Tag Archives: Art

Up and Art: Michael Hertrich moves his gallery to the “middle of everywhere.”

December 30, 2019 | by Erika Firestone

Sometimes, you discover art in the most unlikely of places

For instance, above a shoe store.

That’s where you’ll find Hertrich Fine Art, on the second floor of a rather modest commercial building in Midtown Harrisburg. In August, Michael Hertrich and husband Paul Cannon moved their gallery from Pittsburgh to the heart of Midtown, just a few doors down from the Susquehanna Art Museum.

On the day I visited, classical music played in the background as Hertrich set up the main gallery for a meeting of the local group, the Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel. The walls are covered in pieces representing a variety of mediums and featuring varied artists, such as Harrisburg local Kevyn Knox, whose self-taught quirky and colorful abstract faces Hertrich speaks highly of.

On a quick tour of the rest of the space, Hertrich pointed out his framing workshop, interior design studio and the Adam and Eve-inspired pieces he is currently working on by painting over canvas collages. The diversity of his talent and interests seems effortlessly cohesive as we toured each room.

Hertrich described himself as a right brain/left brain person.

He began his academic career at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania with the intention of becoming a math teacher, eventually realizing he was compelled to pursue a career rooted in the arts. He initially moved into architecture and served as the student museum board member, assisting with the opening of the IUP museum.

It was during this time that Hertrich began to learn conservation, matting and framing, all skills he has continued to use over the last 30 years. He eventually moved into fine arts, graduating with a BFA, and managed several art galleries before opening his own on the south side of Pittsburgh in 1989.

So, what inspires him?

“I don’t have a favorite artist,” he said. “I like whatever catches my eye.”

He went on to to describe his particular fondness for the “color field” style of painting, a movement led by Mark Rothko, whose work reminds Hertrich of his own. He and his husband are also deeply passionate about photography, traveling as far as Paris to view exhibitions.

The name Pablo Picasso then came up.

“If an artist wants to study how to become well known in their field, they should pick up a book about Picasso,” he said. “His energy, drive and work ethic are unbelievable. Look at people who are household names to us, not even just in art. Warhol never stopped, Madonna never stopped, even Martha Stewart, she never stopped.”

Hertrich never stops either, but has shifted his focus since moving to Harrisburg.

While the decision to move was contingent on Cannon’s career, Hertrich welcomed the change as they quickly adopted Midtown as their home. The move went smoothly despite the task of transporting more than 20,000 pieces of their personal collection. His Pittsburgh gallery pieces were initially placed in storage as he had considered retiring to paint, but that didn’t last long once he started looking at properties and came across the second-floor space on 3rd Street.

Hertrich Fine Art is a smaller operation than the Pittsburgh gallery, an intentional decision to scale back. Inhabiting the upper floor allows him to be more selective about hours of operation. At this point in his career, he is invested in mentoring and giving back to the art community. Describing himself as an old-school gallery owner, he takes pride in developing a few artists, rather than flipping the art work on the walls every few months.

Promoting the arts has remained the most important component to Hertrich’s work. He is passionate about the opportunity to do so in a city that he believes has a wealth of art for its size, touching not just on the visual arts but poetry, theater and music. Another bonus is the city’s proximity to major East Coast art destinations such as New York.

“I don’t think Harrisburgers even realize the gem they have,” he said. “People here have a tendency to say they’re in the middle of nowhere. And I say, no, you’re in the middle of everywhere.”

Hertrich Fine Art is located at 1421 N. 3rd St, second floor, Harrisburg. More information, visit www.mhartframe.com.

Artist in Focus: Craig Andrews

December 30, 2019 | by Admin

Sometimes, great things arrive right over the transom—or the modern equivalent—through email. That’s how we learned about Craig Andrews, who proactively sent us a message to let us know about his artwork.

Craig likes to work in a variety of mediums or, as he puts it, “I don’t want to put myself in a box when it comes to being creative.” That said, he has a special fondness for landscapes, cityscapes and watercolors, with some mixed media, photography and abstractions tossed into the mix.

It’s possible you’ve already seen his work, as he’s shown throughout central PA in places such as the Art Association of Harrisburg, Lebanon Valley College and the York Art Association.

We’re happy to share with you a sampling of his work. We hope you like it as much as we did when he originally sent us a taste. If you’d like to see more, check out his online portfolio at www.cmadesignfineart.com.

Bob’s Art Blog: OMG ACW OGW

October 14, 2019 | by Bob MacGinnes

Charlie Feathers’ table at One Good Woman

All right, kids, it’s a Saturday morning, so get your magic decoder rings out to decipher this message.

In 1934, the radio show, “Little Orphan Annie,” sponsored by Ovaltine, used this format to send a cryptic challenge for listeners to solve. This art blog headline reads, “Oh my gosh,” “American Craft Week” at “One Good Woman” in Camp Hill.

The two—crafts and the establishment—have gone hand-in-hand since founder and 20-year proprietor, Holly O’Connor, sold the tea and coffee emporium to owners of the past four years, Michele Koch and Mechelle Webster, who, last Saturday, were found at their newly built flagship store, anchored at 1801 Market St.

American Craft Week truly signifies the arrival of the fall season with its celebration taking place nationally the first two weeks of October. One Good Woman culled local talent with a threesome of artists, each a master craftsperson in their respective fields.

