Press Releases

CPFA’s Executive Director, Pamela Snyder Etters, is happy to answer questions about press releases. Please give us a call at 814-237-3682 or complete the inquiry form here and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

You can access our media kit, which includes downloadable versions of our logo, a brief overview of the organization, and other relevant information, here.

2023 Press Releases

March 30, 2023

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts has issued the Call for Entries for its Children and Youth Sidewalk Sale, a signature event of the Children’s Day Activities of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.

The 2023 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts will be from July 12 through July 16 on the streets of State College and on the adjacent campus of Penn State University. The Children and Youth Sidewalk Sale will be held on South Allen Street, on Children and Youth Day, Wednesday, July 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Children and Youth Sidewalk Sale is a fun way for children to sell original artwork that they have made and perhaps earn some money in the process.

Children from ages 8 to 18 who live in, or who have relatives in Centre, Blair, Clearfield, Clinton, Huntingdon, Mifflin or Union are eligible to participate in the Children’s Sidewalk Sale. The Children and Youth Sidewalk Sale is subject to very simple rules. For example, each artist must make his or her own work. Items made from kits are not permitted.

The application postmark deadline is June 23, 2023. Applications postmarked after that date will not be considered. Applications may be delivered to the Arts Festival offices at 403 South Allen Street, Suite 205A, State College until 5:00 PM on Friday, June 23, 2023. There is a $25.00 entry fee.

Applications may now be downloaded at arts-festival.com/children-and-youth

The Festival receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The Children and Youth Sidewalk Sale is sponsored by the Penn State Federal Credit Union, pennstatefederal.com.

The mission of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is to celebrate the arts with presentations of diverse, high-quality visual and performing arts through the cooperative volunteer support of the community and The Pennsylvania State University. The essence of this organization is the enrichment and education of the audience, grounded in personal interaction between artist and audience.

March 27, 2023

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts has issued the Call for Entries for its annual banner competition, one of the signature events of the Festival.

Both individuals and groups may submit entries, which typically hang between 15 and 20 feet over the street. The design must be visible from both sides of the banner (identical or different). All components of the banner design and construction must be securely attached, or the banner will not be displayed. Banners with religious, partisan, or commercial messages will not be accepted. The Arts Festival encourages local non-profit organizations to create banners celebrating their organization.

The members of the banner jury will be announced at a later date. The jurors will award prizes in three categories: professional, general, and youth.

Banners entered in the competition must be delivered to the office of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts by 5:00 p.m., June 23, 2023.

More information may be found online at https://arts-festival.com/banners.

The 57th Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts will take place in downtown State Collage and the adjacent University Park Campus of Penn State from July 12 through July 16.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

February 17, 2023

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts has issued the Call for Entries for its popular juried fine art exhibition, Images 2023. The exhibition runs from July 1 – 31, 2023 at the Schlow Centre Region Library in downtown State College, Pennsylvania.

Images 2023 is open to artists 16 and older whose primary residence is in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Eligible 2D media include drawings, paintings, pastels, mixed media, photography, hand-pulled prints, watercolors, fiber, paper, and digital art. Digital images of original work produced after January 1, 2020 may be submitted. The entry deadline is May 6.

Watercolor artist James Farrah is the exhibition’s juror for selection and prizes. He holds signature memberships in the American Watercolor Society, the National Watercolor Society, and the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies, among others. He also works in oils and acrylics. His works are held in the permanent collections of the Tucson Art Museum, the National Sports Museum, and the New Mexico Folk Art Museum, and more. James was a member of the 2022 jury team for the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts’ Sidewalk Sale & Exhibition. He currently teaches from his Bellefonte home.

A total of $1,800 in cash prizes will be awarded by the juror as follows: Best of Show ($500), Best Drawing ($200), Best Pastel ($200), Best Photograph ($200), and 4 merit awards ($150 each). There is also an award for Best Student Submission ($100). Winners will be announced at an Awards Reception during the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts on July 13, 2023.

The application and more detailed information may be found online at https://arts-festival.com/images-exhibition-gallery. That’s also where you can find a link to last year’s Images 2022 online gallery.

Welcome In, a watercolor by Anni Matsick, was awarded the Images 2022 Best of Show, sponsored by State College Framing Company & Gallery.

“I’ve entered Images in its various locations for many years and have assisted in receiving entries and hanging, said Anni Matsick. It’s always exciting to unpack and see the pieces sent from around the state, as well as the works brought in-person. I can’t say that I ever expected to win Best of Show but was certainly thrilled to hear my name announced last year! With a different juror each year and a chance to enter as many as nine of your works, it’s an exceptional opportunity for artists.”

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts looks forward to showcasing the talent and creativity of Pennsylvania’s artists and encourages all to apply.

The Images 2023 exhibition is just one facet of the 57^th Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which will be held July 12 through July 16, 2023. Watch for more information at https://arts-festival.com/.

The Arts Festival receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and additional grant support from the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Centre County Commissioners.

February 7, 2023

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is pleased to introduce Pamela Snyder Etters as the organization’s new Executive Director starting February 10.

“On behalf of the entire Board and the hundreds of volunteers who support the Arts Festival, we are excited and ready to assist Pam as she leads our great staff towards a bright future and new ideas for our beloved festival. With her expertise, I am confident Pam will build on the impressive legacy of former Executive Director Rick Bryant,” says Carolyn Donaldson, President of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts Board of Directors.

Pam comes to Centre County from neighboring Blair County, where she has served as the Executive Director of Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania for the past two years. Prior to that she was the Executive Director of the Altoona Symphony Orchestra for nearly nine years. Gains in organizational and financial management were key results of Pam’s tenure with these organizations.

As an artist herself, Pam combines her experience in arts-related nonprofit leadership with her belief in the arts as a platform for youth empowerment and social connection. She is the founder and lead muralist within the Murals Talk Foundation—a program that uses mural construction to build bridges over cultural, social, and economic gaps for youth.

Pam is also the head women’s soccer coach at the Altoona campus of the Pennsylvania State University and involved in several Altoona community and cultural associations, such as Arts Altoona, the City of Altoona Beautification Committee, Explore Altoona, and the Blair 9/11 Committee.

“There are no words to adequately express the amount of enthusiasm with which I enter my new role as Executive Director with the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, says Pamela Snyder Etters. Rick Bryant has left me some big shoes to fill, but I am excited to work with the staff and board to uphold the strong traditions of the festival while navigating the need to adapt to modern societal preferences.”

Founded in 1967 by the State College Chamber of Commerce and Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts attracts approximately 100,000 visitors each summer. In addition to the nationally recognized Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition the Festival features a juried gallery exhibition, Children and Youth Day, street painting, and music, dance, and theatrical performances on both outdoor and indoor stages.

The 2023 Festival will open on July 12, 2023, with Children and Youth Day. The Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition will open on Thursday, July 13 and continue through Sunday, July 16.

In addition to its namesake summer Festival, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts produces First Night State College, a family-friendly celebration of the New Year’s holiday held in downtown State College on December 31. First Night features a large display of ice sculpture, musical and theatrical performances, resolution sculptures, and a 5K resolution run.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and additional grant support from the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Centre County Commissioners.

2022 Press Releases

First Night State College will once again provide central Pennsylvania with a great way to mark the passing of the old year and the ringing in of the New Year. This alcohol-free community celebration of the visual and performing arts will take place in downtown State College on December 31, 2022.

A production of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, 2023 First Night State College is a creative and healthy New Year’s celebration meant to replace watching television and alcohol-fueled New Year’s Eve revelry. First Night is an old-fashioned community celebration where all are welcome; young and old, singles and families, townsfolk and visitors.

2023 First Night State College will feature a display of outdoor ice carving, including large sculptures located in the 100 block of South Allen Street, while the ever-popular PNC Bank Ice Slide will be in Sidney Friedman Park. At the end of the event, the First Night State College ice carving team will have carved over 30,000 pounds of ice! Watch these carvings evolve from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. This year, the First Night State College ice carvers will create a wide array of giant ice displays that showcase their artistry.

