Arthur Ross Gallery

Caretaker of 9,000 works of art

As the director of the Penn Art Collection in charge of nearly 9,000 artworks, Lynn Smith Dolby manages the conservation, registration, and display of all University-owned art, indoors and outdoors across campus.

Louisa Shepard

‘Ritual and Remembrance’

Work by four artists in the current Arthur Ross Gallery exhibition, “Songs for Ritual and Remembrance,” uplift histories that have been repressed and underrepresented, including those of enslaved people and oppressed laborers.

Louisa Shepard

A rare rediscovery revealed

An oil painting by 19th-century French artist Gustave Courbet that was found in the School of Dental Medicine’s storage is now on view at the Arthur Ross Gallery.

Louisa Shepard

‘Paths to Freedom’: A new exhibit by John E. Dowell

In a new Arthur Ross Gallery exhibition, Philadelphia artist John E. Dowell imagines attempted escapes by enslaved ancestors through his photographs of North Carolina cotton fields at night. “Paths to Freedom” includes 26 artworks, an installation of fabric panels, and a soundscape.

Louisa Shepard



In the News


WHYY (Philadelphia)

Philly artist wins $100K craft prize for her work remembering Black ancestors

Philadelphia-based artist Adebunmi Gbadebo’s work, which sources materials directly from her enslaved ancestors, is on display at the Arthur Ross Gallery as part of the group exhibition “Songs for Ritual Remembrance.”

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Philadelphia Inquirer

The Paris-to-Philadelphia story of a rebel artist, a visionary dentist, and a treasure lost and found

Lynn Marsden-Atlass of the Arthur Ross Gallery discusses the rediscovery of a lost Gustave Courbet painting in the basement of the School of Dental Medicine. It is now the centerpiece of a new exhibition.

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Smithsonian Magazine

Workers stumble upon lost Courbet painting in university basement

Lynn Marsden-Atlass of the Arthur Ross Gallery discusses a new exhibition centered around a Gustave Courbet painting rediscovered in the basement of the School of Dental Medicine.

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WHYY (Philadelphia)

Forgotten painting by a 19th century French rebel is discovered at Penn

University Curator Lynn Marsden-Atlass and André Dombrowski of the School of Arts & Sciences comment on the discovery of a 150-year-old painting by radical French realist Gustave Courbet on Penn’s campus.

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The New York Times

His first art was graffiti. Now his pottery is in the Met

Ceramicist Robert Lugo curated a show at Penn’s Arthur Ross Gallery, on view through Dec. 1. The exhibition features his own work and pieces from the ARG’s collection.

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CBS Philadelphia

Philadelphia pottery artist Roberto Lugo

Robert Lugo, whose installation is on view at the Arthur Ross Gallery, was interviewed about using his artwork to engage the local community and challenge popular notions about class, race, and pottery.

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