The one good woman, prolific painter, Gail Walden Coleman of Mechanicsburg, draws on a color palette she perfected creating sublimely elegant, multi-faceted necklaces and earrings. She has taken that expertise and transferred it to canvas now using acrylics and oils (pictured). The end result delivers a cornucopia of color with dramatic destinations left up to the imagination, informing a final narrative. Coleman’s work can be viewed at the Art Association of Harrisburg in its “Hope, Memory and Pride” exhibit that runs Oct. 18 through Nov. 21. In addition, her work will be featured at the Cornerstone Coffeehouse in December.

Master wood-turner from Liverpool, Toby Bouder, selects his woods based on the strength of their intrinsic properties. Bouder draws from a forest of trees including ash, elm, maple, oak, holly, hemlock and boxwood. Their inherent beauty comes through in the aging process and in his rendering on the lathe. The dyes used, comprised of primary colors, red, yellow and blue, mix to provide unique transformations, as the wood never reacts to the dyes quite the same twice. Bouder’s works (pictured) can be viewed at the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen show at the All Star Sports Complex in Gettysburg the weekend of Nov. 16 and 17. His collection will also be part of the Odd Ones Bazaar on Nov. 30 at the Millworks in Midtown.

At a coffee and tea purveyor (OGW), of course, the Mad Hatter would be there. This time, it in the guise of artist Charlie Feathers, who held court at his table dressed for Alice and friends—all customers of One Good Woman. Teapots of all varieties clamored for attention (pictured top) while Charlie grinned like the Cheshire Cat. An artist who eludes the trappings of a label, Feathers always colors outside the lines, blurring reality and fantasy with a dollop of whimsy on top. A painter, sculptor, potter, clothier and jeweler with his Bootleg Collection of wearable art, his works adorn H*MAC on a rotating basis. Charlie’s offerings have been featured at the Susquehanna Art Museum and Metropolis Collective and are among an upcoming group at the Art Association of Harrisburg with his collaborator, Reina Wooden. In addition, Charlie is the featured artist at H*MAC for 3rd in the Burg on Nov. 15.

American craft is alive and well in central PA as viewed last Saturday in Camp Hill. One Good Woman in this edition has featured its crafts collective as part of its repertoire. Discover for yourself and be sure to look for these artists at galleries, art associations and events near you taking place this autumn.

One Good Woman is located at 1801 Market St., Camp Hill. For more information, visit their website.

The Painted Word: Fall into a new season of art

September 30, 2019 | by Bob MacGinnes

“Icons in Transformation” at the Riverfront Gallery of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral in Harrisburg

Fall officially started a few days ago, and the bittersweet sentiment for the season is shared by many.

Nature’s handiwork in all its glorious array often leaves us breathless with wonder. The season’s glory is over within a mere passage of months, and without fail, the final leaves drop by Thanksgiving. There will be piles of leaves to rake, apple cider to drink and share, football and soccer games to cheer at and the list goes on. The greatest art exhibit of the season can be seen right outside your front door or from your back porch. Autumn art brings a kaleidoscope of color to exhibits near and far.

Here are a few of the highlights from Adams to York Counties and all in between. Mark your calendars and set the dates from the start of October through the end of the year of art you won’t want to miss.

Art Happenings Now: Just mere days left! Catch them before they are gone. Ceramic Works by Carolanne Currier and Jack Troy at the Rose Lehman Art Gallery through Oct. 3 at Harrisburg Area Community College. Be sure to see Evan Summer’s Remnants of the Future through Oct. 5 at the Trout Gallery of Dickinson College in Carlisle.

Mark the Calendar:

Oct. 5 is significant as its date speaks to a number of noteworthy art endeavors. “American Craft Week” kicks off with a celebration at the newly reopened One Good Woman at 1801 Market St., Camp Hill. Shop that Saturday in preparation for artisans’ arrival on Saturday, Oct. 12, crafting and selling their wares from 9 to 4. While over in Carlisle, how do you keep them down on the farm when art hath such charm? Join them together for Carlisle Art Learning Center’s (CALC) fundraiser to help Farmers On The Square at Roots Flower Farm. Locally sourced food and beverages with artists creating saleable art all for a great cause. And don’t forget Lancaster City’s Art Walk Weekend, Oct. 5 and 6.

Lancaster Fall Art Walk
And you thought Lancaster only had shoofly pie…Venture to Lancaster City to catch the Fall Art Walk the weekend of Oct. 4 to 6. First Friday, Oct. 4, provides the initial preview with nearly 40 galleries and museums opening their doors from 10 a.m. to closing time. Start on Gallery Row (Prince Street), host to more than a half-dozen venues in a three-block span. Highlights for the weekend include Saturday hours, 10 to 5, and Sunday, 12 to 4. Be sure to wish a happy 94th birthday to nonagenarian artist, Dr. Robert A. Nelson, who is presenting his famous collage drawings, as well as his customary art, “Release From the Vault” at CityFolk Gallery at 146 North Prince St. “Vault” issues include his works across varied mediums. While on Prince Street, be sure to visit neighbors Christiane David Gallery at 112, Artisans Gallery at 114, Red Raven Art Company at 138, Liz Hess Gallery at 140, Freiman Stolzfus Gallery at 142, and The Pennsylvania College of Art and Design at 204. Two outstanding art museums include Lancaster Museum of Art at 135 N. Lime St. and the Demuth Museum at 120 E. King St., which is located in modernist painter Charles Demuth’s former home and studio. Then venture further to all downtown galleries and artist studios for more excitement.