Displays of smaller, one-block ice sculptures will take place in front of local sponsoring businesses and on the Mayor Welch Plaza at 243 South Allen Street, as well as in Sidney Friedman Park. There will be more than 80 of these sculptures this year. Ice will be on display commencing on the morning of December 31.

First Night State College will present three variety acts this year:

Robert Mac is a comedian and “motivational humorist” from Washington DC, a city that has a desperate need for humor. He’s best known as the Grand Prize Winner of Comedy Central’s national Laugh Riots competition and for his appearances on NBC’s Last Comic Standing. Mac has been seen on the stages of the inaugural Great American Comedy Festival, the Boston Comedy Festival, Montreal’s Just for Laughs Festival, and other highly acclaimed events throughout the country. He performs in the Penn State Downtown Theatre at 4:30, 7:00, and 9:00 p.m.

From a high school start in 1984 with juggling and unicycling, through a University of Delaware finance degree, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus Clown College, street performing in Europe and a year in the circus, Michael Rosman has become one of the most respected and sought after performers from the east coast. A comedy and juggling sensation, Michael is a two-time winner of the prestigious Maryland State Individual Artist Grant Award for excellence in the arts. He makes a return visit to First Night, performing at The State Theatre at 3:30, 7:30 and 10:00 p.m.

Alan Sands began traveling with his father, magician George Sands, when he was three years old. He won his first talent contest at the age of 12, and he began performing professionally at 17. In the years since, he has performed at colleges and universities all over the country. You’ll see right away that there’s so much more to his show than a swinging pocket watch and the chant “You are getting sleepy….” The comment most often heard after an Alan Sands show is “I laughed so hard it hurt”! Imagine the possibilities for entertainment, education, and good old fashioned First Night fun with this energetic and original performer. He’ll be at the State College Municipal Building Community Room at 5:00, 7:00, and 9:30 p.m.

There is something for every musical taste at First Night State College. Cabaret standouts Natascha and the Spy Boys will perform at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 7:00 p.m. Perennial favorite Jon Rounds performs with the Guitar Brothers at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 8:30 p.m. Jazz bassist Joshua Davis performs with his band Love Salad at State College Presbyterian Church at 10:00pm. More information on these performances and the entire First Night lineup can be found at firstnightstatecollege.com.

Join local trivia mavens John Briggs and Karen Bettleyon in First Night State College’s inaugural Trivia Night at 3 Dots Downtown at 7:00 p.m. John and Karen will test the audience’s knowledge of the mundane and arcane as teams vie to win prizes.

Resolution sculptures are located in the lobby of the State College Municipal Building, in Sidney Friedman Park, and on the 100 block of South Allen Street. These installations are meant to provoke wistful recollection of former resolutions and optimistic dreaming about new ones.

This year there is no ice skating at Pegula Arena this year due to Penn State’s home hockey schedule. First Night fans who wear their button to the Pegula Arena box office will be eligible for a $10 discount when they purchase tickets to the day’s men’s game vs RIT and the women’s game vs. Long Island University. Since there is no skating, there is no CATA shuttle to Pegula Arena.

Runners and fast walkers can speed into the New Year in the First Night State College 5K Resolution Run, sponsored by Mount Nittany Health and co-presented with the Nittany Valley Running Club. The run starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Corner of College Avenue and Allen Street and is one of the most popular events of First Night State College. We encourage participants (and spectators) to wear costumes for this bracing trip through downtown State College and the Penn State campus. The Brass Rats, an ensemble of State College Area High School brass players will provide musical entertainment before the start of the race. More information is available online at firstnightstatecollege.com/resolution-run

Those wanting a more theatrical trip through downtown can join in our Grand Procession. Participants bring to life a menagerie of large and small papier mache fantastic creatures or join in the fun playing one of our African drums. Procession participants will pick up puppets and drums in St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 208 West Foster Avenue before gathering in the Dr. Martin Luther King Plaza to start the procession. The procession will proceed up Fraser Street to College Avenue beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Carriage rides will be offered beginning at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in front of the State College Municipal Building. The cost is a First Night button and $5 per person. Rides are on a first-come, first-served basis.

First Night presents arts and crafts workshops in the Social Hall of State College Presbyterian Church, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. For those who like to be reminded of their resolution throughout the year as they drink their morning coffee, First Night presents The Resolution Mug at 2000 Degrees, 202 W. College Avenue. 2000 Degrees provides almost everything needed to immortalize a New Year’s resolution in ceramics. Audience members provide the missing piece–the creativity! Stop at 2000 Degrees on December 31 and pick a time for your visit. Admission is a First Night button plus $7.00.

The official warm up station of First Night State College is in the Woskob Family Gallery, 146 S. Allen St., State College. It will be staffed with friendly volunteers who can answer all your First Night questions from 1:30 to 8:30 p.m. on December 31.

Admission to all indoor performances is with the 2023 First Night State College button. Buttons are $10 and can be purchased at the door of events and select downtown businesses. When accompanied by an adult, children 12 and under are free. First Night State College button retail outlets include: 3 Dots Downtown, 2000 Degrees, Appalachian Outdoors, Blue Brick Theatre, Borough of State College Finance Office, The Corner Room, Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, Otto’s Pub and Brewery, Penn State Federal Credit Union, Schlow Centre Region Library, State College Framing Company and Galley, UPS Store (Colonnade Way), and The Original Waffle Shop (North Atherton and West College). Buttons are available in Bellefonte at Art a la Carte and the Penn State Federal Credit Union.

First Night relies on volunteers to staff performance venues on December 31. Volunteers should be at least 18 years of age or 16 when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Those interested in volunteering should contact the First Night office by telephone at (814) 237-3682 or by email at office@arts-festival.com.

The official website of First Night State College is firstnightstatecollege.com. The 2023 First Night State College Official Program Guide, published by Barash Media is available as an insert in Town & Gown magazine.

First Night State College is produced by the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts and is sponsored in part by the Borough of State College with grant support from the Centre County Commissioners and Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

Registration for the annual First Night State College 5K Resolution Run is now open. The run takes place on December 31, 2022 at 6:30 pm as part of State College’s annual First Night celebration.

The 2023 First Night 5K Resolution Run is a joint production of First Night and the Nittany Valley Running Club. It is sponsored by Mount Nittany Health with additional sponsorship from Centre Elite Gymnastics.

The event is not only open to runners to but to those who enjoy a brisk (or not so brisk) walk as well. First Night State College urges participants to amp up the fun by wearing costumes.

The event starts at the corner of Allen Street and College Avenue and takes runners through the Penn State campus before ending at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on East College Avenue.

Awards will be given to runners with the best times in addition to an award for the runner or group of runners with the best costume.

Full details and registration can be found at https://firstnightstatecollege.com/resolution-run/

A production of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, First Night State College is a creative and healthy New Year’s celebration meant to bring the community together. Audience members can enjoy ice carving, live music and comedy performances, and other events in lieu of unhealthy alcohol-fueled New Year’s Eve revelry. First Night is an old-fashioned community celebration where all are welcome; young and old, singles and families, townsfolk and visitors.

First Night State College is sponsored in part by the Borough of State College with additional support from Mount Nittany Health, the Centre Foundation, and the Centre County Commissioners and Happy Valley Adventure Bureau.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is now accepting applications in its third annual holiday decorations contest, “Puttin’ on the Glitz”. This year’s contest will take place in conjunction with First Night State College.

Any residential property in Centre County is eligible: single family homes, duplexes, even apartment balconies. The decorations must be visible from the street or sidewalk. Groups of homes are also eligible, if the properties adjoin. The entry fee is $5 for a single home and $20 for a group of homes. The entry deadline is December 9, 2022.

