WORK IN PROGRESS – please check back for updates.
Make plans to join us at the 57th Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, July 13-16, 2023 with Children and Youth Day July 12.
To hear the latest Festival news about our plans, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and/or join our mailing list.
Our Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition is the perfect place for shopping while you support independent artist-entrepreneurs across the country. Who needs a big box store or website named after a river when you have so much cool stuff at your fingertips? Whether you’re looking for a work of art, piece of jewelry, housewares, or all of the above, our artists have something for you. You’ll find some of the country’s most talented artists in a wide variety of media from ceramics to wood. Are you trying to find one an artist you bought something from–but whose name you’re forgotten? Reach out to us, we’re usually able to identify look at the work and connect you to the artist.
The Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition is open from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 13 through Saturday, July 15, and 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 16.
We present a wide variety of performances on both outdoor and indoor stages. Is there anything better than spending a lazy July evening on Old Main Lawn or in Sidney Friedman Park listening to some great music? Or do you prefer the high energy of the Allen Street Stage? Or is beating the heat in the air-conditioned comfort of The State Theatre more your style? From bluegrass to rock to jazz to gospel, there will be a show you’ll like at this summer’s Festival.
Performances start at 11:30 a.m. and continue through 11:00 p.m. Thursday, July 13, through Saturday, July 15. Our final show starts on Sunday, July 16 at 3:00 p.m.
Images 2023 is our gallery exhibition—a great venue for both emerging and established artists. The show is open to Pennsylvania artists working in the following categories: drawing, painting, mixed media, photography, hand-pulled prints, watercolor, fiber, paper, and digital art. Digital images of original work produced within the last three years may be submitted. Adults and enrolled students from ages 16 through 26 are encouraged to apply. This year’s exhibition will hang in Schlow Centre Region Library. The call for entries for Images 2023 will be available in Spring 2023.
Image: From Smilko to Smock, Diane Paroda, State College, PA, from Images 2021
The Children and Youth Sidewalk sale is a great way to open the Festival. It’s a chance for boys and girls to develop both their artistic and entrepreneurial potential by giving them the opportunity to sell original work that they have made. Artists aged 8 through 18 who live in, or have relatives in the following counties – Blair, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Huntingdon, Mifflin and Union – are eligible to participate. A full listing of rules is found in the application.
The Children and Youth Sidewalk Sale is Wednesday, July 12 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The application will be available in February 2023.
The banner Exhibition and Competition is one of the signature events of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. In fact, banners were a part of the very first Festival in 1967! During the Festival, banners hang over South Allen Street, bringing color and movement to the already joyous atmosphere. In the off season, we hang banners in public buildings like the State College Municipal Building and Schlow Centre Region Library. Banners can be made by individuals or groups. Making a banner is a great way to celebrate a milestone of a community organization.
The deadline to submit a banner will be Friday, June 23, 2023.
Get a Festival poster and buy Festival wristbands, t-shirts and other merchandise at the corner of College and Allen – or visit our online store.
We’re grateful to all the individuals, businesses, and organizations who support the Arts Festival each year.
More sponsors, as well as individual and other donors are always welcome. We could use your support now more than ever!
