The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

June 5, 2026 | by TheBurg Staff

Amber Barnes speaks at the press conference

It was a busy week in Harrisburg as the city gears up for the summer. If you missed any of the TheBurg’s daily coverage, we’ve wrapped it up neatly for you below:

Art Association of Harrisburg’s long-time President Carrie Wissler-Thomas will retire in September after leading the group to its pivotal position in central Pennsylvania culture.

Bob’s Art Blog celebrates the “merry month of May” and looks ahead to June.

Denim Coffee will open its third downtown Harrisburg location next week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday morning.

CPC Film Series returned to the Capital Blue Cross Theater last Friday with a triple-feature event celebrating the work of Central Penn College alumni.

Gamut Theatre’s “As You Like It” offers a boisterous, touching night of free Shakespeare at Reservoir Park, according to our theatre reviewer.

Harrisburg Area Community College’s board of trustees approved a resolution Tuesday giving the institution permission to sell or lease seven buildings it owns across central PA.

Harrisburg Young Professionals on Thursday announced the return of its Italian Lake Concert series, which brings live music to the park each month this season.

LGBT Center of Central PA received a recognition from Dauphin County officials Monday, who celebrated the start of Pride Month.

Market Square Concerts has announced it will present its Summermusic series with a special emphasis on American musical contributions for the country’s 250th birthday throughout July.

Our publisher Lawrance Binda recounts how TheBurg plays a role in building community in his June publisher’s note, inspired by a speaking engagement with Strong Towns Harrisburg.

Pennsylvania Downtown Center, in partnership with the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC), announced they will be hosting several public workshops in June after releasing the results of a downtown Harrisburg perception survey.

“River City Stories” is returning to the Harrisburg Fringe Festival this July with a fresh lineup of original films inspired by life in the city.

Sara Bozich has compiled the best events of the weekend in her Weekend Roundup, including SoMa PinFest. Check out the full list.

SoMa PinFest is returning to downtown this Saturday, mixing old-school games with a summer block party.

Source the Space, a creative studio in New Cumberland, is combining forces with Thoughtfully Sustainable, an online STEM and sustainability education platform for a sustainability-themed kids summer camp.

TFEC is now accepting applications for Community Impact Grants, which are put toward projects impact communities for the better.

“Unapologetically Us,” an LGBTQ+ art exhibition in Harrisburg, is bringing together 40 pieces from 12 artists for Pride Month.

Visit Hershey & Harrisburg unveiled new materials to spotlight the Harrisburg Arts District Thursday, including an updated print map with new destinations and a fresh audio walking tour.

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With the help of a federal grant, Harrisburg is conducting a city-wide tree inventory

June 5, 2026 | by Alexandra Jones

Trees along the Susquehanna riverfront

Harrisburg began its first city-wide tree inventory in at least a decade this week.

An urban forestry management company with certified arborists is conducting a census of trees across the city over the next month or so, according to Harrisburg forester Cody Legge.

After the inventory is complete, the city will identify where tree maintenance—including removing, pruning or planting— must be completed.

“They’ll do all the streets first, and then double back to do our parks,” said Legge, noting the contractors will work their way across the city at their discretion.

The work is funded through a $2 million federal “TreeVestment” grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The grant is designed to bolster urban tree canopies.

The vast majority of the money has been set aside for tree work, said Legge, which, between maintenance, removal and plantings, can be costly to perform.

Legge said he expects that the vast majority of city trees may need to be pruned, either to remove routine deadwood or to resolve clearance issues. This would include city trees between sidewalks and curbs that are technically in the public “right of way.”

“There’s quite a bit of conflicting issues with tree limbs being just a little too low on the streets or the sidewalks,” Legge said.

He added that a handful of “risky” trees may need to be removed, but the grant dictates that anywhere the city removes a tree, a new tree must be planted in its place. He has also advised the contractor to take note of stumps or divots in the ground where the city could replant a tree where one clearly was in the past.

Legge estimated that the last tree inventory for Harrisburg was conducted around 2016.

