The Si Lewen Art Museum at the IIRP
Now Open to the Public
The Si Lewen Art Museum
at the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) Graduate School
531 Main Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM-4 PM (closed holidays)
Suggested admission: Adults $5, Children under 12 free
Information: 610-807-9221
Directions here
Si Lewen profiled on Lehigh Valley PBS's "Tempo," 1/26/09
The IIRP is dedicated to ‘restoring community in a disconnected world,’ a purpose that is consistent with the themes of my own life's work. I trust that the IIRP will make an important contribution toward making the world a better place.
— Si Lewen
View the Art of Si Lewen here.
Visit International Institute for Restorative Practices
Visit Restorative Practices Foundation
About the Artist
Si Lewen, born in Poland in 1918, fled Hitler’s Germany at 14 for Paris and then America. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II and fought abroad with the legendary Ritchie Boys (documented in the award-winning film of the same name) and was among the first to enter the just-liberated Buchenwald camp.
Resuming his art with a passion in the U.S., Lewen achieved critical and commercial success with one-man shows and group exhibits in galleries and museums in the U.S. and Europe. He now lives in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, with Rennie, his wife of 70 years, and still makes art daily.
Lewen donated his life’s work to the IIRP, a graduate school and training and consulting organization, and the museum’s sponsor.
About the Exhibit
The new museum exhibits selected Lewen paintings (some available for purchase to benefit the IIRP) and The Parade, a series of drawings, also adapted into a book and movie (featured at the 2008 Southside Film Festival, Bethlehem, Pa.).
The Parade tells the story of recurring war as Lewen saw it, watching the parades after World War I precipitate the death marches of World War II. (Buy The Parade book here.)
News & Press
12/7/09 — WFMZ TV 69 News interviews Si Lewen, IIRP president Ted Wachtel, about new Si Lewen Museum at IIRP
11/16/09 — Easton Express Times reports on opening of the Si Lewen Art Museum at the IIRP
11/15/09 — Grand opening draws enthusiastic crowd of art lovers
11/14/09 — Philadelphia Inquirer publishes front-page article on artist Si Lewen and the IIRP
2/25/09 — Si Lewen among WWII veterans knighted by France (The Ambler Gazette, Ambler, PA)
1/26/09 — Profile on Lehigh Valley PBS's "Tempo" (video on left)
6/25/08 — "Local Artist Reveals His Life on Canvas" (The Reporter, Lansdale, PA)
6/18/08 — "Art on Film" (video) (WFMZ-TV 69, Allentown, PA)