A panel of four judges will select the contest winners. They will visit the entries separately and will meet online to select the winners and award prizes. The judges are:

Terra Ingram, Administrative Manager, Institute of Sustainable Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science, Bellefonte
Bettie Miller, Educational Coach, Snyder, Union, Mifflin Child Development, Coburn
Kim Tierney, Psychologist, Mifflin County Schools, State College
James Tierney, Manager, Happy Valley Improv, State College

The judges will award prizes in two categories—for traditional and contemporary decorations. In addition to winners, runners up, and honorable mentions, the judges, at their discretion, will award prizes for Best Use of Color, Best Use of Technology, Best Use of Traditional Materials, and Overall “Wow” Factor. The top prize in each category will be $100.

“We started this contest as a coping mechanism when we lived in a socially distanced world. We’ve kept doing it because it’s just plain fun” noted Festival director Rick Bryant.

Full details of the event can be found at: https://www.arts-festival.com/holiday-lights

First Night State College, produced by the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, returns to downtown State College on December 31.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Additional funding is provided through a grant made by possible by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and the Centre County Commissioners.

Rick Bryant, the executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts has announced that he’s retiring from the organization at the end of January 2023.

“I love my job but now it’s time to let someone else run the show” he said. “We have a great team of paid staff and volunteers, so there’s a firm foundation for my successor to build upon.”

Bryant joined the Festival’s paid staff in 1999 and became its executive director in 2005. His first volunteered for the Festival in the mid-1980s, serving on the Festival’s trash crew.

“Rick has been the driving force, the connector, and the person at the helm of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts and First Night for 18 years”, said Renata Engel, President of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts Board of Directors. She added, “the joy, music, and art that he has brought to this community have been mainstays and a point of pride. We are grateful for his commitment and the foundation he established on which we will continue to build.”

The Festival’s Board of Directors will undertake a national search for Bryant’s successor and plans to have him or her in place this winter.

Details about the search can be found here.

Founded in 1967 by the State College Chamber of Commerce and Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture, the Festival attracts approximately 100,000 visitors each summer. In addition to the nationally recognized Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition the Festival features a juried gallery exhibition, Children and Youth Day, street painting, and music, dance, and theatrical performances on both outdoor and indoor stages.

The 2023 Festival will open on July 12, 2023, with Children and Youth Day. The Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition will open on Thursday, July 13 and continue through Sunday, July 16.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts announced the award winners in its 2022 Banner Competition at its annual award ceremony on the Festival’s Allen Street stage on Saturday, July 16 at 9:00 a.m.

Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts Executive Director Rick Bryant made the presentations assisted by Festival Board President Renata Engel, and Joleen Hindman, representing the First Energy Foundation, sponsor of the Banner Competition.

In the professional class, Joanie Eyster of State College took first place for her acrylic paint work, Welcome Back! Marty Edmunds of Boalsburg took the second spot for her rainwear fabric applique with vinyl banner, Neon Rhythms from the Jester’s Flute.

In the general class, Ginny Cooper of Ocean View, NJ made the winning banner, Arts Festival Blooms Again. Donna Queeney of State College received second place honors for her banner Up, Up, and Away!

The youth class winner was Gabrielle Graves of Clearfield for her banner Beautiful Reflection.

This year’s banner judges were Laura Robinson and Cindy Schultz of State College. The event is chaired by Lisa Zander-Campbell of Centre Hall.

The Banner Competition is one of the signature events of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. Both individuals and groups may submit entries. The Festival hangs this year’s banners and those from its collection over South Allen Street, adding color and movement to the festive atmosphere. This year, in addition to the banners hanging over South Allen Street, the Festival hung banners in the State College Municipal Building and the HUB/Robeson Center on Penn State’s campus.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts regrets to announce that the performance by the internationally acclaimed Raleigh Ringers handbell choir scheduled for July 16 at 7:30 p.m. has been cancelled due to a COVID outbreak in the group.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is still seeking volunteers to work at next week’s 56th Arts Festival.

“We’re a little short this year, noted Rick Bryant, the Festival’s Executive Director. “I’m sure if it’s because we haven’t had an in-person festival in two years, or we’re part of the post Covid ‘where did everyone gone phenomenon?’“

The Festival is looking for people to volunteer in the following roles:

Sidewalk Sale Ambassadors:
Sidewalk Sale Ambassadors are the link between the Festival organization and the 300 exhibiting artists in the Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition. Ambassadors booth sit while artists take breaks, answer basic questions about the Festival and the area, and provide other assistance to artists. Ambassador shifts are two to three hours long. Volunteering as an ambassador requires a significant amount of walking, so an average degree of physical fitness is required. Ambassadors should have proficiency in English and be at least 18 years old.

Wristband Checkers:
Wristband checkers work at our indoor performance sites checking that patrons are wearing an admission wristband, and to sell them to audience members who still need one. Shifts start in the early evening and are about an hour long. All performance venues are air conditioned.

Green Crew:
“The Proud, The Few, The Green Crew” helps keep the Festival zone clean and empties trash, recycling, and compost receptacles. This activity is perfect for a group—such as a civic club, church group, or sports team.

“It’s an outstanding team building activity and great fun” according to Bryant. “I’ve done it with a group of friends for years and we have a great time.” The position requires a significant amount of walking, and some lifting. Green crew members must wear sneakers or work shoes/boots. The Festival provides gloves, and an official Green Crew T-shirts… and all the trash or recycling you can pick up.

To volunteer, please sign up at https://arts-festival.com/volunteer or email the Festival office at office@arts-festival.com

All volunteers will receive a volunteer tee shirt, a bottle of water, and are eligible to park for free in the West Parking Deck on the Penn State campus.

After a hiatus of two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts returns to the streets of downtown State College and the adjacent Penn State campus as an in person event from July 13 to July 17.

Founded by the State College Chamber of Commerce and Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture, the Festival attracts approximately 125,000 visitors each summer. The Festival features the nationally recognized Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition, a juried gallery exhibition, Children and Youth Day, Street Painting, educational opportunities, music, dance and theatrical performances in a variety of outdoor and indoor venues.

The 56th Arts Festival commences with Children and Youth Day sponsored by Penn State Health on Wednesday, July 13, which features programs and events designed especially for the young and young at heart. From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. the Children & Youth Sidewalk Sale, sponsored by Penn State Federal Credit Union, will be held on South Allen Street. More than 250 young artists are expected to showcase their original works.

Other Children and Youth Day activities include free arts and crafts activities on Penn State’s Old Main Lawn and in State College’s Sidney Friedman Park. Musical and dance performances tailored to the young will take place on two stages thanks to local student ensembles and performing arts schools. However, for some, the highlight of the day will come at 4:00 p.m. with the 2022 Centre Daily Times Children and Youth Day Grand Procession. Over 100 children (accompanied by some parents) will carry small, medium and large papier-mâché puppets, masks and drums. The procession will begin on the Old Main Lawn and travel through downtown State College as it makes its way to Sidney Friedman Park.

The Pat Farrell Community Sing Along will be on Wednesday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the State College Presbyterian Church. This year’s event will be under the direction of Gary Brubaker and Jim Kerhin otherwise known as Picker and Papa, with special guests The Orpheus Singers. Formed in May 2012 by Dr. Christopher Kiver, the Orpheus Singers is an auditioned chamber choir comprising community members and students at Penn State University. It will be a fun evening of traditional songs, folk melodies, camp songs, and perhaps a Broadway number or two.

On Thursday, July 14, at 10:00 a.m. the award-winning Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition will open. Sidewalk Sale hours are 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. The works of more than 300 exhibitors comprise one of the nation’s best juried fine art and craft shows. A panel of four jurors will award over $17,500 in prize money to winning exhibitors during a ceremony at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 16, at the Allen Street Stage.

The 2022 Street Painting exhibition recognizes the cross-border popularity of street painting among Italy, England, and Germany. A variety of local visual artists will create 6-foot by 4-foot paintings on Foster Avenue at South Allen Street. For a $5 fee, Young Artists Alley, sponsored by Sheetz, gives children the opportunity to create a 14”x 14” square street painting. Painting ends at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and 4 p.m. on Sunday, weather permitting.

