"Alice in Wonderland" mural coming to Historic Bethlehem's Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts

January 9th, 2023

[caption id=”attachment_69705” align=”aligncenter” width=”500”] Artist Kathi Ember sits with her “Alice in Wonderland” mural at Historic Bethlehem’s Kemer Museum of Decorative Arts. The painting will be unveiled 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5. (Photo by Brett Peters of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites)[/caption]

Magical and massive painting to be unveiled Feb. 5

BETHLEHEM, PA, JANUARY 9, 2023 — Don’t be late. Don’t be late … For this very important date!

In a few weeks, Kutztown-based illustrator Kathi Ember’s dynamic “Alice in Wonderland” mural will be presented in the children’s area at Historic Bethlehem’s Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts (427 N. New Street in Bethlehem).

Visitors can learn about the artist’s magical work 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, at the public unveiling. The event is free and includes refreshments, a Paint-Your-Own Tea Set activity, and a visit from “Alice” herself.

Historic Bethlehem is also developing a series of family programs to celebrate the painting and Alice’s amazing adventures in Wonderland.

“Beginning in July 2022, Kutztown-based illustrator Kathi Ember began working on the mural on the second-floor children’s area at The Kemerer,” explained museum curator Brett Peters. “After months of hard work, we’re happy to announce the mural is finished, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the job Kathi did.”

[caption id=”attachment_69706” align=”aligncenter” width=”500”] Artist Kathi Ember stands with her “Alice in Wonderland” mural at Historic Bethlehem’s Kemer Museum of Decorative Arts. The painting will be unveiled 2 p.m. Feb. 5. (Photo by Brett Peters of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites)[/caption]

“The mural is a perfect fit at the high-style Kemerer,” Ember said. “When I first met with curator, Brett Peters, to discuss a mural for the area, I told him that I felt the room needed some bright intense colors on the wall and that the flooring called to mind an Alice in Wonderland theme.

“It was a very simple decision,” Ember added. “It is a beloved, classic story that is full of fantastic imagery. It is a perfect fit for the Kemerer …and for me.”