Brilliant colors paint the trees. Crisp mornings and nights herald the most beautiful month of the year. October also dials up a plethora of Pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Mark this Saturday, Oct. 18, to join The March on City Island and then afterwards head to Lancaster for their citywide Fall Art Walk taking place all weekend. Halloween and Hive in York go hand in hand. Venture to 126 E. King St. and get Spooky. But before any of those take place this Friday night head to the AAH for an early Halloween costume party for 3rd in the Burg from 6 to 9 p.m., as well a celebration of LatinX heritage at the Civic Club of Harrisburg. And November holds a surprise all its own!
The Cause: The Power of “Petite in Pink”
When the fountain runs pink at the state Capitol it can only mean one thing…it’s October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month has begun. The entire month is dedicated to championing a cause that for countless lives it has touched, is fought each day. It seems everyone knows a wife, mother, daughter or sister that has been diagnosed. And the same goes for the lives of husbands, fathers and brothers whose loved ones affected.
This month’s blog is dedicated to our dear neighbors and friends, Darlene and Ken Richter. Within the space of 30 days, eight years ago, their lives were dramatically changed. From diagnosis to treatment to cure, a miracle was wrought. That celebration continues every day. Darlene’s daughter, Emily, leads the brigade in support of her mother and the intrepid warriors, walkers, and runners as part of the Petite in Pink team. Their group is one of over 200 teams that fall under the auspices of “Making Strides of South-Central PA” for the Breast Cancer Awareness March on City Island this Saturday, Oct. 18 to raise awareness and contributions for the cause. Darlene, Emily, and the team are committed in a way that reaches far beyond the fight in this truly worthy undertaking.
The walk kicks off at 9 a.m. at 245 Championship Way on the Island. Much more than a walk, it’s a movement. For more info, contact Jessica Moyer and Chelsey Hall at 800-227-2345. Everyone benefits greatly with a little help from their friends. On a personal note, I am proud to work as the concierge two mornings a week at Ralph Lauren Polo in Hershey. This October marks the 25th year for The Pink Pony initiative in the company’s fight against breast cancer. This has great impact in our lives knowing that our dear friend continues to march with and for all the women and men bringing a very personal battle to the foreground. There is power in pink—when one imagines the millions of marchers across the country this month linked arm in arm, united to defeat breast cancer, it is more than inspirational, it is game changing.
Lancaster Art Walk
There is so much art and so many galleries in Lancaster that their biannual ArtWalk is spread out over an entire weekend. This Saturday, Oct. 18, and Sunday Oct. 19, be sure to start your days early as Saturday opens the gala at 10 a.m. and goes till 5 p.m. with Sunday operating from noon to 4 p.m. From museums like the legendary Demuth to coffee shops as in Denim Coffee, to a college as in The Pennsylvania College of Art and Design to a jeweler, Sara Gallo Custom Jewelers, to a group of Guilders found under the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, to dozens or so independent art galleries. Leading off those eclectic entrepreneurial standalones are the Lancaster Art Vault helmed by owner/curator Victoria Abadir. Curious? How about “curio. Gallery & Creative Supply” featuring 60 local artists. Join in making your mark for “Connecting the Dots” exhibition on view in the gallery. Find fine art at Fescue Gallery and Freiman Stolzfus Gallery. Another F is a design studio names Foxduck, specializing in custom tees. The Friendship Heart Gallery is a retail shop with art, gifts, and cards created by artists with intellectual disabilities and autism. Just for good measure how about a frame shop? The Framing Concept answers that call.
Courtesy of Red Raven Art Co.
Unusually artistic on different fronts are The Ware Center for the Performing Arts, Lancaster Arts Hotel, which offers “a living gallery” far beyond a bed for the night, and Urban Arts House, a cultural hub in the city for performing musicians, artists, writers, and makers. Another group of fine art independents are Gallery on Market, Karen Anderer Fine Art and Red Raven Art Company. Art under “Museums” include the renown Phillips Museum of Art and the legendary Lancaster Museum of Art. By this time, you may be ready for a drink and a bite to eat. Do both at once at Vine Bar. Charcuterie boards and a vast array of regional and international wines await to tempt your palate. Drink in the art while you dine. Speaking of palettes, back to the galleries. Third Story sounds like you may be going up to view art, and This Is Happiness Studio says it all! Gallery Grow and Modern Art seem to sprout art for our day and age. Susan Ebersole and Jeremy Waak represent an abstract painter specializing in watercolor and a sculptor and mixed media artist respectively, well worth seeking out on the Art Walk Map. Art apart from the tried and true is West Art. It offers an event venue located in St. Peters United Church of Christ. Categorically speaking how about books, candy, toys, and art? Newly opened Pocket Books on Prince is its second city branch. It touts itself as “a feminist bookstore.” Nooks Gallery also finds books, art, and toys for view and purchase. The Vintage Candy Shop rounds out this merry-go-round mix of venues and variety for this edition of Lancaster Art Walk. Live demos, a chance to meet the artists, and fingers crossed, great weather ahead all add up to a Red Rose weekend to remember.
3rd in The Burg Invitations
This commercial interruption brings you a 3rd in the Burg treat this Friday, Oct. 17 for early Halloween fun. Carrie “Wissler in the Dark” Thomas, “Nate the Nocturnal,” and “Alanna and the Aliens” invites you to the Art Association of Harrisburg‘s 2nd Annual Costume Party from 6 to 9 p.m. Prizes and live music provided by Jonathan “Frankenstein” Frazier are sure to run a chill up your spine. Be cool, be a ghoul, but don’t be late!!