The public is invited to celebrate the 56th Festival by purchasing tickets to the Festive Spirits benefit party, which will be held at The Towers, 403 South Allen Street, on Friday, July 15, at 5:00 p.m. Bellefonte’s Big Spring Spirits will provide locally sourced spirits, with hors d’oeuvres by Catering with Style. The Festive Spirits Party is made possible by the support of Invested Advisors, Big Spring Spirits, Higher Ed Jobs, Fulton Bank, RE/MAX Centre Realty-Tom Cali, Tracy Wagner & McKenzie Millward, Investment Research Partners, The Hartman Group, Shy Bear Brewing, Avant Garden, Continental Real Estate, and JR Mangan. Tickets to the party can be purchased by calling the Arts Festival office or by visiting arts-festival.com/festive-spirits-party.

An annual favorite, the CPFA Silent Auction, will be returning again this year. The 2022 Silent Auction will be in its traditional spot on the 100 block of South Allen Street. The Silent Auction opens on Thursday, July 14 at noon. It is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Sunday hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It’s a great place to see a sampling of all the great fine art and craft in the Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition. Proceeds of the Silent Auction help to defray the costs of the Festival.

The Festival’s fine art exhibition, Images 2022 hangs in Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 S. Allen Street during the month of July. Images 2022 is open to artists whose primary residence is in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Artists entered the show by submitting digital images of work created in the last three years. The works in Images have been selected by jurors Steve Getz and Carol Ann Simon Cillo of the Clinton County Arts Council in Lock Haven.

Schlow Library’s BookFestPA 2022: Comics to Cozies will take place on Saturday, July 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the in the library’s parking lot as a celebration of the story as art for all ages. Diehard fans of mystery, romance, science fiction, fantasy, comics, children’s fiction & poetry will all find something to like. Meet authors and artists who work for large publishing houses, as well as independents who forge their own path. Stop by the authors’ tents to meet returning favorites as well as authors visiting for the first time!

Performances at the Allen Street Stage open on Thursday, July 14 with a set by The Quasi Quintet. The Quasi Quintet is a local young jazz band featuring some of State High’s best and brightest up and coming musicians. Their repertoire features jazz standards and their own original jazz compositions. Featuring Lake Black, the Hallacher brothers, Elijah Snyder, and Nick Letwin, with vocalist Nora Goudie. The band is making its Festival debut.

For over 25 years, The Kinsey Sicks have served up a feast of music and comedy to audiences throughout the US and internationally! Their phenomenal performance record includes an Off-Broadway show, an extended run in Vegas, two feature films and three concert DVDs, ten albums, and appearances in Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia. The Kinsey Sicks’ award-winning a cappella singing, sharp political satire, and over-the-top drag have earned them a diverse and devoted following. The Kinsey Sicks performs at The State Theatre, 130 West College Avenue at 8:30 p.m., Thursday, July 14. Tickets are $29.00

Simply put: The Rhythm Future Quartet will knock your socks off. Anointed as successors to the legacy of the great Django Reinhardt by The Wall Street Journal, the acoustic jazz ensemble, Rhythm Future Quartet has a straightforward agenda: to keep the spirit of Gypsy jazz alive and expanding. The virtuosic foursome is led by violinist Jason Anick and guitarist Olli Soikkeli. The band performs at The State Theatre, 130 West College Avenue, Friday, July 15, at 8:00 p.m. CPFA Performance Wristband Required

Happy Valley Improv is State College’s premier longform improv company, bringing the art of improvisation to Centre County through performances, classes, workshops, and community outreach. Started by four improvisers in the basement of a church in early 2017, the group now consists of seventeen company members performing a variety of improv styles and forms at their new home in Calder Way, The Blue Brick Theatre. Shows are at 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16. Audience members at the 10:00 p.m. shows must be over 21 years old. CPFA Performance Wristband Required

Since moving to New York City from California in 2003, Molly Ryan has become one of the most sought-after vocalists on the New York jazz scene. She has performed at such prestigious Manhattan venues as the Café Carlyle, The Town Hall, The Waldorf Astoria, Rainbow Room and Birdland. She brings her attractive, elegant vocal style to songs originally recorded by singers such as Peggy Lee, Helen Ward, Martha Tilton, and Helen Forrest. Molly’s silvery voice and lush, elegant vocal style evoke the big band singers of the 1930s and breathe new life into familiar old standards.
The Molly Ryan Swingtet perform at the Allen Street Stage, Saturday, July 16, at 1:30 p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m. in Sidney Friedman Park.

The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra is the world’s only year-round, professional ensemble playing the syncopated sounds of early musical theater, silent cinema, and vintage dance. At this year’s Festival, they’ll accompany The Mark of Zorro, a 1920 silent adventure romance film starring Douglas Fairbanks and Noah Beery Sr. This genre-defining swashbuckler adventure was the first movie version of The Mark of Zorro and is based on the 1919 story The Curse of Capistrano by Johnston McCulley, which introduced the masked hero, Zorro.

The film tells the story of Don Diego Vega, the outwardly foppish son of a wealthy ranchero in early 19th century Spanish California. Seeing the mistreatment of the peons by rich landowners and the oppressive government, Don Diego, who is not as effete as he pretends, has taken the identity of the masked Robin Hood-like rogue Señor Zorro (“Mr. Fox”), a champion of the people, who appears out of nowhere to protect them from the corrupt administration of Governor Alvarado and his henchmen. Don’t miss this silent classic at The State Theatre, Saturday, July 16 at 8:00 p.m. CPFA Performance Wristband Required

The Raleigh Ringers is an internationally acclaimed, advanced community handbell choir based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Since its founding in 1990, The Raleigh Ringers has been dazzling concert audiences with unique interpretations of sacred and secular music, including famous rock ‘n’ roll tunes arranged just for handbells. Under the direction of Penn State alum David M. Harris, The Raleigh Ringers has released seven CDs, and two DVDs of holiday concerts. The group has performed in 39 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, the UK, and France during its tours. The group performs at Penn State’s Music Recital Hall, Allen Road, on the Penn State campus, Saturday, July 16 at 8:00 p.m. CPFA Performance Wristband Required

In 1993 jazz musician and Presbyterian pastor Bill Carter formed the Presbybop Quartet with Al Hamme, his college music professor from Binghamton University. With the core lineup of drummer Ron Vincent and bassist Tony Marino, the band has evolved into a consort of musicians who have been turning heads on the musical scene. Based in northeastern Pennsylvania, Bill’s ensemble has presented concerts and jazz worship services in churches and venues around the country. The Presbybop Quartet performs at the State College Presbyterian Church, Saturday, July 16 at 9:00 p.m. CPFA Performance Wristband Required

While most performances are free, some require a festival wristband. Wristbands are $15.00 for adults and are free for children ages twelve and under. They are good for the entire festival, and grant admission on a space available basis to selected indoor events. Wristbands are available at each performance venue, at many locations on the Festival route, and in downtown State College stores.

This year, the Festival has partnered with the Central Pennsylvania Tasting trail, which will present a craft beverage expo in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza, from Thursday, July 14 through Saturday, July 16, from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day. Fifteen Centre County distilleries, wineries, breweries, and cideries are participating. There is a $10 cover charge to enjoy beverage tastings and the opportunity to purchase local craft beverages.

Daily highlights include:

Wednesday, July 13 – Children & Youth Day Sponsored by Penn State Health: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Children’s Activities (Old Main Lawn and Sidney Friedman Park)
Centre Daily Times Children & Youth Day Grand Procession, 4:00 p.m. (Old Main Lawn)
Pat Farrell Community Sing Along, 7:30 p.m. (State College Presbyterian Church) Sponsored by Foxdale Retirement Community
Children and Youth Sidewalk Sale, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Sponsored by Penn State Federal Credit Union.

