The Foundation for the Reading Public Museum has announced the acquisition of “Cupid Riding a Dolphin” (1838), a rare painting by Pennsylvania artist Adam Mortimer Lightner (1815–1840). The acquisition strengthens the museum’s holdings of early American art while bringing renewed attention to the remarkable achievements of a gifted regional painter whose promising career was cut tragically short.
The Reading Public Museum has acquired “Cupid Riding a Dolphin,” oil on canvas, by Adam Mortimer Lightner. (Courtesy of the Reading Public Museum)
Born into a prominent Lancaster County family, Lightner received his earliest artistic training with John Beck of Lititz before continuing his studies in Philadelphia through the Artists’ Fund Society, established in 1835.
Among the influential Pennsylvania artists who encouraged his early development were Jacob Eichholtz (1776–1842), Bass Otis (1784–1861), and Joshua Shaw (1776–1861). Demonstrating an early aptitude for portraiture, Lightner soon sought advanced training in Europe.
Beginning his European tour in February 1839, Lightner traveled first to London before arriving in Paris, where he studied under the celebrated French academic painter Paul Delaroche (1797–1856). He later continued his education at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence before settling in Rome, where he joined a community of young American artists that included Daniel Huntington (1816–1906). A remarkable series of surviving letters to his family chronicles both the challenges and aspirations of a young American artist abroad. Writing from Rome, Lightner reflected on the realities of life in Europe:
“I was told before leaving America that I could live in Paris for little or nothing, but I found it quite the reverse,” he said. “It is true, to live like some of the French, one might live very cheap, but the living would also be cheap… In Florence, it cost me more, but I lived more comfortabl(y), and this place, Rome, it cost(s) still more…”
By January 1840, worsening symptoms of consumption (tuberculosis) forced Lightner to abandon his studies and return home. He died in October of that year at 26 years of age.
“Lightner occupies a fascinating place in Pennsylvania’s artistic history,” said curator Scott Schweigert. “Although his career was brief, his work reveals extraordinary talent and ambition. ‘Cupid Riding a Dolphin’ offers visitors an opportunity to discover an artist whose achievements deserve greater recognition while illustrating the rich cultural exchange between Pennsylvania artists and the artistic traditions of Europe.”
Lightner’s work continued to receive recognition after his death. His paintings were exhibited posthumously at the Artists’ Fund Society in Philadelphia in 1840 and at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1849. In 1851, four of his works were shown in Reading at the Reading Academy, where his brother was then living.
Painted in the late 1830s, before the artist embarked on his studies in Europe, “Cupid Riding a Dolphin” depicts the youthful god of love triumphantly riding a dolphin across the sea. Drawing upon themes from classical mythology, the painting reflects the enduring influence of Renaissance and Baroque art on American painters during the early 19th century. Its luminous palette, graceful modeling, and carefully balanced composition demonstrate Lightner’s sophisticated command of academic painting traditions and his ambition to engage with the grand subjects of European art.
“Cupid Riding a Dolphin” is on view in the ground floor Atrium Gallery. The painting was recently conserved through the museum’s conservation program by Karen Baxter.
About the Reading Public Museum: The Reading Public Museum, 500 Museum Road, is a dynamic center of lifelong learning that collects, preserves, and interprets objects of art, science, and civilization to engage, educate, and enlighten current and future generations from our diverse communities. The Reading Public Museum is supported in part by grants from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Admission per day is $14 for adults (18-64), $8 for children/seniors/college students (with ID) and free to members and children 3 years old and under. Currently enrolled Reading School District students and up to five accompanying guests receive free regular museum admission and free admission to public Neag Planetarium shows with proof of enrollment. The museum is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit online at www.readingpublicmuseum.org.
Movies
The Borough of Wyomissing has announced the 2026 Movies in the Park series, featuring four family-friendly movie nights. This year’s lineup brings together music, baseball, basketball, nostalgia, and a brand-new animated adventure.
“Movies in the Park is one of my favorite family nights in the borough,” said Borough Council President Kristen Gajewski. “As a parent, I love that it gives us a simple way to get the kids together, get out of the house, and have fun close to home. My kids always enjoy seeing their friends, playing before the movie starts, and settling in for the show. It’s the kind of night that reminds you how special it is to raise a family in a community like Wyomissing.”
The schedule:
• Aug. 15: “Sing,” Wyomissing Hills Memorial Park, 8 p.m. The series opens with “Sing” as the film marks its 10th anniversary. This bright, music-filled animated comedy follows Buster Moon, an optimistic koala who launches a citywide singing competition in hopes of saving his beloved theater. Filled with familiar songs, big personalities, and a message about stepping into the spotlight, “Sing” is a perfect way to kick off the series with energy, laughter, and heart.