This one will be a little different in that previous tree inventories were conducted by volunteers, he said, while this one uses certified arborists. This inventory is also unique in that it will also include trees in city parks while past inventories did not.

A smaller portion of funds from the TreeVestment grant will go toward community outreach efforts, Legge said, such as engaging with kids at the Harrisburg School District through the science-based tree planting program, “Roots to Rivers.”

Overall, Legge said he is excited about having an updated tree database to work from and to potentially add more trees to the city’s canopy.

“It just makes a city more livable,” he said. “Far too often you go down a street and there isn’t any greenery. It is fairly bleak and hot, and not awfully pleasant. If there are trees to provide shade and greenery, it’s a mood booster.”

TreeVestment was funded by the federal Inflation Reduction Act.

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Why Low-Commitment Digital Spending Appeals to Consumers in a Tighter Economy

June 5, 2026 | by Admin

As household budgets come under more pressure in Harrisburg and beyond, consumers are becoming more selective about how they spend their disposable income.

There has been an online reaction to this trend, as digital services have moved in the opposite direction. This is in order to become more appealing — to stay relevant to consumers. Now they are offering smaller or more affordable payment options for entertainment and online tools.

This combination of tighter budgets and shrinking one-time payments has caused digital spending to remain relevant. However, consumers must still pay attention to how much they spend online. In this article, we’ll examine the trend and explore how users can remain in control.

What Low-Commitment Spending Looks Like in Practice

Low-commitment spending can refer to a broad range of payments, especially depending on the income group. However, to provide a broad definition, low-commitment spending usually refers to small payments (e.g., $5 to $15 at a time). These payments are optional, and in this article, we are focusing on online ones.

These digital spends might include one-off content unlocks, app upgrades, game credits, or affordable e-commerce purchases, or short-term access passes. As you can see, many of them revolve around the gaming or entertainment sectors.

What separates these mini payments from older and larger models is that they aim to engage users without requiring them to make a big payment that they stop and think about. This might sound slightly predatory, but it remains true. Developers and business owners strive to make the payment process simple and attractive so that users confirm the deal without too much stress.

Isobel Coughlan, Online Casino Expert at Mr. Gamble explained that “No matter whether the potential payment is $2 or $30, it’s always advised that you stop and cross check the spend against your budget. These apps make it easy to pay without thinking. This is easy and seamless, that’s true. But always put your financial well-being first.”

How Economic Pressure Is Changing Spending Habits

The economy is tighter than ever before, and this fact remains true around the world. One trend that financial analysts are spotting is that consumers are prioritizing flexibility — and this is a trend directly caused by the cost-of-living crisis.

For instance, rather than committing to multiple subscriptions for different games or streaming services, many prefer to pay only when they actively use a service. This could be renting a $3 movie rather than paying monthly for Amazon Prime if you know that you do not have time to tune in every day.

Flexible spending, as evident above, reduces perceived waste and gives consumers a sense of control over monthly outgoings. And control is always a driving factor when it comes to topics of economics!

This mindset is seen outside of film and TV services. In gaming and iGaming, free trial games and trusted small deposit casino sites are more popular than expensive one-time purchase options.

When Flexibility Starts to Replace Ownership

Some argue that this flexible mindset is not a good thing because it leads to a drop in ownership. In response, some consumers are starting to hoard CDs and physical media while rejecting giants like Spotify. They do not want to pay for temporary use. But it must be noted that this is still a small subset of users.

For many, short-term access is often enough to meet their needs. This goes across entertainment, gaming, music, and even some productivity tools used within the workplace.

The Psychology Behind “Small Wins” in Spending

As we have explored before, low-cost digital purchases often feel less risky, and therefore, consumers feel more in control when hitting the buy button. And this is true even when they are repeated frequently.

Hesitation is reduced, and consumers are happier because they have got a ‘great deal.’ Sadly, this is not always the case. It’s more of a psychological fallacy.

Over time, this psychology and mindset can create a negative spending pattern where payments are based on small decisions without any thought, rather than sensible spending that references budget and affordability.