Thursday, July 14 – Mark DeRose & the Dreadnoughts, 6:30 p.m. (Sidney Friedman Park Stage)
The Kinsey Sicks, 8:30 p.m. (The State Theatre)
BC Blue, 8:30 p.m. (Festival Shell Stage)
Cass and the Bailout Crew, 9:00 p.m. (Allen Street Stage)

Friday, July 15 – Rampart Street Ramblers, 4:00 p.m. (Festival Shell Stage)
Joe Baione Trio, 4:30 p.m. (Sidney Friedman Park Stage)
Ted McCloskey and the Hi-Fi’s, 5:30 p.m. (Allen Street Stage)
Deb Callahan, 6:30 p.m. (Festival Shell Stage)
Essence II Ltd., 8:00 p.m. (State College Presbyterian Church)
Rhythm Future Quartet, 8:00 p.m. (The State Theatre)
The Gill Street Band, 9:30 p.m. (Sidney Friedman Park Stage)

Saturday, July 16 – Sidewalk Sale Award Ceremony, 9:00 a.m. (Allen Street Stage)
Cormorant’s Fancy, 2:30 p.m. (Festival Shell Stage)
Feinberg Brothers, 7:00 p.m. (Festival Shell Stage)
Jon Rounds and Special Guests Glenn Kidder and Randy Hughes, 7:30 p.m. (St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church)
Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet, 9:00 p.m. (State College Presbyterian Church)
Velveeta, 9:30 p.m. (Festival Shell Stage)
My Hero Zero, 9:30 p.m. (Allen Street Stage)

Sunday, July 17 – Altoona Brass Collective, 11:30 a.m. (Sidney Friedman Park Stage)
David Zentner & The Nashville Music Company, 12:30 p.m. (Festival Shell Stage)
Bellefonte Community Band, 2:00 p.m. (Sidney Friedman Park Stage)
RIFF, 2:30 p.m. (Allen Street Stage)

The Nittany Valley Running Club is not presenting the Sue Crowe Memorial Arts Festival Races this year.

We encourage visitors to use Penn State’s West Parking Deck on White Course Drive near the IST Building and use free bus service to get to and from the event.  Parking is $1/hour for the first two hours and $10 for between two and ten hours, cash and credit cards accepted. Free bus service will be available from the West Parking Deck to the center of the Festival at the corner of College Avenue and Allen Street.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is pleased to welcome Penn State Health as the Presenting Sponsor of the Arts Festival’s Children & Youth Day, July 13. “We look forward to Penn State Health’s participation this year”, said Rick Bryant, the Arts Festival’s Executive Director, “and hope that it is just the first of many.”

“We’re very excited to sponsor Children and Youth Day because it’s a natural tie-in to our Family Medicine and Pediatric Specialty Care that we offer here in State College”, said Mike Murray, SR Director of Ambulatory Services, Penn State Health Medical Group. “Many families don’t realize that we offer pediatric cardiology, pediatric orthopaedics, pediatric dermatology, and pediatric surgery post-op and continuation of care right here in our region.”

Each year, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts opens on Wednesday with Children & Youth Day, called “Kids Day” by many. The day is devoted to young artists, young performers, and the young at heart. On Children and Youth Day, the day before the “grown-up” Sidewalk Sale & Exhibition opens, young artists sell original work at the Children and Youth Sidewalk Sale, open to those ages 8 to 18.

Young musicians, dancers, and comics perform on the Allen Street Stage and at the Festival Shell on the Old Main Lawn. Check out the schedule at arts-festival.com/events/2022-07-13.

Young visitors can explore their artistic talents through free creative activities in Sidney Friedman Park and on the Old Main lawn from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Finally, everyone in the family can choose their favorite giant puppet and march in the Children & Youth Day Grand Procession of giant (and not so giant) papier-mache puppets from Old Main Lawn to Sidney Friedman Park, accompanied by drummers and a pep band from State College Area High School. The procession steps off at 4:00 p.m.

“The day is a great way to see how talented and creative young people in our community can be,” stated Rick Bryant, Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. “Of course, it’s also a great day to bring your little ones to the Festival to let them blow off some steam in the dumping buckets water sculpture too!”

Penn State Health will lead healthy outdoor activities at the Sidney Friedman Park pavilion and invite children and their families to make and decorate get-well cards for the children at the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Children’s Hospital.

Michelle Stroud, Outpatient Director at Penn State Health Medical Group, says “We are honored to provide activities that demonstrate connection and support for the kids who are receiving care at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.”

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and additional grant support from the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Centre County Commissioners.

The Festival will take place from July 13 to July 17 in downtown State College and on Penn State’s University Park campus. Children and Youth Day Presented by Penn State Health is July 13, and the Festival’s well-known Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition opens on July 14 and continues through July 17.

For many visitors, an ice cream cone from Penn State’s Berkey Creamery is an essential part of the Arts Festival experience. This year, audience members won’t need to wait for the Festival to enjoy the Berkey Creamery’s newest flavor, Festival Fudge.

Arts Festival staff and volunteers will be serving up free dishes of Festival Fudge–vanilla ice cream with a raspberry swirl and chunks of rich, chocolate fudge—on Friday, July 1, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. outside Schlow Centre Region Library. The event is being held in conjunction with Downtown State College’s First Friday.

“Since it’s been two years since we’ve had a real live festival, we thought our audience might need a little practice enjoying Creamery ice cream” quipped Rick Bryant, the Festival’s executive director. “We thought a free dish of Festival Fudge would be a good way to remind folks that the Festival is just around the corner.”

Look for the Festival’s pop up ice cream stand at the corner of Allen Street and Beaver Avenue, in front of the library’s arcade. In addition to free ice cream free Festival posters, designed by Saige and Lanny Sommese will also be available.

If you miss your free dish of Festival Fudge, you’ll be able to buy it by the cone, dish, or half gallon of it at the Berkey Creamery during the month of July. Festival Fudge will also be available at the Creamery’s booth on the campus mall during this year’s Festival, July 13 through 17.

The festival will take place from July 13 to July 17 in downtown State College and on Penn State’s campus. Children and Youth Day is July 13 and the Festival’s well-known Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition opens on July 14.

For additional information regarding the 2022 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, please visit the Festival’s website, arts-festival.com.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts has released its 2022 collectible poster. The vibrant 24” by 36” poster is a stylized bouquet of flowers made of elements representing art and music in with Penn State’s Old Main, and other visual references to Central Pennsylvania in the background.

The poster is free and can be picked up the following locations:

-Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts
403 S. Allen Street, Suite 205A, State College

– The Happy Valley Store,
204 West Beaver Avenue, State College

-Downtown State College Improvement District
127 S. Fraser Street, State College

-State College Framing Company and Gallery
160 Rolling Ridge Drive, State College

-Penn State Federal Credit Union
1937 North Atherton Street, State College

-HUB-Robeson Center Desk, Penn State Campus

-Hintz Family Alumni Center, Penn State Campus

-Bellefonte Train Station
320 West High Street, Bellefonte

-Art a la Carte
107 S. Allegheny Street, Bellefonte

-Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau
One West Market Street, Lewistown

The poster for the 2022 festival was designed by Saige Sommese, a 2018 graduate of Penn State’s graphic design program, in collaboration with her father, emeritus Professor of Graphic Design at Penn State, Lanny Sommese. For over 40 years, the elder Sommese has designed the colorful posters for the Festival.

This year’s poster is sponsored by the Penn State Alumni Association.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts has issued the Call for Entries for its popular juried fine art exhibition, Images 2022. Images 2022 will hang in downtown State College for the month of July 2022. The jurors will award prizes on July 14.

Work eligible for exhibition in this show includes drawings, paintings, pastels, mixed media, photography, hand-pulled prints, watercolors, fiber, paper, and digital art.

Images 2022 is open to artists whose primary residence is in Pennsylvania. 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 to the online exhibition.

The jurors for Images 2022 are Steve Getz and Carol Ann Simon Cillo. Steve and Carol are both talented artists working in Clinton County. After working together in a corporate setting, they began their own business named If-the Idea Factory. Continually evolving, they provide a wide variety of graphic and surface design production; licensing, creative and art direction; photo styling; exhibit displays and murals for nationwide corporations, museums, organizations and cities.