• Sept. 11: “The Sandlot,” Berkshire Heights Playground, 8 p.m. A true summer classic, “The Sandlot” brings baseball, friendship, neighborhood adventure, and plenty of nostalgia to the big screen. With Major League Baseball’s championship season right around the corner, this is the perfect time to enjoy one of the most beloved baseball movies of all time. For generations of fans, it is more than a movie — it is backyard baseball, summer days, and the kind of childhood memories that never really leave us.
• Sept. 26: “Space Jam,” Happy Hollow Playground, 8 p.m. Thirty years after it first brought basketball, animation, comedy, and larger-than-life sports fun to the big screen, “Space Jam” returns for a throwback movie night at Happy Hollow Playground. This high-energy favorite is a great fit for a movie night, bringing together sports fans, families, kids, and adults who remember when this movie first became a classic.
Eight-year-old Bonnie becomes consumed with her cute, kid-friendly electronic tablet named Lilypad in “Toy Story 5,” which provides a lesson for parents. (Pixar Animation Studios)
• Oct. 3: “Toy Story 5,” Stone House Lawn, 7:30 p.m. The series wraps up with “Toy Story 5,” a new release and the next chapter the beloved animated movie series. Families are invited to gather on the Stone House Lawn for a fall movie night filled with imagination, adventure, and the familiar heart that has made Toy Story a favorite across generations.
All Movies in the Park events are free and open to the community. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, snacks, and anything they need to enjoy a comfortable evening outdoors.
Event reminders, weather updates, and additional information will be shared through the Borough of Wyomissing and Wyomissing Recreation Department communication channels.
Books
Dr. Olapeju Simoyan of Wyomissing has announced the release of “Sweet Land of Liberty: The Stories Behind America’s National Symbols and Songs,” an engaging educational book written in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Through vivid photography, accessible explanations, and historical insight, the book offers a memorable exploration of the icons that represent the nation’s history, values, and aspirations.
Designed to make American history and civics both approachable and meaningful, “Sweet Land of Liberty” takes readers on a journey through the official and unofficial symbols that have become woven into the fabric of the United States. From the bald eagle and the national motto to the White House, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial, the book explores how these landmarks and symbols came to embody important aspects of the nation’s identity and heritage.
The inspiration for the book grew from Simoyan’s passion for history, travel, and education. As a physician who has spent years exploring significant historical sites across the United States, she sought to create a resource that would encourage readers to look beyond familiar images and discover the stories behind them. By combining original photography with engaging historical narratives, the book transforms well-known symbols into gateways for learning about America’s past and present.
In addition to visual landmarks and national emblems, the book highlights the role of patriotic music in shaping the American experience. Readers are introduced to beloved songs such as “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful,” gaining insight into how music serves as a powerful expression of national ideals.
The book is available on Amazon.
Theater
Reading Civic Theatre, 4350 Perkiomen Ave., Exeter Township, will present the popular and powerful musical “Rent” as its fourth production of the 2026 season. “Rent” is set in the East Village of New York City. “Rent” explores love, loss, friendship, poverty, urban renewal and the search for meaning, encapsulated by the famous line, “No day but today.”
It won a Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It is based loosely on Puccini’s “La Boheme” and follows a year in the lives of a diverse group of friends, including filmmakers, musicians, and performers, as they deal with eviction, addiction, and the HIV/AIDS crisis in the late 1980s and early 1990s
The show is directed and produced by Jeannette DeAngelo with musical direction by Charles Troxel and choreography by Angela DeAngelo. Mary Stankiewicz is the stage manager, with Linda Bechtel coordinating the costumes. Drew Eck is the set designer and builder with technical direction by Brandon Kegerize. Jessica Skelly and Natalie Natal serve as the props directors. Lighting design will be handled by Jeff Cusano.
The cast of the Reading Civic Theatre production of “Rent.” (Courtesy of Reading Civic Theatre)
Dan Hauk and Cody Hoppes lead the cast of 17. Other cast members are Moses Banks, James Barksdale, Deacon Hearing, Samantha Pineiro, Siera Runyon, Jessica Skelly, Melissa Adams, Billy Beck, Julius Campbell, Maxi Estrada, James Francisco, Lauren Heyer, Sofia Stankiewicz, Stephen Stankiewicz and Sara Steber.
Performances are on Aug. 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30. Tickets can be purchased by going to readingcivic.org. The show is rated R.