museums, art galleries, library, exhibitions and performances
museums, art galleries, library, exhibitions and performances | ||||
|
Penang has an active calendar of cultural activities to satisfy even the most ravenous culture vulture. The annual Penang-YTL Arts Festival, for example, showcases all things art – a symphony orchestra, live theatre, jazz jams, cultural dances, art exhibition and more. For a little intellectual stimulation, the city boasts several museums and art galleries. An artist-run gallery that showcases mainly sketches, artwork and photography by Penang-based artists. Tel: 04-261 8001 P. Ramlee's Birthplace and Gallery, Jalan P. Ramlee P. Ramlee's house is located at Lot 2180, Jalan P. Ramlee, Penang. P. Ramlee was born in this house which was built in 1926 by his father and uncle, Rejab bih Hussein. The house was twice renovated by the latter – once during the Japanese Occupation and the other in 1948. The national Archives accquired the house and carried out restoration works in 1991. The original form of the house is still intact. Today, a small gallery stands next to Ramlee's birthplace, displaying memorabilia of all kinds. Penang Islamic Museum, Lebuh Armenian Feckless development and public apathy has resulted in only a handful of the elegant and historical homes of Penang Malays left standing. Two notable examples are the Syed Alatas Mansion on Armenian Street and the Segara Ninda, home of Ku Din Ku Meh, both good examples of upper-class Muslim residences of the 19th century, incorporating an eclectic mix of European, Indian and Malay cultural influences. The Penang Islamic Museum is open to the public daily except on Tuesdays. Visiting hours are from 9.30am to 6.00pm. Entrance fee is RM3 for adults and RM1 for children below 12 years of age. Address: 128, Armenian Street, Penang, Malaysia. Tel: 604-262 0172 Fax: 604-264 4692 Penang Museum and Art Gallery, Lebuh Farquhar Located at Lebuh Farquhar, the Penang Museum and Art Gallery is one of the most popular attractions in Malaysia. The building which houses the museum was built in 1821 and was formerly the Penang Free School. It showcases old photographs, maps, charts, historical relics, paintings of early Penang, all of which provide an insight to Penang's history. Penang Public Library The two public libraries house a fine collection of books and magazines for casual reading or research. George Town: JKR 2936, Scotland Road, 10450 Penang Tel: 604-228 7010 Pinang Peranakan Mansion, Church Street A very good example of adaptive reuse, the former home of Kapitan Chung Keng Kwee has been converted into a showcase of the opulent lifestyle of the Peranakans and their many customs and traditions, displaying over a thousand pieces of antiques and collectibles of this unique community. Opens: Monday - Saturday from 9am to 5pm Entrance fee: RM10 for adult (aged 12 and above), Free for children below 12 and RM5 for State Art Gallery, Dewan Sri Pinang Located within the Dewan Sri Pinang, the Art Gallery features two exhibitions. A permanent collection featuring the crème de la crème of Malaysian artists situated on the third floor, and a contemporary collection on the ground floor. Themed exhibits featuring a particular artist and other exhibitions are held regularly. The Proposed Dr Sun Yat-Sen Museum, Lorong Susu The date targeted for the completion of the museum is 2005. In the meantime, the Sun Yat-Sen Research Centre is open to public by appointment only. It serves as a nerve centre for planning and collecting information, records and artifacts of Dr Sun Yat-Sen's six years involvement in Penang. Contact: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Museum Foundation USM ABN AMRO Art & Culture Centre, 9, Beach Street, Penang This gallery, which is divided into sections and floors, houses a fascinating collection of local and regional art, and supports Malaysian artists. Please call for more information. Tel: 016-440 5130. Admission is free. USM Museum & Gallery, USM Campus, Penang Exhibits on arts and culture like drama, fine arts and traditional music, anthropology, also ethnography, science and technology, ecology and environment, archaeology and a mini planetarium. Opens: Monday-Thursday from 9.00am to 4.30pm; Friday from 9.00am to 12.15pm Yahong Art Gallery Set among swaying palm trees, a Malay village and the Batu Ferringhi beach is the privately owned Yahong Art Gallery featuring the oeuvres d'art of Malaysia's foremost batek artist, Chuah Then Teng, and those of his three sons. Most pieces are for sale, if you can meet the asking prices! Those with less loftier ambitions can opt for the myriad souvenirs available on the ground floor, all priced very affordably. Read about Teng in our story called Pastoral charms and rustic women – the batik art of Teng. An appreciation of a local legend Yahong is opened from 9.30am to 10.00pm and admission to the gallery is free. War Museum, Batu Maung If you want to know what life was like in Penang during wartime, you'll find some of the answers at the Penang War Museum. Housed in what was once a British fort built during World War II, the museum is the only one of its kind in the country. Opens: Daily from 9:00am to 7:00pm. | ||||