Museums
The State Museum of Pennsylvania: The “Picturing a More Perfect Union” exhibit opens Nov. 22 through April 26, featuring Violet Oakley’s studies of her work for the

Pennsylvania Senate chamber murals. This exhibit is mounted in commemoration of the centennial for the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM): Catch The Harrisburg Sketchers on location at SAM through Oct. 27 and “Hidden City,” a collection of plein air landscape paintings from artist, Valerie Larko through Nov. 17. A collection of photographs culled from 40 photographers creates “Wars Only Half the Story,” featured in SAM’s Main Gallery Oct. 12 to Jan. 19 from the groundbreaking, “The Aftermath Project.” Also featured in the main gallery, from Oct. 19 through Jan. 19, is artist Inka Essenhigh, whose mythological paintings come to life. In the DeSoto Family Vault, “Dreams” by Peter Ydeen, runs Nov. 1 to Jan. 12. Photosurrealist Ydeen captures the city of Easton in a series of photos that looks for a city gone missing. His series is hauntingly heightened by the cover of night.

The Lancaster Museum of Art: Pennsylvania Watercolor Society’s 40th “International Juried Exhibition” runs through Oct. 26.

Demuth Museum: Henry Libhart: “Ravishing Realism” runs through Nov 10. This exhibition explores the life and work of Lancaster County artist Henry Libhart. He is known for his trompe l’oeil still life paintings in oil and watercolor.

Art Associations

Adams County Art Council: But first a word from our sponsor. The apple of our eye…bushel baskets of red and gold, pumpkins by the pound and the best apple cider donuts can be found at Hollabaugh’s Farm Market on 545 Carlisle Rd. in Biglerville headed into Gettysburg. Stop on your way to “First Fridays” at the Adams County Art Council located at 125 S. Washington St. Nov. 1 opens the members only show, which runs to the end of November.

The Art Association of Harrisburg: “Hope, Memory and Pride” runs Oct. 18 to Nov. 21. LGBT exhibit, in which artists view equality in conjunction with Dickinson College archives chronicling the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall, a watershed event in the LGBT Movement. In addition, an exhibit highlighting the opium crisis, “Bits & Pieces of the Past,” features the award winning art of Maria Maneos, pioneer of “Brush With the Law.” Also “Psychic Gallery” comes Nov. 9 with advance tickets for sale…but you already knew that.

Carlisle Art Learning Center (CALC): “People and Places” by Kim Stone and Pat Walach Keough features a collection of new works with candid observations of everyday scenes captured in plein air-inspired style. Main gallery Sept. 27 to Nov. 2. In the upper gallery through Oct. 25, “The Balkan Back Story,” photographs by Janet Powers, professor Emerita at Gettysburg College, who researched women’s recovery from the Bosnian War.

The Hershey Area Art Association: Weekend of Oct. 19 to 20 “Annual Members Show” of new art at The Hershey Historical Society Museum. Weekend of Dec. 5 to 8 in the Community Room at Spring Hill Suites on Rt. 39 next to the Antique Automobile Car Association Museum, features winter-themed member art.

Lebanon Valley Council on the Arts: All exhibits open “First Fridays” with musical performances afterwards at 7:30 p.m. The council’s building is located at 770 Cumberland St, Lebanon. On Oct. 4,York-based artist, John Terlazzo, who paints in the style of Fauves using bright colors that visually reference eastern cultures. Nov. 1, Jolene Windmiller of Mt. Gretna paints both real and imagined landscapes in addition to creating stain glass windows. Dec. 6, Elaine Martin, watercolorist, who paints what she views in her eastern county Lebanon neighborhood.

Millersburg Art Association (Gallery on the Square): “Something for Everyone” by artist Carrie Feidt. The show runs through Oct 12. The Art of PA Game News” by artist and Millersburg native, Dana Bellis, who illustrated for the Pennsylvania Game New Magazine from 2011 to 2018. He will be offering hand-signed and numbered giclee prints from his cover art. Show runs Oct 16 to Nov 16.

Perry County Council of the Arts: Oct 18 to Jan 11. Artisan marketplace at the PCCA Gallery, 1 S. Second St, Newport. Special holiday exhibition featuring locally made fine art and handcrafts by emerging and professional artists. Oct. 18 to Nov. 2, “Arts for All” exhibition at Landis House, 67 N. Fourth St. Explore an exhibition of art work created in the Arc of Cumberland and Perry Counties (CPARC) and PCCA six-week inclusive art classes for all ages and abilities led by Tom Oakes. Select pieces will be highlighted in this exhibition opened to the community. Nov. 15 to Jan. 17. Fifth Annual Juried Exhibition at Landis House. Original artwork in a variety of media will be on display during this annual exhibition.

The York County Art Association: Annual Fall Membership Show through Oct. 19. The 49th annual Juried Art Show runs Nov. 3 to Dec. 14 at 220 S. Marshall St.

Colleges and Universities – Go to the head of the class. Art class that is, as these institutions of higher learning are offering stellar shows this fall.

Dickinson College: The Trout Gallery: Through Oct.19, “Water,” artist Edward Burtynsky’s photographic plea to rethink our greatest yet shrinking natural resource before it’s gone. Burtynsky’s “Hope is that his pictures stimulate thinking about what can be done to save planet Earth’s supply before it’s too late.” “Water” is organized by the New Orleans Museum of Art. Beginning Oct. 11 to Feb. 1 is a collection of Buddhist sculpture in the exhibit Manifestation and Adaptation: Variations in Buddhist Sculpture Across Asia. Nov. 1 to Feb. 15 marks the collection of developments in Japanese printmaking in Abstract Traditions: Postwar Japanese Prints from the DePauw University.