This creates a quasi-trade-off.

Low-commitment and cheap spending feel manageable. Perhaps it is manageable for some time. But then it becomes harder to track and stay on top of. Suddenly, you have spent multiple lots of $10 every week and have a surprise $300 bill that you don’t remember racking up.

Mindfulness and vigilance are critical here. You must make sure to check your budget before making all of the little purchases. It can help to set a dedicated entertainment budget to really stay in control.

The Outlook

Economic pressure is set to unfortunately continue, and so consumers must plan accordingly. With this pressure, we are likely to see more low-commitment payment models, and these will grow online and in-person. In response to this, we urge consumers to become extra mindful, and for business owners to be as transparent and honest as possible about value and payment plans.

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Burg Review: Gamut’s “As You Like It” offers a boisterous, touching night of free Shakespeare at Reservoir Park

June 5, 2026 | by M. Diane McCormick

Image courtesy of Gamut Theatre

Come hither, ye Shakespeare-curious, and get theself yonder to a place called Reservoir Park, where tyrants rant, siblings squabble and lovers cavort.

Okay, no more faux Shakespeare.

But forsooth, even if you know little about William Shakespeare himself, you owe yourself a summer night under the stars for “As You Like It,” the delightful 2026 “Free Shakespeare in the Park” performance by Gamut Theatre Group.

Gamut has assembled a strong and talented cast for one of Shakespeare’s more heartfelt plays. The usual fare of mistaken identity and gender-bending disguise blends seamlessly with genuine emotion, complex relationships and honest comedy.

The play begins with audience interaction, when a balladeer and cast members stroll from the Reservoir Park bandshell’s grassy slope onto the stage, leading a revolution (apparently unsuccessful) against the tyrannical regime.

We’re in a post-apocalyptic city.

In the shadow of a golden, copper-rimmed dome, the ragged have-nots suffer, and the elegant haves have. Graffiti that mars the walls attests to opposing sides of a brotherly power struggle: “Long Live Duke Fred” and “Free Senior.”

Duke Frederick is played by Gamut veteran Preston Schreffler with snarling menace.

Frederick’s wronged brother, Duke Senior, exiled into Arden Forest, is also played by Schreffler as a kind, compassionate leader exhorting his band of loyal lords to enjoy the beauty of nature and make room for two hungry wayfarers.

Then, the plot thickens.

Good ol’ Fred has not only banished his brother to the wilderness—he boots his own niece, Rosalind (under the threat of death, mind you) just for her association with her father. (Boo, hiss.)

But Rosalind and her devoted cousin, Celia, turn oppression into empowerment.

They flee to Arden, with Rosalind disguised as a man and Celia playing the man’s peasant sister.

Eleanor Mund plays the brave, quick-witted Rosalind with bottomless spunk while offering glimpses into the peril of her balancing act between her male persona and female self.

Also in Arden, we find the noble Orlando, our handsome hero. He’s escaping from a sister who has withheld his inheritance, arranged his (failed) assassination in a wrestling match and threatened to burn down his house around him. (Boo, hiss.)

From here, let’s just say that people cross paths and complications ensue.

The production’s designers—Calian Byard, scenic; Tristan Stasiulis, lighting; Noah Smull, sound; Victoria Wojciechowski, costumes; Becky Arney, props—then guide the action seamlessly from the city to rural Appalachia.

Foresters and hikers in brown and olive green greet the visitors. Farmers in overalls live off the land and guide tenderfoots through the woods. Our characters have the space for self-reflection, and in upheaval, find themselves changing in unexpected ways.

The fleeing cousins’ “motley fool” is the character Touchstone, who evolves from urbane and vain to downright feral while chasing his true love, the shepherdess Audrey.

With their saucy interplay, Touchstone, played by Alex Winnick, and Audrey, played by Hope Mackenzie, turn the act of collecting campground trash into a flirtatious romp.

But my personal favorite pairing of the night belonged to Silvius, played by Eliezer Garcia Montoya, and Phebe, played by Aréanna Hope Kroll.

