Art for Everyone by Everyone

“Art for Everyone.” In Lancaster, this phrase is much more than a catchy slogan. It’s life. Wonderful art-filled life around every corner, on most every block. With performance venues and galleries throughout the city, an array of public artwork, and a variety of art in many businesses, it’s evident that Lancastrians have a heart for art.

With a creative soul, Lancaster not only has a passion to showcase the arts, but it also works to engage the community by offering avenues for arts creation and promoting creative activities for everyone.

As Lancaster prepares for the annual fall Art Walk October 6-7 and the upcoming Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Pennsylvania October 26, the following community-wide art events are designed to encourage creativity, collaboration, and integration.

Untitled Lancaster: a community art exhibit 

October 6 – 28

Levengood’s of Lancaster

Untitled Lancaster is a community art exhibition made up of 100+  10″ x 10″ panels designed by local artists, with a portion of the proceeds supporting the city’s public arts program. Sunshine Art+Design in collaboration with Levengood’s is hosting the opening October 6, noon – 10:00 PM.

Last year, I attended my first Untitled Lancaster exhibit and was amazed. Amazed by 162 entries, by the creativity, and by the artful display! Amazed by a program that captures the spirit of art for everyone by everyone in small 10″ x 10″ panels stretching along gallery walls. Opening night was incredible as everyone from budding preschool artists to professional artists stood side-by-side, all proud of the gallery display showcasing their works. Inspired by the creativity and impressed by the level of community involvement, one thought kept running through my mind:  “Maybe, I’ll participate next year.”  Public confession time: Regretfully, I didn’t participate this year. Public goal time: I’m definitely going to participate next year!

Parade on the Arts: a free community event

October 22

Beginning at Clipper Magazine Stadium

Traveling south on Prince, east on King, north on Queen, west on Clay

This parade to celebrate the arts is for everyone by everyone: students, neighborhoods, businesses, music & performing arts groups, and community groups — all expressing themselves through art.

I love parades! I love the arts! I love downtown Lancaster! A parade celebrating the arts in the heart of downtown Lancaster is like a wish come true for me. As a recent transplant to Lancaster, I’ve been a bit envious each time I’ve read about parades in nearby towns. I enjoy attending parades anywhere and everywhere, but a parade in one’s own community is the best. Parades are joy-inducing, music-filled celebrations uniting the community, where everyone is encouraged to join in the fun either actively as a parade-participant with one of many groups or by being a part of the crowd lining the streets, anxiously looking for familiar faces or favorite entries. With music and dancing, parades are like parties slowly progressing through the streets to the delight of young and old. Thanks, Lancaster, for planning the Parade on the Arts . . . and now it’s time for me to scout out my perfect viewing location.

Chalk the Block: a community mural creation

October 25 

Prince Street Pop-up Park, 1-4:00 PM

Join Friendship Heart Gallery for its first annual Chalk the Block fundraiser celebrating community and arts engagement. Participants will chalk a portion of a gridded image, collectively creating a temporary ~30′ x 150′ chalk mural. Music, snacks, and chalk provided. Sign up at Friendship Heart Gallery or on eventbrite.com.

When I first heard about this event, I signed up immediately. Not because I have immense artistic talents. I don’t. Not because I’ll be the best there. I won’t. Very simply, I enjoy being creative and participating in fun, community events. I’ve always admired the artistic talent of those who create detailed chalk masterpieces on city sidewalks, and I frequently observe neighborhood children in their joyful delight of chalk drawing, so now it’s my turn! I’m confident that upon completion, this chalk mural project will show that through the combined effort of a diverse group of people with a wide range of talents, a creative, unique, wonderful work of art will evolve. Fortunately, the progress and final product will be captured by drone so this community-created mural can be enjoyed by everyone.

Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Pennsylvania Ceremony

October 26, 7-9:00 PM 

Lancaster County Convention Center 

This ceremony, free and open to the public, celebrates the winners of the 2017 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Pennsylvania. For the first time in the 37-year history of this award, Lancaster city has been selected to host the ceremony. Make plans to attend this memorable event which will include performances from Pennsylvania artists. Register online at visitlancastercity.com.