They currently also manage and create events—in tandem with other CCAC board members—at the
Station Gallery of the Clinton County Arts Council in Lock Haven.

Accepted artists will be eligible for at least $1,800 in Images 2022 prizes awarded by the jurors. There will be merit awards, a Best of Show, and awards for best pastel, best drawing, best photograph, and best student submission.

The application and more detailed information may be found online at http://arts-festival.com/images-juried-exhibition.

The entry deadline is May 6.

Although we are planning for a live exhibition with a supplemental online gallery, we reserve the right to transition to an online-only exhibition if necessary due to pandemic protocols in effect at the time.

The 56th Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts will be from July 13 through July 17, 2022. Watch for more information at https://arts-festival.com/.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts has issued the Call for Entries for its annual banner competition, one of the signature events of the Festival.

Both individuals and groups may submit entries, which typically hang between 15 and 20 feet over the street. The design must be visible from both sides of the banner (identical or different). All components of the banner design and construction must be securely attached, or the banner will not be displayed. Banners with religious, partisan, or commercial messages will not be accepted. The Festival encourages local non-profit organizations to create banners celebrating their organization.

The members of the banner jury will be announced at a later date. The jurors will award prizes in three categories: professional, general, and youth.

Banners entered in the competition must be delivered to the office of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts by 5:00 p.m., June 24, 2022.

More information may be found online at https://arts-festival.com/banners.

The 56th Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts will take place in downtown State Collage and the adjacent University Park Campus of Penn State from July 13 through July 17.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The 2022 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts will be from July 13 through July 17 on the streets of State College and on the adjacent campus of Penn State. The Children and Youth Sidewalk Sale will be held on South Allen Street, on Children and Youth Day, Wednesday,
July 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Children and Youth Sidewalk Sale is a fun way for children to sell original artwork that they have made and perhaps earn some money in the process.

There is a $25.00 entry fee. The application postmark deadline is June 24, 2022. Applications postmarked after that date will not be considered. Applications may be delivered to the Festival offices at 403 South Allen Street, Suite 205A, State College until 5:00 PM on Friday, June 24, 2022.

Applications may now be downloaded at arts-festival.com/children-and-youth

The Festival receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The Children and Youth Sidewalk Sale is sponsored by the Penn State Federal Credit Union, pennstatefederal.com.

2021 Press Releases

New Year’s resolutions just got easier with First Night State College’s Healthy Resolutions partnership with Mount Nittany Health.

For a unique and festive twist on the New Year’s revelry, First Night State College is offering fun for the whole family and a celebration of the arts. First Night State College, located in the heart of downtown State College, is a production of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts and is a great way to get a healthy start on the New Year.

“It is with great pleasure that we announce this year’s Healthy Resolutions partnership with Mount Nittany Health” shares Festival Executive Director, Rick Bryant. “Together we are encouraging the community’s participation in small changes for better health in 2022.”

“Since its inception in 1994, First Night State College has promoted a fun, unique and healthy celebration of the New Year’s holiday,” noted Bryant. “Mount Nittany Health wants to encourage New Year’s resolutions that support health and wellness by making small, but meaningful, changes. For tips on how to reduce stress, switch to healthier beverages, and incorporate movement into your daily routine, stop by the Mount Nittany Health Booth at First Night or visit firstnightstatecollege.com/healthy-resolutions.”

“Mount Nittany Health is pleased to sponsor Healthy Resolutions at First Night,” says Kathleen Rhine, president and CEO, Mount Nittany Health. “This event is a wonderful example of our mission, Healthier People. Stronger Community, in action. We look forward to celebrating the New Year in this fun, healthy way, and adopting new health and wellness resolutions alongside our community.”

“On behalf of the providers and staff of Mount Nittany Health, I would be remiss if I didn’t stress that our community is still experiencing high levels of COVID-19 transmission and that the impact on our health system has been great. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated and celebrate safely by wearing a mask, social distancing and practicing good hand hygiene.”

Join Mount Nittany Health at the Mayor Welch Plaza outside the State College Borough building and warm up station where, Mount Nittany Health representatives will be on hand to help revelers write down their healthy resolutions for 2022. “Inside the lobby, people will be able to tie their personal, handwritten healthy resolutions to the tail of a rising First Night Phoenix, one of our most popular Resolutions Sculptures,” said Rick Bryant. “The flaming, fiery Phoenix represents rebirth by continually emerging from its own ashes to live again.”

Learn more about making Healthy Resolutions a part of your start to a brand-new year at https://firstnightstatecollege.com/healthy-resolutions/.
# # # #

Mount Nittany Health, a modern comprehensive healthcare system located in State College, Pennsylvania, consists of Mount Nittany Medical Center, a 260-bed acute care facility; Mount Nittany Physician Group with a staff of more than 170 providers who offer primary and specialty care services in 16 locations in six counties throughout central Pennsylvania; the Children’s Advocacy Center that provides support for children affected by abuse; and the Mount Nittany Health Foundation that raises money for much needed programs, technology, and facilities to benefit the community. In addition to providing high quality care, Mount Nittany Health strives to improve the health and wellness of its community through education programs, events and health screenings. Visit mountnittany.org to learn more about Mount Nittany Health’s mission to make people healthier.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts announced the prize winners in its second annual Puttin’ on the Glitz holiday decorations contest, presented as a prequel to this year’s First Night State College.

The winner of first place in the traditional class is the home of Richard Carson, 126 S. Thomas Street, Bellefonte. The second-place winner is the home of Ashley Stark, 428 N. Spring Street, Bellefonte. The first-place win carries a cash award of $100 and second place $50.

In the contemporary class, the top prize winner is the home of Daniel Forster, 3051 West Whitehall Road, Pennsylvania Furnace. The second-place winner is the home of Katherine Masters, 1251 Barnstable Lane, State College. The home of Jimmy and Sheri Vuccolo, 1231 Shamrock Avenue, received the honorable mention award. The first-place win carries a cash award of $100 and second place $50.

“What a joy-filled way to share to share the holiday season, visiting all the amazing entries and seeing the enthusiasm from the community, noted contest judge Amy Caputo, Communications Manager, Schlow Centre Region Library, State College. “It was a tough assignment—and I hope everyone involved knows how much their participation filled the community’s spirits”

In addition to Caputo, the judges for the event were: Mel Curtis, Director YMCA Anti-Hunger Program, YMCA of Centre County, Philipsburg; Lori Fisher, Deputy Director, Bellefonte Art Museum, Bellefonte; Kelly Hughes, Office Manager, Student Book Store, State College; and Karl Eric Leitzel, Partner, Green Drake Gallery, Millheim.

After an absence of a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, First Night State College will once again provide central Pennsylvania with a great way to mark the passing of the old year and the ringing in of the New Year. This alcohol-free community celebration of the visual and performing arts will take place in downtown State College and on the University Park Campus of Penn State on December 31, 2021.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Additional funding is provided through a grant made possible by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and the Centre County Commissioners.

A production of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, 2022 First Night State College is a creative and healthy New Year’s celebration meant to replace watching television and alcohol-fueled New Year’s Eve revelry. First Night is an old-fashioned community celebration where all are welcome; young and old, singles and families, townsfolk and visitors.

2022 First Night State College will feature a display of outdoor ice carving, including large sculptures located in the 100 block of South Allen Street, while the ever-popular PNC Bank Ice Slide will be in Sidney Friedman Park. At the end of the event, the First Night State College ice carving team will have carved over 30,000 pounds of ice! Watch these carvings evolve from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. This year, the First Night State College ice carvers will create a wide array of giant ice displays that showcase their artistry.

Regular attendees will notice some changes in the event this year.

This year’s event will follow the Borough of State College’s mask wearing mandate. Current regulations call for all audience members to wear masks that cover their nose and mouth when inside a performance venue. This rule also covers ice skating at Pegula Arena.

First Night State College welcomes two new performance venues this year, the Blue Brick Theatre and 3 Dots Downtown.