Silvius, besotted for Phebe, has a gullible, nonchalant aura that dovetails with the sharp-edged Phebe. We all know those couples, and even though we wonder, ‘What gives?’, Shakespeare and this production confirm that, when love enters the picture, this combination just works.

Directors Kim Greenawalt and Emily MacLeod keep the pace brisk, efficiently using the scenery and outdoor setting to move the action along uninterrupted.

Sound designer Smull composed tunes for Shakespeare’s lyrics, while other songs were written by cast members Winnick, Mackenzie and Diego Esmolo, ably playing the balladeer Amiens. The tunes are melodic and suited to the moment, from folk-song protest to a “Hey Nonny” so jaunty you’re singing along by the second chorus.

As Orlando, Brendan Wolf is endearingly earnest but determined to overcome the misfortune thrown his way and the shyness that keeps him from professing his love for Rosalind (remember, he thinks she’s a man named Ganymede).

Victoria DeBernardis plays Celia, Rosalind’s cousin, with full Kardashian flair—a privileged A-lister who defies her despotic father and flees into exile with her beloved cousin.

DeBernardis’ drama-llama death throes when she’s starving, absolutely starving, are a hoot, and when love appears, she falls so hard that you can almost see the haze as everything else fades into the background.

A tip for playgoers: Before the show, brush up on the short scene synopses in Gamut’s online program. The plot can get convoluted, and some of the Shakespearean language strays beyond our ken, but knowing what’s happening lets us concentrate on the touching moments, the funny lines, and the expert jostling of a finely tuned cast.

That’s why we ache when the smitten Rosalind, giving Orlando a necklace after his successful wrestling match, confesses, “Sir, you have wrestled well and overthrown more than your enemies.”

The speechless Orlando can only stand mystified that he could wrestle a murderous brute to defeat while wondering “what passion hangs these weights upon my tongue?”

Have no fear about our many lovebirds. “As You Like It” is a boisterous and touching entry in Gamut’s long-running Free Shakespeare in the Park series, an idyllic forest reverie where all’s well that ends well.

For more information on “As You Like It” by the Gamut Theatre Group, visit their site. Performances run June 5 to June 20. Admission is free. Donations are accepted.

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Results of survey show support for downtown revitalization; community workshops announced

June 5, 2026 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg. Photo by Michael Yatsko

The results of a recent survey show that community members are ready and excited for a downtown Harrisburg renaissance, officials say.

The Pennsylvania Downtown Center, in partnership with the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC), announced the results of a survey that garnered thousands of responses and showed support for revitalizing downtown.

“What came back was both encouraging and clear-eyed: strong pride in the city’s architecture, riverfront and cultural assets, alongside real frustrations around parking, everyday retail, safety and business climate,” according to the Revitalize Downtown Harrisburg website.

Building on the interest shown by the survey response, CREDC and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center will host a series of workshops later this month to share further ideas for downtown.

According to survey responses from over 4,000 people, five strong themes emerged, which will be explored in the workshops.

One of the top findings of the survey was that people are interested in making downtown a place for everyday life, with a grocery store, pharmacy, and places to meet basic needs.

Other themes included overcoming the barrier of parking downtown, improving perceptions of safety and cleanliness, supporting business development, and creating energy through more housing, events and activities.

About half of the respondents were city residents, 45% worked downtown and 43% said they support downtown restaurants on a weekly or monthly basis. Additionally, 20% said they wanted to be involved in the downtown revitalization project.

Upcoming June workshops will give people the chance to have their voices heard again. Topics will include quality of life, public spaces and economic vitality.

“These workshops are essential to gaining valuable input from across a broad spectrum of our community, including those who live, work and visit downtown Harrisburg,” said Ryan Unger, president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC. “With the help of our partners and with the passionate ideas of community members and key stakeholders, we can truly breathe new life into downtown Harrisburg.”

The workshop series will take place on the following dates:

Quality of Life Workshops:
The focus of these sessions will be on how Harrisburg can be a more desirable place to live for everyone – from young professionals to families to retirees.