Gettysburg College: “Schmucker Art Gallery” through Nov. 12. “Artful Nature and The Legacy of Maria Sibylla Merian,” which features 18^th-century prints by German naturalist and artist, Maria Sibylla Merian. “1647-1717” The exhibit is curated by Gettysburg college students. Emily Roush ’21 and Shannon Zeitman ’21 under the direction of professors Felicia Else and Kay Etheridge. Artists Susanne Slovick and Andrew Ellis Johnson’s exhibit running through Dec. 6, “Getting There,” posits the question that migrants and refugees face in the fear of the unknown and the stranger that reveals our own collective conscience.

Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC): Rose Lehrman Art Gallery hosts Brenton Good’s exhibit, “An Edge is First a Cut,” Oct. 14 to Nov. 7. The student honors photography exhibit runs from Nov. 18 to Dec. 5.

Lebanon Valley College: “Suzanne H Arnold Art Gallery” Nov. 1 to Dec. 15. “Insider/Outsider” Exhibit spans the development of social realism starting with the Ashcan School in the early 20th century. A cultural shock to many, social realist art turned it’s back on academic traditions instead, staging subjects from the working class population. Paintings, photographs and prints speak to furthering social activism.

Messiah College: “The Galleries at Messiah College,” Oct. 18 to Nov. 26. Two art exhibitions from the Bowden Collection: “Was God Dead?” Biblical imagination in German expressionist prints. Otto Dix: “Matthaus Evangelium” Oct. 18 to Nov. 26. Nora Sturges: “Postcards from the Unknown” Dec. 6 to Jan. 29. Artist Nora Sturges unearths mystery and more in her paintings at the Messiah College Aughinbaugh Art Gallery.

Millersville University: “Susan C. and Gerald C. Eckert Art Gallery” First Fridays at The Ware Center. “Diasphoric Musing” Oct. 23 to Dec. 6. Featured artists: Sharif Bey, Michael Clemmons, Mary Hakim Martin and Paul Andrew Wandless. Sykes Gallery, “Cowboys and Carpenters” artists Sutton Demlong and Alex Schecter runs Oct. 21 to Jan. 29 at 60 W. College Ave.

Shippensburg University: “Kauffman Gallery” at The Huber Art Center. “Fantastic Function” Sept. 30 to Oct. 23. Art students create unique clothing!

Harrisburg Churches

Riverfront Gallery: St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral and School. 221 N. Front St. The gallery features regional artists that rotates artwork three times a year. Now showing through November 3rd is a touring exhibit of contemporary and traditional iconography entitled “Icons in Transformation” by artist Ludmila Pawlowska.

Zion Lutheran Church: 15 S. 4th St. On view is traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy by Diana Neng; paintings and drawings by Max Tillet; and additional artwork by friends of Zion. An extensive collection of original stencil prints by Japanese artist Sadao Watanabe will also be available thru Oct. 17.

Salem United Church of Christ: 231 Chestnut St. Barbara James features mixed-media works. Larry Lombardo, signature member of both the American and National Watercolor Societies, will be exhibiting watercolors as well as paintings thru Oct. 17.

Pine Street Presbyterian Church: 310 N. 3rd St. “The Finkle Family Fine Art” is featured with mixed-media paintings by Joanne, ink and pencil drawings by M. Lou Girard, wood/stone sculptures by Bob Finkle and John Hertzler, and wooden bowls by Lou Pulvino through Oct. 17.

Schools

Art Center School and Galleries: 18 Artcraft Dr., Mechanicsburg. The Red Barn hosts “The Seven Lively Artists Show” through Oct.18, has grown to 15 and includes William Anderson, Earl Blust, Domnick Brandt, Jim Bricker, Karl Foster, Jonathan Frazier, Paul Gallo, John Hassler, David Henry, Ralph Hocker, W. T. Kerman, Dave Leber, Don Lenker, John McNulty and Steve Wetzel. So get lively and grab your partner and do-si-do. After all, you are in a barn.

Capital Area School for the Arts Charter School (CASA): 150 Strawberry Square, 3rd and Walnut streets, Harrisburg. CASA Visual Art Student Exhibition, through Oct. 17.

Independents

Lebanon Picture Frame and Fine Art Gallery, LLC: 847 Cumberland St, Lebanon. Local collage artist, Tina Valgenti, will be exhibiting pieces of her most recent collage art for the month of October. Tina uses her discriminating eye to accumulate unique assemblages of individual items and forms them into a whole to create wonderful pieces of modern art. Oct. 4 to Oct. 26. Local abstract painter, Dennis Easter, will be exhibiting his most recent abstract paintings for the month of November. The exhibit will open on Friday, November 1st during the First Friday Art Walk thru November 30th. Dennis employs an “add and subtract” technique in which he stacks lays of colors and partially washes away some while building on others with an end goal of creating an atmosphere where the colors and shapes speak to each other. Two of the region’s most accomplished premier oil painters, Robert Heilman and Jean Zaun, will be jointly exhibiting their most recent oil paintings for the months of December and January.

Moss Creek Art: 315 Bridge St, New Cumberland. Guest gallerist from Lancaster, Liz Hess, whose art works will be featured during the holiday season.

Paper Lion Gallery: 1217 Hummel Ave, Lemoyne. “Mamacha Carmen” photographic series by Dilmar Mauricio Gamero Santos, celebrating the Peruvian Festival of the Virgin of Mount Carmel. Sept. 28 to Nov. 2.

