exhibition features works by the member artists Rebecca DePorte, Hopewell; Jill Mudge, Pennington,; Nanci Hellmuth, Bensalem, Pa., Charles Miller, Ringoes; Philip “Dutch” Bagley, Elkins Park, Pa.; Martin Schwartz, Cranbury; Joel Blum, East Windsor; John Stritzinger, Elkins Park, Pa.; Barbara Warren, Yardley, Pa.; David Ackerman, Hopewell; and Bennett Povlow, Elkins Park , Pa.  more

Princeton University Library (PUL) opens a new exhibition in the Milberg Gallery at Firestone Library on February 19.

“The Most Formidable Weapon Against Errors: The Sid Lapidus ’59 Collection & the Age of Reason” celebrates the collecting achievements of Sid Lapidus, Class of 1959. Lapidus has dedicated many years to the acquisition of rare books that trace the emergence of Enlightenment ideas and their influence on politics, medicine, and society, creating a powerful tool for understanding the concepts that have shaped modern American society.

The exhibition is curated by Steven A. Knowlton, librarian for history and African American studies at Princeton University Library. According to Knowlton, “This exhibition showcases Sid’s careful curation of a collection that meaningfully addresses the questions of human liberty in the Age of Reason, and by extension, includes interesting works on medicine and science. Sid was also very considerate in how he donated his collection, placing books with libraries where they would best complement and extend collections to promote research. The exhibition also includes a number of items on loan from these institutions.” more

AERIAL PERFORMANCE: At McCarter Theatre, a world premiere by choreographer Rebecca Lazier and sculptor Janet Echelman is on, and above, the stage February 7 and 8.

Noli Timere, which is Latin for “be not afraid,” is a world premiere spectacle coming to McCarter’s Berlind Theatre for three performances February 7 and 8. The production is the result of a five-year collaboration between choreographer and Princeton University Professor Rebecca Lazier and sculptor Janet Echelman.

Presented in partnership with the University’s Lewis Center for the Arts, this aerial performance fuses contemporary dance, avant-garde circus, and large-scale sculpture “to explore the fragile interconnectedness of our world,” according to a press release. Set to an original score by French Canadian composer Jorane, the piece features eight multidisciplinary performers soaring up to 25 feet in the air within the net sculpture. more

CHORAL CONDUCTOR: Donald Nally is now the head of choral studies for Westminster Choir College of Rider University. (Photo by Charles Grove)

Donald Nally ’87 has been named director of choral studies for Westminster Choir College of Rider University. The three-time Grammy Award winner joined the full-time faculty this fall as conductor of the Westminster Choir and the Westminster Symphonic Choir and head of the graduate conducting program.

In his new role, he will guide undergraduate and graduate students and help set the trajectory for the College’s choral ensembles. He will continue to work with graduate conducting students in the Master of Music program. Nally studied with Joseph Flummerfelt and earned his Master of Music degree from Westminster Choir College. more

In a concert sponsored by Princeton University Concerts (PUC), the Takács String Quartet and pianist Sir Stephen Hough will come to Richardson Auditorium to perform a program of music by Beethoven, Brahams, and Hough on Thursday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m.

This will be Hough’s long-awaited PUC debut and the Takács String Quartet’s 10th PUC concert. The program features Beethoven’s String Quartet in F Major, Op. 18, No. 1; Brahms’ Quintet in F Minor for Piano and Strings, Op. 34; and Hough’s Les Six Rencontres, which he wrote specifically for the Takács Quartet. Part of the ensemble’s 50th anniversary season, the artists are bringing this program only to PUC and to The Royal Conservatory in Toronto. more

INTRIGUE AND MORE: J.B. Priestley’s “Dangerous Corner” is on stage at ActorsNET in Morrisville, Pa., through February 16. Pictured are actors Nicholas Pecht and Alyssa Capel.

ActorsNET presents J. B. Priestley’s thought-provoking drama Dangerous Corner, running through February 16 at the Heritage Center in Morrisville, Pa. Described as “a masterful exploration of time, truth, and the consequences of our choices,” the drama, which is one of Priestley’s “time plays,” invites audiences on a journey of revelation and intrigue.

“This ‘time play’ focuses on the fact that all our actions and choices have a ripple effect on those around us, like tossing a stone into a pond,” said Director Cat Milone. “Sometimes, if the stone lands differently, even ever-so-slightly, the impact could ripple out in an entirely different way and change the course of our lives and those around us. I think that’s something we can all relate to. Everyone has a moment in their lives where they think, ‘if only this one small thing had been different, I might not be where I am today.’” more