The Blue Brick Theatre, 209 W. Calder Way is home to Happy Valley Improv, which will perform at 2:00, 4:30, 8:30, and 10:30 p.m. The 2:00 p.m. show will highlight Happy Valley Improv’s youth program, while the 10:30 p.m. show may contain adult themes.

3 Dots Downtown, 137 East Beaver Avenue, will host two performance workshops. The first is by Black Cat Belly Dance at 1:00 p.m. The second a songwriting workshop with singer-songwriter Jim Colbert at 7:00 p.m.

First Night State College will present three variety acts this year:

Acrobat Li Liu was born in China and began acrobatic training when she was six years old. Shortly thereafter she was chosen to attend The Chinese National Circus School in Beijing. For many years Ms. Liu traveled extensively throughout Europe, Africa and Asia with The Liaoning Acrobatic Arts Troupe. She has toured America with the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus. She performs in the Penn State Downtown Theatre at 4:30, 7:00, and 9:30 p.m.

Born with the gifts of flexibility, curiosity, and goofiness, Jonathan Burns now uses these unique talents to astonish audiences around the globe. Over the course of his career, Jonathan has appeared on America’s Got Talent, Penn & Teller Fool Us, The Late Late Show with James Corden, and many more. He makes a return visit to First Night, performing at The State Theatre at 3:30, 7:30 and 10:00 p.m.

David Darwin presents a one-man sideshow of juggling, comedy and vaudeville with lots of audience participation. A Penn State graduate—Class of 2000 in Journalism—he keeps both adults and kids laughing with his irreverent humor. He’ll be at the State College Municipal Building Community Room at 5:00, 7:00, and 9:30 p.m.

There is something for every musical taste at First Night State College. Brass fans won’t want to miss the Altoona Brass Collective, performing at the State College Presbyterian Church at 2:00 p.m. Bluegrass aficionados will enjoy the Tussey Mountain Moonshiners, performing at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 8:30 p.m. Jazz saxophonist Rick Hirsch fronts the Rick Hirsch 5 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 2:30 p.m. More information on these performances and the entire First Night lineup can be found at firstnightstatecollege.com.

Runners and fast walkers can speed into the New Year in the First Night State College 5K Resolution Run, presented with the Nittany Valley Running Club. The run starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Corner of College Avenue and Allen Street and is one of the most popular events of First Night State College. We encourage participants (and spectators) to wear costumes for this bracing trip through downtown State College and the Penn State campus. More information is available online at firstnightstatecollege.com/resolution-run

Those wanting a more theatrical trip through downtown can join in our Grand Procession, starting at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 208 West Foster Avenue, and proceeding up Fraser Street to College Avenue beginning at 6:30 p.m. Participants bring to life a menagerie of large and small papier mache fantastic creatures or join in the fun playing one of our African drums.

Carriage rides will be offered beginning at 7:00 p.m. in front of the State College Municipal Building. The cost is a First Night button and $5 per person. Rides are on a first-come, first-served basis.

First Night presents arts and crafts workshops at The Makery, 123 S Fraser St. and in the Social Hall of State College Presbyterian Church, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. For those who like to be reminded of their resolution throughout the year as they drink their morning coffee, First Night presents The Resolution Mug at 2000 Degrees, 202 W. College Avenue. 2000 Degrees provides almost everything needed to immortalize a New Year’s resolution in ceramics. Audience members provide the missing piece–the creativity! Due to Covid restrictions, same day reservations will need to be made. Stop at 2000 Degrees on December 31 and pick a time for your visit. Admission is a First Night button plus $7.00.

The official warm up station of First Night State College is 3 Dots Downtown, 137 East Beaver Avenue, State College. It will be staffed with friendly volunteers who can answer all of your First Night questions from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. on December 31.

Admission to all indoor performances is with the 2022 First Night State College button. Buttons are $10 and can be purchased at the door of events and select downtown businesses. When accompanied by an adult, children 12 and under are free. First Night State College button retail outlets include: 3 Dots Downtown, 2000 Degrees, Appalachian Outdoors, Art a la Carte, Blue Brick Theatre, Borough of State College Finance Office, The Corner Room, Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, The Makery, Otto’s Pub and Brewery, Pegula Ice Arena, Penn State Federal Credit Union, PNC Banks (College, North Atherton and South Atherton Streets) Schlow Centre Region Library, State College Framing Company and Galley, UPS Store (Colonnade Way).

Special button 4-packs are available for $35 through December 24 at these select locations: Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, 201 W Beaver Avenue, and the Penn State Federal Credit Union, 1937 North Atherton Street, State College and 123 Amberleigh Lane, Bellefonte.

Buttons are available online at https://firstnightstatecollege.com/buy-a-button/ through December 17.

The 2022 First Night State College Official Program Guide, published by Barash Media is available as an insert in Town & Gown magazine.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is now accepting applications in its second annual holiday decorations contest, “Puttin’ on the Glitz”. This year’s contest will take place in conjunction with First Night State College. The contest is sponsored by THe Richards Stover Group at Kissinger Bigatel and Brower realtors.

Any residential property in Centre County is eligible: single family homes, duplexes, even apartment balconies. The decorations must be visible from the street or sidewalk. Groups of homes are also eligible, if the properties adjoin. The entry fee is $10 for a single home and $20 for a group of homes. The entry deadline is December 10, 2021.

A panel of five judges will select the contest winners. They will visit the entries separately and will meet online to select the winners and award prizes. The judges are:

Amy Caputo, Communications Manager, Schlow Centre Region Library, State College
Mel Curtis, Director YMCA Anti-Hunger Program, YMCA of Centre County, Philipsburg
Lori Fisher, Deputy Director, Bellefonte Museum, Bellefonte
Kelly Hughes, Office Manager, Student Book Store, State College
Karl Eric Leitzel, Partner, Green Drake Gallery, Millheim

“Last year was our first year for this contest”, noted Festival director Rick Bryant. “It was the perfect thing for a socially distanced world—you could drive around in your car and check out the entries. This year since people have seen how much fun it was, we’re hoping for an even stronger response.”

Full details of the event can be found at: https://www.arts-festival.com/holiday-lights

First Night State College, produced by the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, returns to downtown State College on December 31.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Additional funding is provided through a grant made by possible by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and the Centre County Commissioners.

Awards Announced for Images 2021 Fine Art Exhibition
The public is invited to see the show online

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts announced $1,800 in awards for Images 2021, the Festival’s annual juried exhibition of fine art. The award decisions were made by the show’s juror Betsey Batchelor, an artist and teacher who lives and works in Philadelphia, and is also Associate Professor at Arcadia University heading the area of Painting and Drawing.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s show is once again an online exhibition. It can be viewed at https://arts-festival.com/images-exhibition-gallery.

The Best in Show was awarded to Stacie Bird of State College, PA for her photograph, Summer Kitchen. This award was sponsored by the State College Framing Company & Gallery.

“I enjoyed having the opportunity to see what people have been doing during this very challenging time with the COVID pandemic, and in a time where in many ways the country is divided”, said juror Betsey Batchelor.

“I saw work that expressed isolation, loneliness, and political upheaval. I saw work that may have served as a respite. As artists we know that art can sometimes save us. We can go into the studio and turn away from the world, and there we can use our work to respond to our experience of the world or create an alternative world. It requires that in some measure we turn inward and spend time within ourselves. For many, this is deeply restorative. There are images of works from the exhibition that I loved and that I carry with me and revisit in my mind. That seems to me to be the power of art!”

Sixty-two pieces were chosen by Batchelor from the 275 pieces submitted from across Pennsylvania.

The William D. Davis Award in Drawing was awarded to Jennifer Kelly of State College, PA for her ink marker drawing, Ry. The Davis Award is sponsored by the Sturtz-Davis Family in William’s memory.

The Best Pastel Award was presented to William Sweeney of Garnet Valley, PA for his pastel, Balancing Act.

Best Photograph was awarded to Lisa Cirincione of State College for her photo, Loving Hands.

The following works were chosen as Award of Merit winners.