HMAC House of Music Arts and Culture: 1110 N 3rd St. Fall 3rd in the BURG schedule. Oct 18, artist/author Bethany Nicolle, Nov. 15 Boxer Charles Feathers featuring bootleg and “R76” and Dec. 20 features pop culture artist/photographer/comic book writer, “Kevyn Knox”

The Millworks: 340 Verbeke St. Oct. 15 to Nov. 10, new works by Elaine Brady Smith, Christine Goldbeck, Andrew Guth, Judy Kelly, Yachiyo Beck and Lori Sweet. Nov. 12 to Jan. 12 is the all-inclusive artists show. Cash and carry exhibit for the holiday season. Nov. 30 the Odd Ones Holiday Bazaar featuring 37 in house artists plus over 20 outside vendors throughout the building will have for purchase locally sourced, unique hand crafted items for the holiday season. Event runs 11 a.m. to 5 pm.

Vivi on Verbeke: 3rd in the BURG’s place to be. Oct. 18, Nov. 15 and Dec. 20. “Our dedicated effort towards the strengthening and revitalization of a creative and inspiring Midtown Harrisburg” (Vivian Sterste). The gallery is open most Friday and Saturdays. Specializing in pottery with panache; photographs with patina; sculptures that sizzle and heedful herbal and natural crafts created. All to be seen and appreciated up close.

Art in Focus: Murals Among Us

September 30, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

By now, you surely have noticed them.

They’re large, colorful and, until a few weeks ago, didn’t exist at all. They’re Harrisburg’s newest murals.

The 2019 Harrisburg Mural Festival wrapped up last month with 14 new murals adorning public spaces in downtown and Midtown Harrisburg, Allison Hill and a section of the Capital Area Greenbelt.

Sprocket Mural Works brought world-class muralists to Harrisburg for the 10-day festival, which included such events as an artist Q&A, a community paint day and, greatest of all, a huge block party in front of the state Capitol.

But maybe you haven’t seen all of the murals—or would just like to see them all in one place. So, we proudly present the newest kids on the block, stunning works of art that will be with us for decades to come.

To learn more about Sprocket Mural Works, visit www.sprocketmuralworks.com.

The Painted Word: As you gear up for Gallery Walk, come meet the Art Association’s Carrie Wissler-Thomas.

August 30, 2019 | by Bob MacGinnes

Many people begin their journey with ideals to change the world, and, for the rare few, that happens. Central Pennsylvania has one of these people in its midst—Carrie Wissler-Thomas, who is starting her 40th year at the helm of the Art Association of Harrisburg (AAH).

Wissler-Thomas knew her life was destined for the world of art as a student at Ephrata High. When she married her high school sweetheart, Scott Thomas, and moved to Harrisburg, the dream began—a life of art unfolded as a publicist and copywriter at AAH. That stint grew into her becoming the main catalyst at the association, and, in 1980, she was elected president.

Later, Wissler-Thomas became the CEO and steered the vaunted institution from its 1926 humble beginnings to achieve its gold standard reputation today. When one enters the halls of the Art Association, it is like being ushered into a private club, without the pretense of pressure to fit into a certain niche. This state of mind is achieved through Wissler-Thomas, who is an expert in all facets of art through the ages.

Over a storied, four-decade career, Wissler-Thomas breathed fresh life into an association that relies on strong leadership across many settings. From art administrator to fundraiser to grant-writer, she does so many things well.

Her duties encompass full responsibility for the 500 students enrolled in the year-round art classes and in maintaining an art membership that now boasts 600 members. In addition, she supervises a part-time gallery staff of five and relies on 20 faculty educators. In fact, she is the first to recognize that the association is only as strong as every cog in the wheel and is quick to praise not only staff, but students and association members alike.

Gracious, genteel and gifted are but a few of the words that come to mind immediately upon meeting Wissler-Thomas. She welcomes you like an old friend of the family. And being in her presence is like taking a history lesson in the world of art.

In many ways, Wissler-Thomas was the progenitor of multi-tasking long before it came into vogue. She is an educator, painter, gallerist, author, mentor and the coordinator for the citywide Harrisburg Gallery Walk, which takes place on Sept. 8 for its 31st year. She also oversees 17 sites of rotating art installations found in select businesses, assisted in her mission by gallery Curator Rachel O’Connor.

Today, Wissler-Thomas whiles away any free time painting on the banks of the Susquehanna across from the association’s lovely building and on the wee shores of her beloved Scotland.

Wissler-Thomas is responsible in part for the Art Association’s new mission statement, “The AAH promotes the visual arts through education and exhibitions and enhances the wellness of area residents.”

Possibly the most fascinating chapter of the Wissler-Thomas/AAH relationship is the history captured in print by the CEO herself. Her book, “As the Paint Dries, the History of the Art Association of Harrisburg,” is more than a personal reflection on her life. It reads like a who’s who of both the association and the city that has supported the arts over the years. Rich in historical perspective, her lens lovingly recreates snapshots frozen in time from years predating her involvement with AAH and all the years since.

If longevity is a criteria for greatness, that box would be checked. If it’s the imprint one makes on a culture, then put an “x” in that box, as well. True greatness encompasses both and so much more. Greatness is measured on the tenets of enriching others’ lives and making the world a better place for all.

So, it is with a grateful heart that Harrisburg gets to acknowledge a veritable icon in the art world of central PA—Carrie Wissler-Thomas. Her orbit is as far-reaching as the number of lives she has touched throughout her career, equivalent to trying to count the stars in the sky.

2019 Gallery Walk is slated for Sunday, Sept. 8, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Art Association of Harrisburg is located at 21 N. Front St., Harrisburg. For more information on both, visit www.artassocofhbg.com.

“The Painted Word” is an occasional column on the fine arts scene around Harrisburg.

The Painted Word: Mural Festival, Gallery Walk open Harrisburg’s autumn art season

August 29, 2019 | by Bob MacGinnes

Early bird: A mural is already in progress across the street from the state Capitol, with many more coming soon during the 2019 Harrisburg Mural Festival.

