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Bruce Springsteen purchased this Corvette in 1975, after the success of Born to Run. Photos of the car have appeared on various album and single sleeves. It will be on display at the National Constitution Center, starting next Friday, February 17.
(Photo credit: Frank Stefanko courtesy Bruce Springsteen)

The sure-to-be epic Bruce Springsteen exhibition — From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen — opens next Friday at the National Constitution Center.

Yesterday, one of the signature pieces from the exhibition — Springsteen’s 1960 Chevrolet Corvette — arrived at the NCC.

Bruce Springsteen purchased this Corvette in 1975, after the success of Born to Run. Photos of the car have appeared on various album and single sleeves.

The classic Corvette is just one of more than 150 artifacts from the iconic musician’s career that will be featured in the 5,000-square-foot exhibition, including:

• Family photos of Springsteen’s childhood in Asbury Park, N.J.
• Scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings, photos and handbills from Springsteen’s early music endeavors
• Handwritten lyrics from all phases of Springsteen’s career
• Clarence Clemons’ microphone used for his saxophone
• Springsteen’s Fender Esquire from the cover of Born to Run
• The outfit Springsteen wore on the cover of Born in the U.S.A.
• Springsteen’s 1993 Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Streets of Philadelphia”

From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen is a must-see exhibition, featuring a collection never before seen outside of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. It’s the first major exhibition about the American songwriter that takes a comprehensive look at Springsteen’s catalog, from such early bands such as Child, the Castiles and Steel Mill through his work with the E Street Band and as a solo artist.

Bruce fans, plan ahead and get your tickets now. You’re not going to want to miss this.

From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen
Where: National Constitution Center
When: February 17 to September 3, 2012
Cost: $24.50 for adults, $23 for seniors and students and $12 for children ages 4-12
More info: www.constitutioncenter.org

“American tattooing began with the sailor”, says John Brady, CEO of Philadelphia’s Independence Seaport Museum.

And, while sparsely clad, voluptuous women or anchors a la Popeye may not be everyone’s first choice in ink these days, the act and idea of expressing oneself through the art of tattooing still remains a popular tradition that is ever-evolving in our time.

On Thursday, February 9, the Independence Seaport Museum debuts Past to Present: Tattoo Paintings, a three month exhibit dedicated to the contemporary tattoo art movement.

On display in the museum’s second floor community gallery, many of the tattoo paintings are for sale and can be purchased through the museum’s store.

In addition, guests can get “inked” by an electronic artist which was featured in the Museum’s 2009 exhibit Skin & Bones: Tattoos in the Life of the American Sailor, and for the real deal visitors can wait to make an appearance at the museum’s three day tattoo festival in June.

Past to Present: Tattoo Paintings at the Independence Seaport Museum
Where: 211 S. Columbus Boulevard
When: February 9-May 20
Cost: Admission is $10-$12
More info: www.phillyseaport.org

Three storyboard designs for 'Outside Over There.' Pen and ink. © 1976 by Maurice Sendak.

On the heels of his epically hilarious two-part Colbert Report interview, celebrated children’s author and illustrator Maurice Sendak is ushering in 2012 with a new exhibit of his life’s work at Rittenhouse Square’s Rosenbach Museum & Library.

“Pen to Publisher” features two full galleries of Sendak’s creations, ranging from his early 1960 work The Sign on Rosie’s Door to 2003′s Brundibar, a story written by Tony Kushner based on a Czech opera performed for the children of a Nazi concentration camp.

The exhibit focuses on the process of publication and the relationships between Sendak and his collaborators. It will include illustration layouts, color separations, press proofs and publicity materials from Sendak’s published and unpublished work.

As a recipient of the Library of Congress’ “Living Legend” award and countless other accolades, Maurice Sendak truly is one of the greats. Check out this awesome new show running through mid-July.

“Pen to Publisher: The Life of Three Sendak Picture Books”
Where: The Rosenbach Museum & Library, 2008-10 Delancey Place
When: Now through July 15
Cost: $10, $8 for seniors, $5 for students, free for children under the age of 5
More Info: www.rosenbach.org

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

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]

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

The Franklin Institute has an exciting new exhibit in store called Design Zone that incorporates art and math and shows how people create cool stuff like video games, laser light shows and more.

Go behind the scenes and see how creative problem solvers like skate park designers, music producers, roller coaster engineers and others use math to do the awesome things they do.

Organized into three interactive areas, the exhibit highlights the relationship between math and the creative process in art, music and engineering.

You can build skyscrapers, design a video game, spin tracks like a DJ, throw a dance party, make your own instruments, construct a roller coaster and compete in a virtual bike race.

Design Zone opens January 28 and runs through April 1.

Design Zone at Franklin Institute
When: January 28-April 1
Where: 222 N. 20th Street
Cost: Free with general admission tickets
More info: www.fi.edu