Permanent Collection

Northlight Theatre presents Permanent Collection, by Thomas Gibbons, directed by Lisa Portes.

A Renoir painting or an African mask: which holds more artistic value? Inspired by the true controversies surrounding Philadelphia’s acclaimed Barnes Foundation, this provocative drama explores what happens when the new African-American director of an eminent private art museum proposes a change to the museum’s revered collection; a change that goes against the explicit instructions of the museum’s recently deceased founder. As the battle ensues, Permanent Collection delves deep into opposing views of art, race, and culture, exploring an issue that is far from black and white. A provocative new drama from the author of Bee-LutherHatchee.