All the lines from the 1950s TV show, “The Adventures of Superman,” apply: “faster than a speeding bullet” (14 murals in 10 days), “able to leap tall buildings” (artists on scaffolds)… “look up in the sky, it’s…” – the Harrisburg Mural Festival.

When you stop to think about it, Mural Fest is a super feat of artistic achievement, and like with Superman, the public is grateful for its vision. No kryptonite here, just Sprocket Mural Works in high gear (no pun intended).

The power of art speaks for itself. Started in 2014 as a valiant volunteer brigade, Sprocket Mural Works evolved from an idea to 2017’s initial Mural Fest that featured 18 new murals, with local, regional, national and international artists participating in the event.

The 2019 Harrisburg Mural Festival, which starts on Aug. 30, will yield 14 more grand works, as a select group of art-busting aficionados unleash their collective power, ready for the public to tour them by end of the festival, on Sept. 8.

On that day, a block party will set up near the state Capitol, along with mural tours, live music, food vendors, a pop-up biergarten and more, including an artist’s market sponsored by the Harrisburg Flea.

Harrisburg photographer Dani Lucas perhaps put it best when, speaking about the 2017 Mural Festival, she said, “It is one thing to say that murals are tools for civic engagement. It is another to witness it on such a grand scale.”

As just mentioned, the mural festival wraps up on Sept. 8, which happens to coincide with another artistic blockbuster, the 31st citywide Gallery Walk.

The Gallery Walk lineup this year totals 19 sites, fitting for 2019, if only in that the stars are aligned. It begs the question, did Carrie Wissler-Thomas, founder and coordinator of the art walk, plan it that way?

No matter, as the venues are as eclectic as they come. Starting with the catalyst for art in Harrisburg is the Art Association’s 93rd anniversary. The Pennsylvania State Museum and the Susquehanna Art Museum round out three main art institutions in the city, all taking part. At the outside perimeter of Gallery Walk lies the Latino Hispanic American Community Center across the Mulberry Street Bridge and, also pushing the boundary, is the Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park. Four churches feature art: St. Stephen’s Riverfront Gallery, Zion Lutheran Church, Pine Street Presbyterian Church and Salem United Church of Christ.

Wissler-Thomas shared that Riverfront Gallery’s exhibit, “Icons in Transformation,” by artist Ludmilia Pawlowska, is a must-see for its depiction of contemporary religious iconography.

Young artists abound at the Capital Area School for the Arts (CASA). Midtown Scholar Bookstore, the Dauphin County Historical Society and the Historic Harrisburg Resource Center all bring their own unique dimensions to the event. And City House Bed & Breakfast doesn’t take its art lying down either.

As is its tendency, The Millworks offers food, fashion and an on-site brewery, in addition to its three-story artist’s enclave. The LGBT Center of Central PA creates a common ground for art and art lovers, welcoming the public to view the world through cultural and social engagement. Penn National Insurance and Old City Hall, as well as the Sprocket Mural Works block party, bring the total to 18 venues.

Last, but certainly not least, is the sole independent gallery participating that puts the “V” in Verbeke. That’s shorthand for Vivi on Verbeke, home to Harrisburg’s hippy couple of Bohemian bonhomie, Vivian Sterste and Jackson (Jeb) Boyd. You will find them at 258 Verbeke, out on their “perfect for people watching” bench in front of their pottery/art gallery. They’ll be offering humble hospitality to all who enter their powerhouse palace of art apart.

So, plan to come downtown, Midtown and all around Harrisburg on Sunday, Sept. 8, and party till the cows come home (so 2007) at the Harrisburg Mural Festival block party and Gallery Walk. Be ready to walk and talk and also leap tall buildings. See you there.

The 2019 Harrisburg Mural Festival runs Aug. 30 to Sept. 8 at numerous venues around Harrisburg. For more information, see the brochure in TheBurg’s August issue, at select locations or visit TheBurg’s website or Sprocket Mural Works. The 31st annual Gallery Walk takes place Sept. 8 at many venues throughout Harrisburg. For more information, visit the Gallery Walk website.

Art in the Burg: Our fine arts columnist takes a stroll up Verbeke Street during 3rd in the Burg.

August 19, 2019 | by Bob MacGinnes

Works by Ann Benton Yeager adorn the wall of “The Gallery” at The Millworks.

Usually in an art column, one starts with the art and its impact felt by those who view it. This time around, it is important to discuss three components that go into making an art event work.

The first is an “A” for atmosphere. Is the stage set to provide the tone the artists want to convey? For last Friday’s 3rd in the Burg, we narrowed that stage to Verbeke Street, nicely tucked between the two art blockbusters currently in Harrisburg (“Picasso: A Life in Print” at Susquehanna Art Museum and “Art of the State” at The State Museum of Pennsylvania, both reviewed previously).

Tara Chickey is the art director of the Millworks, presiding over a beehive of activity in this art enclave on Verbeke, just across from the Broad Street Market. We got the inside buzz for the new show that opened Friday night and runs through Sept. 15, including the lineup of artists that will be featured for the citywide Gallery Walk on Sept. 8. The Millworks has been a natural home for local artists creating their own nest within the larger art community. Tara knows that, to keep the colony productive, there has to be a sense of cross-pollination. Think of the artists as vital to the sociality of the hive.

Ann Benton Yeager’s “Modern Art” on the main floor, studio 103, revealed her “cold wax and oil” painting. The finished product is “cool” to say the least, but it is the process that makes it so unique. Yeager will demonstrate her art for Gallery Walk. Next, onto the Millworks’ first-floor Market Place, a room filled with treasures for art lovers of all flavors. From candles to leather goods, textiles to trinkets of an artistic bent, jewelry and clothing, all touchable and tempting, provide visual stimulation to those who enter.