Also during 3rd in the Burg, don’t miss Civic Club’s “Art Unites the World” Artist Advisory Council’s LatinX Heritage Celebration—an evening of art, food and conversation at The Civic Club of Harrisburg’s historic Overlook Mansion, 612 N. Front St.
Olga Negrón
From 5 to 8 p.m., you’ll have the opportunity to shop local vendors, enjoy wine, appetizers and a taco bar, and experience the rich history and journey of the LatinX culture through special guest speakers Olga Negrón, executive director of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Commission on Latino Affairs, and Raíces Creativas, a local collective of LatinX creative entrepreneurs. The Mistresses of Ceremonies for the evening are Leslie Avila and Vanessa Codorniu.
Now, back to our regularly programmed show coming to you from York, Pa.
The Early Arrival of Halloween: “Spooky”
Work by Alana Beall at HIVE artspace
Make no mistake about it…people love their Halloween. “Their” is the operative word. Every year, it seems to start earlier and with Labor Day on the 1st of September, this go-round the “oversized blowup creatures” that often eclipse the house sprung up on many lawns lending a garish not ghoulish atmosphere to the landscape. This phenomenon only makes me even more appreciative of growing up in the ‘50s, boomer that I am. An old school purist, I recall the fall porch decor with an ardor reserved for a school flame. Hay bales with pumpkins atop and harvest corn shocks were de rigueur for the person ambiance. Traditionally, Halloween in its simplicity works best. The once “classic” seems to have fallen by the wayside to be replaced by Balloons, Ballast, and Boo! That’s not to say modern day decor doesn’t have its place. After all, it’s 2025 and anything goes. After seven years of writing about my favorite holiday, you now know October holds a special place in my heart for its 31 days and nights.
No one does the “Spooky” season better in the world of art than my caldron churner from York at HIVE artspace than Susan Scofield. For years now, October at Hive is reserved for all things when the bad moon rises. She tips her witches hat just so with a wink and chants “Eye of newt and batwing broth” is her Soup of the Day but the month holds a full bag of tricks and treats through Oct. 31 for the Spooky show. October Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m. at 126 E. King St. are perfect viewing times for the exhibit to purchase from the gallery’s walls. Hive packs them with frightening art from Harrisburg and points beyond reaching to Transylvania (actually, how about Italy?) Our beloved capitol city area features art from F.S. Autumn, Jessie Barber, Tina Berrier, Travis Heil, Annie Nann, Athony Ortega, Hanna Waddington, Billy Twist, and Jimmy Weiner. An outlier who crossed the state line at midnight was Alana Beall from Maryland. Alana brought Edgar Allen Poe on a canvas. After all, Poe spent his final days in Baltimore. As a note of interest, the ghosts of Gettysburg boast the art of Timothy Myers (no relation to Michael.)
York and its surrounding community again win the day by sheer force of numbers. Susan’s reputation for showcasing local and national talent says a lot about her love of art and she is always the first to shine a spotlight on emerging and established artists. Skeletons in the closet from the White Rose city rattle their bones from the likes of Sam Georgieff, Mary Carder, Denzy Dark, Riley Deckard, Jenifer Dorman, Heather Greenough, Josh Knaub, Robin Hotaling, Juliann Langeheine, Thomas McAdams, Jenna McFarland, Stormi Vaughn Morgan, and Frances Pugh, comprise a ghostly “13”. Conjuring The Sign of Four are Nicole Smeltzer, Wendy Lane Smith, Helen K. Wonders, and Daphne Watts whose art is featured on Hive’s header for the show. The Red Rose City pulls up second with Rachel Hoffman, Kyle Newkirk, Kristin Reynolds, Gabrielle Shelley, and Katie Weaver. Yikes!!!
November’s Suprise: The Civic Club of Harrisburg’s Unveiling
It all started in The Garden thousands of years ago. That life-changing paradise was the start of humans, says the Bible. The Civic Club of Harrisburg has celebrated its historical contributions to the city since its inception over a 125 years ago. In different measures this revered institution has dramatically uplifted lives bringing positive initiatives to the forefront. Beyond those social dynamics, “culture” with art as a major component plays a vital role in the Civic Club’s mission.
President Contrena Baltimore proudly announces a stunning addition to its Women’s History Garden on the grounds at 612 N. Front St. A magnificent topiary statue, “The Green Goddess,” will be unveiled and dedicated on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. “In sharing the genesis of this incredible work of art, Ms. Baltimore reached new heights in her praise of the legacy and rich history of Harrisburg’s women. From the trail blazing founder of the Civic Club, Mira Lloyd Dock, to modern day leaders, the new “Earth Goddess Topiary” installation enriches their narrative …with her flowing green hair and vibrant floral features, she brings a new layer of life and inspiration to our cherished space along the Susquehanna River. The vision came to life through the incredible support of Michael Grove, Joe Kyte Topiary Joe, the artistic creator, the Civic Club of Harrisburg, and the hard work of our dedicated Penn State Master Gardener, Patrick Riley. This sculpture is woven with vibrant plant life that will change with the seasons, offering a new perspective with every visit.”
“I invite all of Harrisburg to visit the Women’s History Garden. Come and be inspired by its beauty and resilience of the women we honor…a goddess who embodies the essence of growth, strength, and legacy. The Civic Club has always been dedicated to service and beautification, and this new topiary installation represents our continued commitment to this mission.”
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