Jonathan Frazier
In downtown Camp Hill, an Allstate Insurance agency owned by Heather Ebersole houses an uncharacteristic yet charming surprise on its ground level: an art gallery.
“I like to make the joke that we’re the prettiest Allstate,” said Ebersole, who opened Gallo’ry on Market at the end of March—a mere three weeks after she and her employees moved into the new space, occupying the second floor with offices.
Ebersole and her employees had been working out of a building three blocks down the road for the last 2½ years, but knowing that they were quickly outgrowing it, she was on the lookout for a larger place when the Market Street office became available for rent.
At first glance, Ebersole loved the charm and location, but she was having trouble envisioning what purpose its ground level could serve—who would sit in the formal foyer or the spacious rooms it opened to on either side.
Heather Ebersole
“I woke up the next day, and it just came to me,” Ebersole said. “The space called for art.”
Several phone calls to local artists, some fresh wall paint, and a dozen or so early mornings and late nights later, and the stretch of rooms on the first floor—a blank canvas—became a purposeful patchwork of personality and artistry. Serendipitously, this dual-business idea that Ebersole quickly brought into existence has also seamlessly aligned itself with the Downtown Camp Hill Association’s art-forward aspirations.
“When the Downtown Camp Hill Association was created, it was done with a commitment to build a prosperous and diverse business district that supports a walkable, shoppable neighborhood concept—creating a link between businesses and our local communities,” said Ben Augustino, an association member. “One thing that we focus on is called ‘Plein Air Events’ to incorporate art into downtown Camp Hill. And, with Heather bringing the gallery to downtown Camp Hill, it’s a perfect fit, building upon that concept.”
Ebersole also has received a steady stream of support from clients and community members.
“I love hearing everyone’s little oohs and ahhs, whether they’re coming to drop a payment off for Allstate or they were just eating breakfast at Chef de Crêpe, and they walk across the street and stumbled upon the art gallery, not knowing it was a thing,” Ebersole said. “I can’t help but smile when I see people admiring, appreciating and enjoying art—especially art created by local artists.”
Harrisburg-area visual artist Tami Bitner and Ebersole’s father, Paul Gallo, who is a plein air oil painter, were the Gallo’ry’s opening exhibitors, followed by an assemblage of artists whose works served as a stop on the Plein Air Art Walk in May. With the help of Gallo’s connections to artists across neighboring communities, the Gallo’ry has managed to book a full calendar of art exhibits through the end of 2024.
“I’m so grateful for any artist who is willing to put their artwork in here, because I’m not an established gallery or studio. I’m just a lover of art,” Ebersole said. “But my love for art is deep and full, as I grew up with original artworks of my dad around me, and I never took that for granted—the passion, time and talent that goes into creating a piece of art. As I look around at the art on the walls in the Gallo’ry, I get that same sense of appreciation.”
Gallo’ry is a passion project for Ebersole, but at the core, she says it’s really all about the artists.
“I want to promote the value of the arts in our community and give local artists a space they deserve to display their works—hopefully selling several of their pieces in the process so that they have the funds to continue creating,” she said. “If the Gallo’ry helps spread the love of art, that’s all I can hope for.”
Gallo’ry on Market is located at 2010 Market St., Camp Hill. For more information, visit www.galloryonmarket.com.
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