June 18 – 1 to 3 p.m., Harrisburg High School—John Harris Campus, 2451 Market St.
June 18 – 6 to 8 p.m., Harrisburg High School—John Harris Campus, 2451 Market St.

Public Spaces Workshops:
The focus of these sessions will be on creating more vibrant and welcoming gathering spaces downtown for people of all ages and abilities.

June 23 – 1 to 3 p.m., Camp Curtin Academy, 2900 N. 6^th St.
June 23 – 6 to 8 p.m., Camp Curtin Academy, 2900 N. 6^th St.

Economic Vitality Workshops:
The focus of these sessions will be on how Harrisburg can be a leading economic engine, supporting thriving businesses both today and into the future.

June 25 – 1 to 3 p.m., Harrisburg High School—SciTech Campus, 215 Market St.
June 25 – 6 to 8 p.m., Harrisburg High School—SciTech Campus, 215 Market St.

Workshops are free and open to all.

For more information, visit the “Revitalize Downtown Harrisburg” website.

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Looking for Affordable Pet Insurance Coverage Options? These Are the 4 Top Providers in Central PA

June 5, 2026 | by Admin

Keeping your pets healthy requires significant investments, from routine checkups to emergency care. Pet insurance provides a safety net by helping alleviate the financial burden of veterinary care, allowing you to make decisions based on health instead of cost.

If you are looking for a high-quality plan that will not break the bank, here is a look at the most affordable pet insurance coverage options in Central PA.

1. AAA Central Penn

AAA Central Penn offers personalized insurance policies designed to provide you with the peace of mind you need when it comes to your pet’s health. With budget-friendly deductibles and co-pays, it eliminates the worry of unexpected vet bills and allows you to focus on your dog or cat’s well-being.

Key Features

Flexible coverage options: Choose from plans that offer reimbursement levels of 70%, 80% and 90%, with deductibles ranging from $100 to $300.
Easy claim process: Get reimbursement within three to five business days through AAA Central Penn’s online portal.
Nationwide acceptance: With this provider, your pet can be covered at any licensed veterinarian across the United States.

2. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

As a proud partner of the ASPCA^® since 2006, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance understands that your pets are family. Its comprehensive plans include features like a 30-day money-back guarantee and the flexibility to manage your account online 24/7. You can also take your pet to any licensed veterinarian in America or Canada.

Key Features

Customizable coverage options: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance provides various plans, including ones that protect against accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions and other health concerns.
Multi-pet discounts: If you have more than one pet, you can enjoy a 10% discount for each additional canine or feline companion you insure.
Inclusive benefits for comprehensive care: Coverage includes alternative therapies like acupuncture and chiropractic care.

3. Pets Best

Pets Best has pet insurance plans that protect both dogs and cats. It offers customizable coverage options to fit various health needs and budgets, helping you reduce your vet bills without breaking the bank on insurance.

Key Features

Comprehensive accident and illness coverage: It offers plans designed to cover up to 90% of eligible vet bills, including treatments for accidents, illnesses, emergency care, surgeries and prescriptions.
Easy claims process: Manage your claims anywhere through the Pets Best mobile app.
Routine care coverage available: You can opt for routine care coverage to help manage the costs of regular vet visits, vaccinations and dental cleanings.

4. Lemonade

Designed for dogs and cats of all breeds and ages, Lemonade provides customizable insurance plans that cover everything from routine wellness visits to emergency care. With its commitment to affordability and quick claims processing, you can confidently focus on your pet’s health without the financial worries.

Key Features

Comprehensive base policy: It covers various veterinary expenses, including diagnostics, surgeries and treatments for chronic conditions.
Flexible preventive care options: Add-on preventive coverage allows you to include routine expenses like vaccinations, dental cleanings and wellness exams in your plan.
User-friendly mobile app: The Lemonade app lets you manage your pet’s records and track claim status.

