ABINGTON, Pa. — As night falls on Philadelphia, light, sound and floating sculptures will emerge at Penn’s Landing during a free, immersive "Alien Invasion" designed by Penn State Abington students. Everyone is welcome as the waterfront is transformed into a captivating Halloween experience — it all begins at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Thirty sculpture students are creating paper mâché alien heads to wear as they ride in cardboard UFOs that will float in the basin between the Independence Seaport Museum (ISM) and the historic Olympia battleship. An Abington alum composed the live interactive soundscapes while students on the Lion Productions sound and lighting team collaborated with museum staff to bring the alien invasion to life.
“People should come to this event, as it celebrates the incredible creativity of our art students in a one-of-a-kind venue that is distinctly Philadelphia,” said John Pachence, associate teaching professor of music and integrative arts and Lion Productions manager.
Come out early for the ISM’s Spooky Seaport event and stay for the alien invasion, which runs from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information on the alien invasion, email hjt106@psu.edu.
Behind the scenes
A new Abington Halloween tradition kicked off last year at the campus’ Trunk or Treat event. Students handed out candy while wearing the oversized pumpkin heads they created in sculpture courses taught by H. John Thompson, teaching professor of art. This year, their work has been enhanced with a theme, and it also celebrates Abington’s partnership with ISM.
“All of this foundational learning happens in the studio classroom, and the experience of participating in a large creative community event brings their studio work into the real world. It's a testament to the students’ ability to understand and create contemporary art not only as objects, but also as community events,” said Thompson, who chairs the art degree program.
Pachence said Lion Productions students are eager to support their counterparts in art courses.
“This 'Alien Invasion' is unique as it brings together an unprecedented blend of Abington art, integrative arts and Lion Productions students, as well as the staff of the Independence Seaport Museum,” he said.
This event is made possible thanks to philanthropic support from the Creighton Family Art Excellence Fund, funded by James B. Creighton '81.
About the Abington Experience
Courses such as the one that inspired the "Alien Invasion" deepen students' understanding of material and allow them to explore real-world applications of classroom concepts, which is the foundation of the Abington Experience. This roadmap for campus to career success builds the in-demand skills and confidence proven to increase job offers, salaries and lifelong growth.
About Penn State Abington
Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education to its diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With more than 3,100 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers bachelor’s degrees in 25 majors, undergraduate research, the Schreyer Honors College, NCAA Division III athletics and more.