We next traveled upstairs to Studio 319, a shared space with a trio of artists who refer to themselves as “the three-ring circus.” This includes Tina Berrier, who spoke to the stories behind her colorful and quirky portraits of people and animals. A personal favorite was a cocky chicken named Clyde smoking a cigarette (pictured). Colonel Sanders would frown upon that activity as this character proved to be a “Kentucky Clyde Chicken.” Fellow painter Judy Kelly gave us the lowdown on their place in Millworks history, as the trio has been part of the creative hive since its inception. Mary Gelenser, with her fiber art, rounds out this group of friends.

Sharing studio 323 is none other than Caleb Smith and Tara Chickey, the Millworks studio’s resident married couple. And TheBurg’s own creative director, Megan Caruso, adds her “Quiet Clay” vessels to the charm, elegant in their clean lines. In the back half of 323 was Maddie, gallery assistant to artist P.D. Murray, whose paintings were drenched in rich colors with wildly imaginative subjects. The hive atmosphere carried over into the restaurant and bar, a hub of after-work gatherings with weekend wishes already starting to come true, enhanced by the clink of glassware and gab. In a glamorous and gregarious way—that’s atmosphere.

We next ventured up the street, to No. 258, also known as “Vivi on Verbeke.” Here, Vivian Sterste and Jeb Boyd had a welcoming stage set up outdoors and in, with a bench and chairs and the most comfortable divan. Perfect pottery by Vivi and painterly photographs by Jeb added just the right amount of pop that also snapped and crackled. Again, the relationships they make with 3rd in the Burgers create a lasting bond. In promoting that mindset, an outsized community painting (pictured) waits inside for visitors to add their own creative marks.

Just up the street at 214 Verbeke, La Cultura makes networking a nuance not to be outdone by any other organization. Elyse Irvis, owner and operator of this unique establishment, subscribes to her mission statement of, “For the culture…franchising the disenfranchised.” Her plan allows local businesses and artists to rent space within the premises for special events and art exhibits, limited only by the imagination. Coming up on Sept. 21 is a self-care workshop from entrepreneur April Ashe. Her line, “UnBottled Expressionz,” combines bath salts and beauty, proving that, if you are relaxed in spirit, you beauty shines through. The artist on hand was Dillon Mitchell, CEO of Art Only LMG, and his line of artistic products, including tees and paintings.

All told, 3rd in the Burg took a leisurely three hours in our tour of art on Verbeke Street. That brings me to the “T.” Time flew in the best sort of way. What we experienced in our investment of that ever-fleeting intangible commodity is something you cannot measure in quantifiable terms. Our night at all three venues was enlightened by rich cultural exchanges, atmospheres completely individual. The hive at Millworks in all its layers of “Art.Food.Brewery” and the venturous vibe at Vivi on Verbeke, completed by culturally committed La Cultura, all add up to “Atmosphere,” “Relationships” and “Time,” immeasurable gifts to be relished. So when the hourglass flips for the next 3rd in the Burg, may I suggest pursuing moments worth remembering?

The next 3rd in the Burg will be held on Friday, Sept. 20, through downtown and Midtown Harrisburg. For more information, visit https://thirdintheburg.org/.

Art Debut: Local photographer, potter demonstrate connections in shared CALC show.

August 12, 2019 | by Bob MacGinnes

Lori Snyder’s “The Maples in Autumn”

There is something incandescent about the last art show of the summer, especially when in a packed house in the upstairs gallery and down in the G.B. Stuart Gallery of Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)

On Friday night, you could hear a pin drop. The galleries were filled with art that brought its own heat. That is “Art” with a capital “A,” when it speaks for itself in hushed tones and whispers. Art that requires no fanfare at all. Its pronouncements are clear as a bell or a bulb, both in photographs and in pottery from two masters of their craft.

Home can mean a different thing to each and every one of us. For some, it is a place to hang your hat. For others, a place to kick back and relax. It can be a haven and even a bit of heaven. Home is a state of mind. Not so much what is on the inside but what awaits in the world outside.

Lori Snyder, philosophical photographer, captures it all in a new, shared exhibit that opened at CALC on Friday and runs through Sept. 21. Showcasing her as a “naturalist” photographer means more than talent due to the surroundings she captures on film. The exhibit is aptly titled “This Place I Call Home.” Her imagery transports the viewer to places reserved for peace and quiet—out in nature, the sight of the master canvas, never the same twice, always surprising.

Snyder does her best in expressing that love for nature in all its simplistic beauty. From obedient orchards to majestic mountains, fertile fields and wild waterways, all add up to indelible images that linger in our collective memory. An open field beckons with just a pair of trees in transition titled, “The Maples in Autumn.” It is the openness of space that frees the mind and the rest of the senses. To imagine the solitude felt in that moment as the light shades the area cascading through the leaves is nothing short of boundless bliss.

Sharing the stage and his love for nature—in the sense of incorporating raw materials sourced locally for his wood-fired stoneware—is potter Kurt Brantner.

Brantner’s path to pottery was a circuitous one in that his college studies at Kutztown were in fine art as a painter. However, he chose a road less traveled after taking one pottery class and becoming fascinated with the process, making it a lifelong pursuit. When one looks at the sheer magnitude of some of his larger vessels, it’s hard to fathom the skill it takes to turn clay into such a towering treasure. It is nothing short of gravity-defying art.

