Artsy “Elf on the Shelf,” aka Joan Maguire of Hershey Art Gallery and Studio
You can tell it’s that special time of year—the elf in the box is busy hatching his plan to hop out and pop up at the least expected hiding spot. That darn rascal…where to perch away from little eyes? It always poses a challenge. My bet is to hide in plain sight, anywhere but the shelf.
The “Art Elves,” a select group, handpicked by the lead elf, aka Joan Maguire of Hershey Art Gallery and Studio, manned the new shop while she vacationed in the islands before the big holiday rush. Truth be told, it was a working holiday as Joan went to paint wistful watercolors of sea creatures, beach life and sandy shores.
Her showcase gallery is a gem for local artists of renown and Joan is as generous as Santa. Sharing the spotlight, she filled the shop with an entire teapot of talent. Starting with guest appearances by Linda Benton McCloskey, painter of textured treasures in acrylics, cold wax and oil, kicked off a series of trunk shows for a post-Thanksgiving event. Linda’s works defy the laws of nature. Her multi-layered appeal of color and oil, rich and regal, her paintings range from winter scenes to far-reaching mountain vistas.
Mary Kandray Gelenser, collage fabricator of textile dreams, traffics in adorably adoptable dogs and cats stuffed for canine/feline fantasy friends, perfect for pillow-placing posthaste or just strewn about on their own. Mary K. also offers a forest of felted trees and handcrafted wool hats. In addition, she creates tantalizing, patchwork, trend-setting cross body bags. Her collage cards of flora and fauna capture the fancy of young and old alike.
Holiday gift table at the Hershey Art Gallery and Studio
Very early December found repurposed objects sculptor, Jason Lyons, showcasing his collection of whimsical tree ornaments fashioned from old spoons, forks and knives. Uniquely individual, they embrace the charm of Old World gifts that get handed down from one generation to the next. His eye-catching array of angels, snowmen, sleds, reindeer and flowers clamor for a special place on any tree. Jason took the reigns of Santa’s sleigh on the first two Saturdays of December at the gallery.
Sundays in December, an artist near and dear to my heart, my wife, Jana, will be holding all-day trunk shows stocked to the rafters with artisanal soaps, culinary salts, sage smudge bundles, handcrafted leaf and flower gift cards and grab-and-go vintage teacups filled with butterscotch candy for those last-minute gifts. The holiday season is full of star-studded appearances by the ever-elusive elves of excellence at the Hershey Art Gallery. The best part is their creative collections remain for sale at the art emporium available for purchase through Christmas Eve. Gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
By chance, if you find any of these elves out and about during the holiday season, do not be tempted to put them back on the shelf. That includes gallery owner Joan Maguire, now back from her sojourn. Just make sure you put them in that special nook away from little eyes—their delight in finding them will be equally special for the artists themselves. Rumor has it an elf is running amok at Millworks and will be through Christmas Eve or until P.D. Murray runs out of his handcrafted clay rascals! One hides in a different spot within the building each day until it is found. Happy Holidays from the elves on and off the shelf!
In His Service
“Upon This Rock” by David Hilsinger
In a profession as old as time, at least in the Biblical sense, carpentry holds a treasured place among many. The hands of a carpenter, once skilled from toil and hard work, turned to wood carving as a true art form. After decades of honing raw wood into individual iconic chisel and awl pieces, artist David Hilsinger has crafted a lasting monument called “Upon This Rock,” hewn out of English walnut from a tree stump that made the journey back to Pennsylvania in the 1970s from California. In a professional career that has spanned nearly six decades, Dave has seen and done it all. From his early days as a “roadie” for the Beach Boys to working with the legendary Phelan brothers, crafting the ornate bars of wood for the Gingerbread Man chain of restaurants in Mechanicsburg and Carlisle, “Hil” put his stamp on many local landmark watering holes and residential custom woodworking projects. The world-traveled craftsman, having been drafted into the Army in 1968, served his tour of duty and then ventured west. Berkley called to his political nature, and he ended up at Merritt College. Like the lifetime education that became a part of his fabric, the stump has been a work in progress over the course of 50 years. As a union carpenter, the projects never stopped long enough to devote the time, energy and thought to completion until the past year. A car accident in 2018 changed Dave’s life forever as he is no longer able to lift anything over 25 pounds. The desire to return to woodcarving ran deep and, by fate’s hand, it was destined to be that way.
David Hilsinger’s studio
Dave dedicated much of 2023 to work on the “Rock,” remembering his childhood as his mother was a devout Catholic and she often quoted the scripture, “Upon this rock I will build my church.” Many religious elements are carved into the rich walnut wood, taking on a life of its own in beauty and meaning. Visitors to his studio from the community are deeply moved in its simple yet powerful message. Many feel it should be in a church or museum for all to see. It is a fitting tribute to his mother and for this season of love and peace. Viewing it up close is spiritually humbling and uplifting as a tree became the focal point of salvation over 2,000 years ago.
Contact the artist, Dave Hilsinger at 717-377-5226.
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