The Most Affordable Pet Insurance Coverage Options in Central PA at a Glance

Here are the key features of the best pet insurance coverage options in Central PA for quick comparisons.

Provider	Coverage Types	Unique Features
AAA Central Penn	Accidents, illnesses, injuries, prescriptions, holistic and alternative care	Personalized service and dedicated agents
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance	Accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, chronic conditions, behavioral issues, additional care, prescriptions	10% multi-pet discount
Pets Best	Accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, ongoing and chronic conditions, diagnostics, prescriptions	Claims process via mobile app
Lemonade	Accidents, illnesses, preventive care options, diagnostics, prescriptions	Claims processing with an app and 24/7 vet support

Methodology for Assessing the Most Affordable Pet Insurance Providers

These pet insurance companies are among the best in Central PA because they meet the following criteria:

Coverage types: They offer comprehensive policy inclusions and a range of coverage options to meet various pet health needs.
Plan flexibility: They have customization options to fit specific budgetary concerns and pet health needs.
Reimbursement rates: Their rates allow flexibility in varying reimbursement levels, helping pet owners manage out-of-pocket expenses.
Monthly premiums: They provide competitive monthly premiums based on the location, breed and age of the dog or cat.
Customer service and claims experience: They are known for transparent communication and streamlined online claims processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to common questions about pet insurance.

Q: What does pet insurance generally cover?

A: Most pet insurance plans cover costs associated with accidental injuries and illnesses. They cover various treatments and procedures, such as:

Emergency care: Coverage for hospitalizations and surgeries following accidents
Chronic illnesses: Conditions that require ongoing treatment, such as diabetes or cancer
Diagnostic exams: Blood tests, labwork, x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans and similar procedures
Routine care: Vaccinations, tick and flea prevention and teeth cleaning

Q: How do you choose the right pet insurance for your needs?

A: Consider your pet’s age, breed and any preexisting conditions, as some plans may exclude specific offerings based on these factors. Then, compare plans and costs. Assess monthly premiums, coverage details, deductibles and reimbursement rates among different providers. Entities that offer customizable plans may be ideal, depending on your canine or feline’s needs.

Q: What if you have more than one pet?

A: Many providers offer family plans that cover multiple pets under one policy with a shared deductible. The group coverage makes it easier to manage costs and can even lead to discounts in some of the most affordable pet insurance coverage options in Central PA.

Invest in Your Pet’s Well-being

Your furry companion’s health relies on the decisions you make today. Enrolling in an affordable pet insurance plan gives you regular access to healthcare facilities and timely treatments for injuries and illnesses.

It will also reduce the potential financial hardships from unforeseen veterinary costs. Ensure your pet is covered to pave the way to a longer and healthier life.

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Long-time Art Association of Harrisburg leader to retire; board names local gallery owner as new president

June 4, 2026 | by M. Diane McCormick

Carrie Wissler-Thomas

The Art Association of Harrisburg enters its second century with the retirement in September of long-time President Carrie Wissler-Thomas, who has led the group to its pivotal position in central Pennsylvania culture.

Tapping into the synchronicity of the local arts scene, the AAH board selected New Cumberland gallery owner Debbie Smith for the part-time public-facing and administrative role of executive director and president.

The transition will strengthen connections that revitalize the city and region while continuing to educate and cultivate local visual artists, say association leaders.

Wissler-Thomas, originally an AAH board member installed as president in 1986, will retire at the conclusion of AAH’s 38^th annual Gallery Walk on Sept. 13. Her shoes will be filled by a collective of Smith, owner of The Smith Gallery & Fine Custom Framing, plus a full-time exhibitions and education director position expected to be filled this summer, and past board President Travis DiNicola as the senior adviser supporting fundraising.

Wissler-Thomas and the AAH board planned her retirement to coincide with the 2026 centennial celebration of AAH, formed in 1926 to attract high-level exhibits to Harrisburg then evolving into a platform for supporting and educating local visual artists.

