Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art

I accidentally discovered this little hole-in-the-wall gallery, with a few wrong turns and an uncanny curiosity. Having never been to the small city of Altoona, which also has the closest Pier One store to me - ahem- I decided to explore... that and the design-less configuration of intersections and exits led me straight into Downtown Altoona. And turning the corner, I see the long blue banners attached to street posts, the words "Art Museum" flapping in the breeze.

Entering the vestibule, there were two wings on either side, each holding a different exhibition. To the left was the red and black splattered acrylic paintings of Ben Jones. I followed the captivating display of works as it stretched down a ramp to what looked [and smelled] like a renovated basement of gray tiles and cabled banisters.

Jones' work itself fascinated me, the bold red colors, the quizzical circular pattern resembling a target reappearing on a majority of the canvases, and some so thick with paint it seemed to weave in and out like snakes. It's like a much more angry Jackson Pollock with a mystical vision. The soul reaching enlightenment, but in the opposite direction.

But I noticed something... despite the abstraction, I took out the brochure I picked up on the way in, looked at the painting, and back to the picture in the pamphlet... this particular piece "Blood Spirit #2" was displayed upside down!!! Outrage! Perhaps it doesn't matter, wait, yes. Yes it does matter. It's like finding a spelling mistake in a novel. Unacceptable.

Anyway, over to the right wing of the museum I opened the intimidating silver doors that led into a pitch black room. As I entered the motion censored track lights clicked on revealing the beautiful pictures of three photographers who traveled to Cuba. And I loved them as each one captured the heart and soul of a country and its inhabitants, as well as the biggest cigars I've ever seen.

So check in to see future artist exhibits at this charming little museum with an even smaller photo/coffee shop down the block. The stumbled-upon-and-fell-over exploration of Altoona I would deem well worth it.