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Drawn from the expansive comics collection of William F. Wu, Marvels & Monsters examines stereotypes of Asian identity formed over half a century ago that continue to shape the perceptions of Asian Americans today. (Images courtesy Asian Arts Initiative)

Drawing from the expansive collection of science fiction author and cultural studies scholar William F. Wu, the Asian Arts Initiative’s latest exhibition, Marvels & Monsters: Unmasking Asian Images in U.S. Comics, 1942-1986, opens this Friday, February 3, with a free and open-to-the-public reception from 6-8 p.m.

Covering more than four decades of imagery, Marvels & Monsters offers a captivating look at America’s evolving racial and cultural sensibility as it is perceived in comic books, highlighting how images of Asian-Americans have influenced contemporary culture.

In addition to the images from Wu’s collection, the exhibit will also showcase a series of present-day graphic novels by Asian-Americans, including Ken Chen, Naomi Hirahara and Genny Lim.

And be sure to mark your calendars for Thursday, March 1 at 6 p.m. when AAI hosts an exhibition-related film screening and panel discussion. For more info about the exhibit and related programming, click here.

Marvels & Monsters: Unmasking Asian Images in U.S. Comics, 1942-1986
When: On view February 3-March 23; Opening Reception, Friday, February 3, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine Street
Cost: Free
More info: www.asianartsinitiative.org

Paul Evans (1931-1987) , Sculpted Steel Wall Collage, 1970. (Image courtesy Michener Museum)

The creative energy, broad technical repertoire and innovative designs of studio craft artists of the Delaware Valley are subjects of the Michener Art Museum’s new installation entitled Intelligent Design, opening February 3.

Whether a mosaic tile, an abstract form in wood, a wall sculpture, or a ceramic vessel, as nonverbal forms of human expression these works not only reflect cultural values but can function to transform the particulars of our everyday lives.

Says Curator of Collections Constance Kimmerle, “The strong studio craft tradition of southeastern Pennsylvania represents a significant collecting opportunity for the Michener Art Museum, and it’s exciting to be doing this in the area in which the museum is actively building its permanent collection.” Cheers to that.

Intelligent Design at the Michener Art Museum
When: Permanent exhibition opening February 3
Where: 138 S. Pine Street, Doylestown
Cost: Children under 6 free, Adults $12.50, Seniors $11.50, College students $9.50, Ages 6-18 $6
More info: www.michenermuseum.org

Acclaimed photographer Tal Shochat's work will be on display courtesy of the Andrea Meislin Gallery in New York. (Photo courtesy Andrea Meislin Gallery)

The National Museum of American Jewish History invites you to help celebrate Tu B’Shevat, the Festival of the Trees, as it opens its new exhibit “In Praise of a Dream,” a special photo collection by acclaimed Israeli artist Tal Shochat.

Shochat’s work will keep with this theme as she highlights only the most beautiful fruit trees that she has found in her travels throughout Israel.

Shochat’s distinctive photographs produce an ethereal, dream-like feel, as each tree is impeccably pruned and photographed against a black background. The result is a symbol of strength in an otherwise unnatural environment, and a hand-picked reminder of the beauty in nature that surrounds us daily.

“In Praise of a Dream” will be the inaugural exhibit on the Museum’s concourse level, opening up an exciting new chapter for the Museum.

In case you haven’t had a chance to make it over to this phenomenally-designed building, “In Praise of a Dream” will be running, very appropriately, through Earth Day, April 22.

Advance ticket purchase is required for Saturday visits, and is available online.

“In Praise of a Dream”
When: Wednesday, February 1-April 22
Where: National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall East
Cost: $11-$12, Free for members, active military and children under the age of 12
More info: www.nmajh.org

It’s opening day for Van Gogh Up Close, the latest headlining exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The exhibit, featuring more than 40 of the close-up works the masterful artist crafted in his later years, has already received praise from The Wall Street Journal and is sure to garner more in the coming weeks.

Ppurchase your timed tickets in advance to guarantee your chance to see these works of art.

Van Gogh Up Close at The Philadelphia Museum Of Art
When: February 1-May 6
Where: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Cost: Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors, ages 13-18 $20, 5-12 $12, kids under 4 Free
More info: www.philamuseum.org

Catch one of Mozart's rare operas at the Prince Music Theater, performed by the talented Center City Opera Theater. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

Mozart’s classic comedic opera, The Marriage of Figaro, comes to the Prince Music Theater February 4 and 5 as Center City Opera Theater (CCOT) stages its very first production of this popular 1786 comedy.

Since debuting in Vienna in 1786, The Marriage of Figaro has become one of the most popular operas of all time. The piece’s hilarious plot follows the trials and tribulations of Figaro and his bride-to-be Susanna as they attempt to plan their wedding, much to the dismay of lord Count Almaviva.

The production is fully-staged and sung in English, featuring members of CCOT’s Young Artist Program and chamber orchestra.

In an effort to bring affordable opera to the City of Brotherly Love, CCOT is offering general admission tickets at $39, with special VIP seating priced at $59, and student rush tickets are available at just $10 a pop!

Tickets are available online.