In her tenure as president, Wissler-Thomas has created the annual Gallery Walk, community exhibitions in local businesses and institutions, and eclectic invitational and themed exhibitions. She has led growth of AAH art education while preserving the association’s home, the brownstone Findlay Mansion in downtown Harrisburg’s historic Governor’s Row.

“I have great hopes for the future and great confidence in the new team,” Wissler-Thomas told TheBurg.

Debbie Smith

Upholding Wissler-Thomas’ work to forge collaborations with symbiotic organizations, including Historic Harrisburg Association and theater groups, Smith envisions heightened emphasis on arts collaborations. This year, she helped organize the criss-crossing involvement between the AAH and Theatre Harrisburg centennial galas, and she hopes to continue leveraging the synchronous assets of arts groups and businesses.

“There are so many different arts organizations,” Smith said. “I’m going to get everybody together so we can grow the community.”

With support from her own staff, Smith will maintain her gallery, which has grown into a premier showcase for regional artists.

Smith believes her background in theater and her experience in growing a business through recessions and COVID translate into a vision of the Art Association’s continuation as a cultural hub.

“I’ve always wanted to connect people,” she said. “Collaboration is the key. My business and the Art Association—we have the same artists. Art raises us. It lifts us. It connects us, and it bridges any gap that we have.”

And, she added, “I promote living, breathing, creating artists, which is what the Art Association does.”

Smith is “a wonderful person and a dear friend, and I admire her greatly,” said Wissler-Thomas. “She’s a great businesswoman. She’s excited about the job, and excitement and passion are what is needed in a job like this.”

Sustaining and building partnerships “is crucial,” Wissler-Thomas added. “We don’t need another cultural enrichment fund. We don’t need an umbrella organization. What we need is great communication and partnerships with the individual organizations. We have so many wonderful nonprofit cultural organizations in the area, and it’s great when we can work together.”

The shared leadership structure, aligning with a nonprofit trend for marshaling resources, presents “a creative and thoughtful and really interesting solution to how you replace Carrie, which is a big question,” said DiNicola.

“Carrie has built a great foundation,” he said. “She led what was a small, little organization into something quite significant over the past 50 years that she’s been involved. She really grew it and stabilized it. Now we have an opportunity to take it into the next century.”

AAH’s power to convene players in the arts, business and academics makes the association “even more important to the revitalization of downtown Harrisburg,” DiNicola added.

Smith agreed that AAH can help “get all these different organizations together to revitalize, to bring some energy back into the city. It needs it, and energy is my thing. It becomes contagious. Once you have an energy and you have that murmuring, it moves through the community when it becomes that kind of buzz.”

Of course, Wissler-Thomas reminded Smith that “sometimes we get to be the janitor,” a role that Smith knows well, but she is excited about the future.

“It’s moving the Art Association into the next 100 years so we are uplifting the amazing art and artists we have in this area,” Smith said.

In retirement, Wissler-Thomas expects to “be an artist again,” while she and her husband travel to their beloved Scotland and around the globe. The AAH board has “kindly offered” the opportunity to coordinate future Gallery Walks, “a huge, huge collaborative effort.”

“That’ll be my pleasure, since I founded it,” she said.

Wissler-Thomas hopes that AAH keeps recruiting teachers fueled by commitment and passion to sustain its art education program, now serving 600 students.

“People love what we provide,” she said. “We have a small staff, but we provide a lot of services for the community, and we’re proud of it. That’s what I hope will continue well into the future, with additions as opportunities arise. We’re always open to new opportunities.”

Art Association of Harrisburg is located at 21 N. Front St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.artassocofhbg.com. A Wissler-Thomas retrospective, “A Lyrical Journey,” runs July 3 to Aug. 30. Smith will host the first of AAH’s summer soirees, July 11.

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Harrisburg Arts District adds new map destinations ahead of summer

June 4, 2026 | by Alexandra Jones

Newly updated Harrisburg Arts District map

Visit Hershey & Harrisburg unveiled new materials to spotlight the Harrisburg Arts District Thursday, including an updated print map with new destinations and a fresh audio walking tour.

