Jonathan Frazier
The annual art rite of passage that heralds the start of the fall season, Gallery Walk, rolls out its 36th edition on Sept. 8.
There may be no better person qualified to lend an artist’s eye to this grand event than Jonathan Frazier of the Art Association of Harrisburg. As one of the Seven Lively Artists in the region, Jonathan is truly a renaissance man. “Artist” is at the top of the list, along with musician and intrepid traveler, someone as comfortable in New Orleans as his own beloved Harrisburg.
Jonathan’s IG handle is “@landscape.painter,” an appropriate appellation wherever his canvas and brush find him. From painting surreal shotgun shacks found in the Big Easy to serene “snapshots” of life on the Susquehanna, Jonathan captures it all. His specialty is “en plein air” (painting in the open air). As a group, the Lively Artists are now comprised of 11 painters who create, travel and exhibit together as often as possible.
Jonathan recently shared “that if weather conditions are fortuitous,” you won’t want to miss the tour of Harrisburg murals, offered by Sprocket Mural Works. Sprocket was honored earlier this year for their 100-plus works throughout south/central PA, receiving Theatre Harrisburg’s award for “Distinguished Service to the Arts in the Capital Region.” The mural tours last about an hour and are one mile long, offering an insider’s look at the many murals donning walls in Midtown and downtown Harrisburg. Tours will depart from the Capitol building on the hour from noon to 3 p.m.
Harrisburg independent art galleries total three. Ted Walke is the “grand-pere” of the downtown scene at his 1839 Federal-style row house, Gallery @ (608) 2nd. With two floors of lowbrow, surreal, pop and fantasy art, the gallery features Ted’s signature style, along with other local surrealist artists. Say hello to “Munky Bear” when there, and thanks to Ted and Linda for the Gallery Walk brochure.
Midtown finds the grand dame, Vivi of Vivi on Verbeke, and partner, Jackson Boyd, securely ensconced at 258 Verbeke St. This Haight-Ashbury outpost makes a charming place to drop in. Paintings, photography, pottery, pouchettes, pendants and any other “P’s you can mind” … all add up to a potent portrait of peaceful pieces. Vivi is most excited about having prints for sale of her local landmark paintings. Jackson’s photography is stellar and often mirrors the same locales but from a different lens, literally.
Meanwhile at 1006 N. 3rd Street, Julia Mallory is the new kid at her address, the eponymous, Ten Oh! Six Gallery. Throwing “her hat into the ring” for its initial foray, or should it be taking the easel into the street (that sounds a bit dangerous), this gallery is just up the block from TheBurg office. Julia, artist/author/aerialist, takes her art to a highwire act of activism and advocacy for all. The author has penned a series of books, “Black Mermaids,” expanding conventional ideas from another perspective.
Contrena Baltimore, Civic Club president, and Reina Wooden, art maven, will be on hand to welcome visitors to the Overlook Mansion for a day of art from the “Magnificent Seven,” plus one, Ms. Wooden herself. The art posse is comprised of Bryan “King Prolifik” Hickman, Elliot Arylide, Carrie Feidt, LensWorthy Imagery, Mixtic, Toro Comics and Iquan Summers. Reina reported, “I invited artists of different ethnic backgrounds to showcase the art they love to create. Every piece tells a story of that person’s lineage and experiences. The Civic Club welcomes all to be part of its cultural heritage during Gallery Walk 2024.”
Millworks art studios will be open for brunch for the Gallery Walk tour. The bonus during this special event is that the majority of the 35 or so in-residence creatives will be present with works available for purchase. The gift shop is open and stocked with items from floor to ceiling. Midtown Scholar (& Georges) will showcase Robinson’s Fine Art and Prints. Enjoy a wide range of read-ables, collectibles and drinkables.
Houses of worship are built on art as their main foundation. Sacred spaces are meant to beautify the world with their stained-glass windows. Salem United Church of Christ highlights the stained-glass art of Diane Hoffer, while Zion Lutheran Church showcases Diane Foster’s paintings. St. Michael’s Lutheran features York artist Jeannine Dabb’s expressionist paintings. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Riverfront Gallery breaks from the pack with its groundbreaking exhibit, “Feminine Divine,” offering open-ended interpretations of God “as an entity that transcends gender.”
Both Harrisburg museums offer unique takes as the State Museum of Pennsylvania unveils its annual “Art of the State” with free admission. Up 3rd Street, the Susquehanna Art Museum showcases the solo show from Elaine Elledge, “Margins and the Height of the Sun,” on view in the main lobby. It is a wonder to behold and learn of the personal meaning behind her impactful imagery on the impermanence of beauty.
New to Gallery Walk this go-around, the LGBT Center can be found at 1323 N. Front St. Amber Roadcap is the contact there for the event. She shared that artist Craig Bomberger’s work will be featured. In checking with the Historic Harrisburg Association, it appears that the ever-ready Mr. Bomberger will be doing an in-person painting demonstration. So, to avoid any confusion, please check “Craig’s List” first. The Historic Harrisburg Resource Center is full of archival treasures, vintage photos and ephemera from the bygone years of our city. Art Association members Thom Kulp, Tom Banks and Ron Steficek all lend their artwork to the institution’s walls.
It’s also time to visit the McCormick Riverfront Library, a repository of reads, records and rarities. The “R” that starts “refreshment” can be found at the library’s newly opened Wildflower Coffee. Next, head over to the Historical Society of Dauphin County on S. Front Street for county artifacts, architecture and art. History provides the perfect segue to education, and Jonathan referenced a piece of his own personal history with Capital Area School for the Arts predecessor, Harrisburg Arts Magnet School, where he spent a large portion of his senior year back in 1989. Now located in Strawberry Square, CASA will highlight mixed-media student art, one of the six disciplines offered through its vigorous, full-day program of study.
All this talk about “AI” … in Harrisburg it refers to “Art Impresario,” Carrie Wissler-Thomas, CEO of the Art Association of Harrisburg for 46 years. Carrie is the main catalyst behind this annual event. She and the association’s director of exhibitions, Nate Foster, have cooked up a special “members only” show titled “Heroes and Heroines.” There are no rules attached to the criteria, so the entries may be surprising. Imaginary or real, historical or present day, the possibilities are endless.
Louisiana transplant, artist Kathleen Joffrion, took a page from the headlines over five decades ago. Her stunning painting, photographic in nature, is of oarsman Tom McClean, who set the record for rowing 2,300 miles in 70 days across the Atlantic. He accomplished this at the age of 26 only to smash that record at the age of 44, which still stands today. At 82 years of age, Mr. McClean, who resides in Scotland, will visit the historic AAH in person the day after Gallery Walk. Another hero for our times is woodcarver extraordinaire and ex-infantryman Dave Hilsinger, who offers a tribute to the vets of the Vietnam conflict titled “War Dogs,” carved of Pennsylvania walnut.
There you have it, up to the minute, down to the wire. The countdown is on for Gallery Walk #36. Thanks to Jonathan Frazier for his anecdotal thoughts as well as his landscape paintings of central Pennsylvania. Lastly, a heartfelt appreciation for Carrie Wissler-Thomas of the Art Association of Harrisburg, a living legend.
Gallery Walk takes place on Sept. 8, noon to 5 p.m., at locations throughout Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.artassocofhbg.com.
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