The Marriage of Figaro
When: Saturday, February 4 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, February 5 at 2 p.m.
Where: Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street
Cost: $10 student rush; $39 general admission; $59 VIP
More info: www.operatheater.org

The Wall Street Journal just published a flattering review of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s soon to open marquee exhibition Van Gogh Up Close, featuring more than 40 of the close-up works the masterful artist crafted in his later years. The writer describes the exhibit as “full of revelations” and “brief moments of peace in a turbulent life” as much for the artist 130 years ago and the viewer today. Check it out for yourself once the exhibition opens to the public on February 1. [Wall Street Journal]

Theatre Confetti, which recently celebrated a successful re-launch party, is unveiling Martha Undressed, a Martha Graham Cracker cabaret performance from Dito van Reigersberg of Pig Iron Theatre Company.

The February 2 song and dance production begins at 8 p.m. at Chez Colette in The Sofitel.

In addition to the stripped-down drag queen act, guests can give their own performances in the blog booth designed by Fanny Allie of Creme Design, the creative team behind the re-launch party.

As Martha puts it, “Madness will ensue.”

Tickets can be purchased in advance online for $10 or at the door for $15.

Martha Undressed
Where: Chez Colette at The Sofitel, 120 S. 17th Street
When: Thursday, February 2, 8 p.m.
Cost: $10 in advance, $15 at door
More info: www.theatreconfetti.com

The Philadelphia Art Alliance presents three exciting contemporary exhibitions opening in Winter 2012. (Photo courtesy Philadelphia Art Alliance)

Join the Philadelphia Art Alliance at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 2 for a free opening reception for three exciting new exhibitions.

In the First Floor Galleries, the Art Alliance presents two solo exhibitions, Sondra Sherman: “Found Subjects,” and Andrea Donnelly: “Binary.”

“Found Subjects” is the first solo Philadelphia exhibition by Philly-born and California-based metalsmith Sondra Sherman. Sherman has carved hollows into the pages of twelve vintage books and placed a unique piece of jewelry into the empty spaces.

It’s also be the first solo exhibit in Philadelphia for Richmond-based artist Andrea Donnelly, who creates large-scale woven works. She applies a monoprint to hand-woven cloth, then reweaves it into two separate mirror images.

In the Second Floor Galleries, the Art Alliance presents “A Sense of Place,” a group exhibition of eight women textile artists exploring the theme of location understood as both a physical space and as a site in memory and experience. This exhibition is being presented as a featured exhibition of the FiberPhiladelphia 2012 festival.

In honor of all this great new work, the Art Alliance will host a gallery tour and talk led by Chief Curator Sarah Archer and exhibiting artists, followed by a reception with refreshments.

Philadelphia Art Alliance Opening Reception of Three New Winter Exhibits
When: Thursday, February 2, 5:30 p.m.
Where: 251 S. 18th Street
Cost: Free
More info: www.philartalliance.org

Fred Armisen (Saturday Night Live) and Carrie Brownstein (Wild Flag, Sleater Kinney) from IFC’s hit original comedy Portlandia are embarking on a unique limited tour bringing the romanticized and dreamy rendering of Portland, OR to life for fans across the country.

They’re heading to Philadelphia for two shows in one night on Sunday, February 19 at The Trocadero. The first show is already sold out, but The Troc has added a late night show at 10:30 p.m.

“Portlandia: The Tour” will feature Armisen and Brownstein, the co-creators, writers and stars of Portlandia, performing live music, presenting sneak-peek clips from the show’s second season and sharing personal anecdotes about the creation and inspiration of Portlandia and its variety of eccentric characters.

“Portlandia: The Tour” began (where else?) in Portland, OR, on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 and is making its way around the country.

The TV show has been a critical success, and it’s sure to be a hilarious evening.

“Portlandia: The Tour” at The Trocadero
When: Sunday, February 19, 8 and 10:30 p.m.
Where: 1003 Arch Street
Cost: $30
More info: www.thetroc.com

Discover the life and art of pioneering African-American artist Henry O. Tanner at PAFA's major new exhibition Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit, on display starting January 28. (Photos by T. Scheid for GPTMC)

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, an artistic gem in Center City, boasts treasures by local and national luminaries such as Charles Willson Peale (founder of the Academy), Thomas Eakins (who taught at PAFA) and Violet Oakley.

This winter and spring, PAFA complements its luminous collection with Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit an exhibition of more than 100 works by the PAFA-taught artist Henry Tanner (Eakins was one of his instructors; Tanner studied at PAFA from 1879-1885).

The collection includes 12 paintings never shown in a Tanner retrospective, the only two known sculptures Tanner completed as well as his career-making Resurrection of Lazarus from the collection of the Musée d’Orsay which has never before crossed the Atlantic.

Visitors can purchase the most complete scholarly publication on Henry O. Tanner to date as well as the first-ever children’s book about Tanner, written and illustrated by renowned artist-author Faith Ringgold and published by PAFA.

After its premiere at PAFA, Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit will continue on a national tour, with stops in Cincinnati and Houston.

Keep in mind PAFA has free admission on Sundays and extended hours every Wednesday evening.

Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit
When: January 28-April 15
Where: Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts, Hamilton Building, 128 N. Broad Street
Cost: Adults $15, Seniors (60+) and students $8, Youth (13–18) $6, Children (12 and under) Free
More info: www.pafa.org