The Harrisburg Arts District runs from Midtown Harrisburg to South of Market (SoMa), shining light on the city’s museums, theater and live music venues, and murals and monuments.

Newly added stops to the print map include monuments along the Susquehanna Riverfront, recently opened venues like the Capital City Music Hall and Coronet Park.

On the free mobile app “Harrisburg Arts District,” Visit Hershey Harrisburg’s President and CEO Sharon Myers said the organization has added the new audio tour to highlight more monuments and gardens on the riverfront.

“The audio tours help to deliver that experience by offering more background—not just about the monuments and gardens—but about the sculptors and the artists and the monuments and how they helped to build this city,” Myers said.

Sharon Myers, president and CEO of Visit Hershey Harrisburg

The Harrisburg Arts District is made up of more than 50 murals and monuments and more than 20 theaters, performance venues, museums, and art galleries, and a full calendar of events.

The goal of the district, designed to encourage visitors to walk between city arts venues, is to help tourists build itineraries full of arts and culture for their days in Harrisburg. This may spur visits elsewhere as well, helping Harrisburg’s economy as a whole.

“Chances are they will want to enjoy dinner or local shops, and many of the things that they didn’t even know existed,” said Myers.

The Harrisburg Arts District began in 2024 with a mobile app.

The announcement Thursday was supported by representatives from the Art Association Harrisburg, the PA Council on the Arts, Dauphin County, Harrisburg, and the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC.

Newly updated Harrisburg Arts District map

For more information visit Visit Hershey Harrisburg’s website.

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Summer concerts return to Market Square, with special focus for America 250

June 4, 2026 | by Maddie Gittens

(From left) Kevin Gabo (Photo by Cicely Procopio of Procopio Photography), Stuart Malina (Photo by Lisa Keegan), Curtis Bannister (Photo by Kevin Hartmann)

As summer heats up, musicians are tuning up for special performances.

Throughout July, Market Square Concerts will present its Summermusic series with a special emphasis on American musical contributions for the country’s 250^th birthday.

First up, on Sunday, July 12 at 4 p.m., Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra’s principal trumpet, Kevin Gebo, with friends, will present a program of chamber music for brass quintet, ranging from Handel to John Williams.

Days later, Arthur Foote’s grand piano quintet will play with Dvořák’s “American” String Quintet, featuring Stuart Malina at the piano, violinists Peter Sirotin and Claudia Chudacoff, violists Elias Goldstein and Hannah Rose Nicholas, as well as cellist Juian Schwarz, on July 15 at 7:30 p.m.

On Sunday, July 19, the festival will present an evening of song, starting at 4 p.m., featuring award-winning tenor Curtis Bannister with pianist Mark Markham in a program exploring the Swedish cultural concept Jantelagen, which symbolizes collective unity and humility over praise of the individual.

All concerts will take place at Market Square Presbyterian Church, 20 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg.

Parking in the garage adjacent to the church is free, validated with a license plate number by a staff member. Tickets are $35, $30 for seniors, $5 for college students and free for school-age students with a $10 ticket available for one accompanying adult.

For tickets and more information, visit marketsquareconcerts.org/summermusic2026.

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Italian Lake concerts to return to Harrisburg for the summer

June 4, 2026 | by Maddie Gittens

A past Italian Lake concert. Photo courtesy of Harrisburg Young Professionals.

Summer evenings will soon be filled with music.

Harrisburg Young Professionals on Thursday announced the return of their Italian Lake Concert series, which brings live music to the park each month this season.

The free, family-friendly shows will take place on June 7, July 26 and Aug. 9 at the stage at Italian Lake. Each show begins at 6 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks.

First up, Natalie Ness will perform in June, bringing her soulful, indie-pop flair. In July, The After Hours will perform a high-energy, pop-rock show. August brings Crossing Abbey Road, a Beatles tribute band.

According to HYP, the concert series is designed to bring the community together and create a fun, welcoming atmosphere.

For more information about the Italian Lake Concert Series or other HYP events, visit their website.

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