Brantner uses an old-world method to create his pottery, one that dates to fifth-century Japan, firing his wares with an anagama kiln. There are a number of variants employed in this labor-intensive process that takes 70 to 80 hours of firing and uses up to five cords of wood sourced from the area. The results are worthy of admiration and appreciation for the art and the artist that brought them to life. Brantner’s subtle style is that of a geologist searching for the right clay and turning it just so and firing it to its glorified end. Some of his best pieces reveal a sheen in the way the glaze elevates a simple pot to a rare thing of beauty. From everyday coffee mugs to collectible earthenware, Brantner’s range defies category, but instead creates art that speaks a language all its own. If you listen closely, a piece may speak to you.

Snyder and Brantner, two Cumberland County artists, are each experts in their own fields. One uses a camera, the other, clay, complementing and completing a circle of continuity. After all, everything in life, to a certain degree, is interrelated as CALC’s Cathy Stone shows with this collection.

We as the human race are all connected to each other on a grand scale. Or at least we should be. Art has the power to change ideologies, to shift the paradigm from fear to friendship. Art connects us in ways unimaginable and in vastly different arenas. The disciplines of art, literature, fashion, music and sports, all unique in their approach, contain unifying elements that can trigger global responses and elevate the soul of mankind to new heights. All one has to do is share from the heart.

“This Place I Call Home” runs through Sept. 21 at Carlisle Arts Learning Center, 38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle. For more information, visit www.carlislearts.org.

Art, Under the Trees: Over 45 years, Mount Gretna Art Show has grown in stature, attendance.

July 31, 2019 | by Hanna Martin

In 1974, three artists were searching for a place to exhibit their latest creations.

After some thought, they decided to display their work in their local, fairytale-like Mount Gretna forest. They shared the news about the exhibit with friends and family members, so, when the show date finally came, they only expected a few familiar faces. The artists were shocked to see hundreds of people show up to the serene borough in Lebanon County.

“It sounds just like Woodstock—they had no idea that so many people would show up,” said Linda Bell, the previous director of the show. “Then the Pennsylvania Chautauqua, which is a cultural organization, took over the art show, and it has grown.”

Today, the 45th annual Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show, held each August, has grown to host 260 artists from around the state and the country. The show also now includes live entertainment, gourmet food vendors and a kids’ art show.

“It is a national show tucked into our little mountain community,” said current director Kerry Royer.

Artists will display and sell handmade artwork in 16 categories, including two- and three-dimensional forms such as pottery, printmaking, wood and painting. As part of the juried show, judges will rank the art within the various categories. However, it’s not easy to snag a spot, as the judges select only a handful of applicants to participate.

Potter Pam Cummings, who will participate for her 21st straight year, said that Mount Gretna is one of her favorite shows and that she’s grateful and surprised that she’s gotten a spot for the past two decades.

“It’s put on by a group of volunteers who really appreciate and support the arts,” Cummings said. “They’re really friendly to us during the show, but they also promote the arts throughout the year and in doing that, they really reach a wide audience of craft and art appreciators.”

One of the original artists, Frederick Swarr, has participated consecutively for the past 14 years. He does acrylic mixed media pieces, painting famous musicians over their sheet music. Swarr, a retired art teacher and designer, said that the show has grown significantly since its 1974 debut.

“The first year, they had a couple pieces of snow fence that they put in the ground, and you pulled up with your stuff in your car and hung your artwork on the snow fence,” he said. “It’s really evolved nicely over the years.”

This year’s food lineup includes six gourmet food vendors and local restaurants, including the Hershey Pantry, Porch and Pantry and the Jigger Shop. New this year in the Hall of Philosophy is Mount Gretna Craft Brewery, which will provide a glimpse into the artistry of food with demonstrations on the making of craft beer, and Red Canoe General Store coffee.

Seven bands and artists will hold stage performances. New this year is the Mountain Road Band, which will perform in the Mount Gretna Playhouse. Other performers include Don Johnson, the Carmitchell Sisters and the Jayplayers.

Additionally, two street performers will be at the show, including Trist’N Shout Balloons, a mother-daughter balloon-artist duo that has performed at the White House three times.

The Kids’ Art Show will be held both days of the show on the Chautauqua playground. It will include face painters, a magician, caricature artists and a craft stand. Joyful Vibrations of York will lead drum circles for the kids.

“We’re really proud of the Kids’ Art Show,” Royer said. “The purpose of the Chautauqua is to promote the arts, and so this is an opportunity for children to get involved. They can create their art and sell it at their own vendor stand.”

The show also features an emerging artists section, in which the judges select 10 applicants to receive a space in the show free of charge.

“These artists range from somebody just out of art school who’s thinking about being an exhibiting artist to a senior citizen who’s now retired, and they would like to get into art,” Bell said.

Proceeds from admissions will be used to fund other Mount Gretna community programs and cultural events, many of which are free of charge.

In addition to the art and entertainment, attendees also come to the show to enjoy the scenery.

“It’s a beautiful setting,” Cummings said. “A lot of it is under trees, and it’s really a magical little gem of a place. So, people get inspired.”

Bell, who was the director of the show for 20 years before Royer took over, said that she is excited to see the show grow each year.

“It’s a way for us to promote the arts,” she said. “We’ve changed by getting food that’s actually worth coming here for, more entertainment, more things for children. We’ve just expanded everything.”

The 45th annual Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show runs Saturday, Aug. 17, and Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Chautauqua section of Mount Gretna. Admission is $12 for adults and free of charge for children under 12. There’s a $2 discount with an Art Show postcard. For more information, visit www.mtgretnaarts.com.

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