Am I Still Dreaming
Mary Eileen Carson, Harrisburg, PA

Needles Highway 1
Thomas Norulak, Pittsburgh, PA

Relentless
Liz Krick, Port Matilda, PA

Summer Swans
Janice Heverly, Howard, PA

The award for Best Work by a Student was given to Alexia Jack of Worthington, PA for Skull and Objects.

Many of the pieces in the Images 2021 exhibition are for sale. To purchase something that moves you, please contact the Festival office at (814) 237-3682.

The Images exhibition is part of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. The Arts Festival receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

Additional funding is provided through a grant made possible by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and the Centre County Commissioners.

The 55^th annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts will take place in a hybrid format from Thursday, July 8 through Sunday, July 11. While the Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition will take place online for the second year, the Festival will welcome live audiences to musical performances.

Those performances will be in the State College Presbyterian Church, 132 West Beaver Avenue, State College, from Thursday, July 8 through Saturday, July 10. Admission will be by $10 wristband, good for the duration of the Festival. Audiences will be limited to 250 people. A wristband will not guarantee the purchaser a seat.

Live shows are as follows:

Thursday, July 8
12:00pm Tussey Mountain Moonshiners (bluegrass)
4:00 pm Below Centre (low brass quartet)
7:00 pm Kristi Jean and Her Ne’er Do Wells (country)
9:00 pm Callanish (Celtic)

Friday, July 9
12:00 pm Ramalama (doo-wop)
4:00 pm JT and the Denicats (Jazz/Dixieland)
7:00 pm Natascha and the Spy Boys (cabaret)

Saturday, July 10
12:00 pm Jay Vonada Quartet (jazz)
4:00 pm Triple A Blues Band (blues)
7:00 pm Jon Rounds (singer/songwriter)
9:00 pm Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet (jazz)

The above performances will be presented live and also streamed live onto the Festival’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Philadelphia area folk standouts, The River Drivers will perform at 9:00 pm on Friday July 9, in a concert that will be streamed only.

The Festival’s celebrated Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition will be online only. Audience members can check out the participating artists at arts-festival.com/artists. The Festival’s website links to the online shopping portal of each participating artist.

“When people ask me how they can help the Festival, I tell them to shop at our Sidewalk Sale artists”, commented Festival director Rick Bryant. “Each participating artist is a small business person trying to navigate the end of the pandemic that had a devastating effect on their livelihoods. If we want to see artists in State College in the summer of 2022, support them now.”

Images 2021, our online gallery exhibition of drawings, paintings, mixed media, photography, hand-pulled prints, watercolors, fiber, paper, and digital art, is a virtual exhibition again this year. It can be found at arts-festival.com/images.The show’s juror, Betsey Batchelor, will award $1,800 in prize money. Award winners will be announced in a virtual awards event on Thursday, July 8 at 6:30 pm.

One of the things many visitors like about Children and Youth Day is the opportunity to see how creative young artists are. The Festival’s Young Artists Gallery provides a place for young artists to show their work. Young artists—up to age 18, may submit digital images of original work in a variety of media to the Young Artists Gallery for exhibition on the Festival’s website. Full details can be found at: https://arts-festival.com/young-artists-gallery/.

The events of 2020—global pandemic, economic devastation, revelations of social injustice, the legacy of slavery, political division, and violence against institutions—have created crises of meaning for many. In these times, communities of faith turn to prayer and reflection, but also to art, which seeks new images and metaphors to name and understand the human experience.

This spring, our friends at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church invited writers of all ages to submit original poetry to a contest that aimed to honor our collective pandemic. Poets were asked to reflect on “Has this year brought forth language of lament or hope?” and “However you experience the divine, where do you see God working through the chaos?”

The result of this thoughtful reflection is a poetry reading at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 10 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 208 W. Foster Avenue State College.

The event will be hosted by poet Julia Spicher Kasdorf with readings by contest winners.

The event will include a panel discussion moderated by The Rev. Jeffrey A. Packard, with panelists The Rt. Rev. Audrey Cady Scanlan, Bishop of Central Pennsylvania, Tierra Williams, and Julia Spicher Kasdorf. Admission is free.

In 2020, the Festival’s street painters worked from homes across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This year, they gathered at a home in Bellefonte for a day of street painting. Their work will be on display https://arts-festival.com/street-painting as of Thursday, July 8.

It’s not a Festival without an official CPFA t-shirt. Our merchandise booth is online again this year. You’ll find a great selection of t-shirts and other gear at https://arts-festival.com/store Longtime Festival partner Collegiate Pride will be sending shirts directly to purchasers again this year.

Food is an essential part of the arts festival experience. Shop at https://arts-festival.com/specialty-foods/ for a variety of regional treats, including Tait Farm and Village Eating House products, Piper’s Peck salsas and jellies, Goot Essa cheeses, and wines from the University Wine Company. Bellefonte’s Big Spring Spirits distillery is offering craft cocktail kits once again, with their proceeds benefiting the Festival.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Additional funding is provided through a grant made by possible by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and the Centre County Commissioners.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts has announced that audiences will be welcomed to live musical performances this year.

The Festival will present eleven musical performances at the State College Presbyterian Church, 132 West Beaver Avenue, State College, from Thursday, July 8 through Saturday, July 10, 2021.

Admission will be by wristband, which will be available at the door. Wristbands, which are good for the entire three-day event, are $10 and will be required for individuals 12 and older. Audiences will be limited to 250 people, and seating will be on a first come, first served basis. Purchase of a wristband does not guarantee a seat.

The performances will also be live streamed on Facebook Live and YouTube Live.

Wristbands may also be purchased in advance at the Festival office, 403 S. Allen St., Suite 205A, State College.

The Festival’s famous Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition, and juried galley exhibition Images, are taking place virtually this year, at arts-festival.com.

“We’re excited to have performers in front of live audiences once again” noted Festival director Rick Bryant. “We’re not quite back at business as usual, but this is a step in the right direction. We’re looking forward to producing First Night State College in its traditional form on December 31.”

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is made possible by grant support from the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Centre County Commissioners. The Festival receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

This year’s virtual event will take place from July 8 to July 11 on the Festival’s website, arts-festival.com.

Festival organizers have released the 2021 collectible Arts Festival poster, in conjunction with 2021’s virtual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.

As in recent years, the 24” by 36” poster was designed by longtime Festival poster designer Lanny Sommese and his daughter Saige. Ink and watercolor doodles representing elements of an “in person” Festival are arranged randomly on a white field, along with a subtle reference to the Festival’s virtual status: a laptop computer from which arises a treble clef. The poster exudes simple joy and optimism for better days ahead.

“A poster is part of our DNA; we would practically walk over hot coals to make sure we have one. Since this year’s Festival is once again in the virtual world, we stuck with last year’s motto ‘happening wherever you are’ instead of the traditional tagline about downtown State College and the Penn State campus,” noted Festival executive director Rick Bryant.

A limited number of posters are available for free—although donations are happily accepted— and can be picked up at several local businesses, including:

-Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts
403 S. Allen Street, Suite 205A, State College

-Downtown State College Improvement District
127 S. Fraser Street, State College

-State College Framing Company and Gallery
160 Rolling Ridge Drive, State College

-The Makery
123 S. Fraser Street, State College

-Art a la Carte
107 S. Allegheny Street, Bellefonte

-Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau
One West Market Street, Lewistown

Posters, including vintage posters, are available for sale on the Festival’s website.

Poster designer Lanny Sommese is emeritus Professor of Graphic Design at Penn State. Saige Sommese is a 2018 graduate of Penn State’s graphic design program and is the principal in her own design firm. For over 40 years, the elder Sommese has designed the colorful posters for the Arts Festival.

The Festival is made possible by grant support from the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Centre County Commissioners. The Festival receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

This year’s virtual event will take place from July 8 to July 11 on the Festival’s website, arts-festival.com.

With deep regret, the Board of Directors of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts announces the cancellation of its July 2021 in person event due to ongoing public health concerns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the number of Americans receiving vaccinations is encouraging, ongoing public health guidance makes it impossible to produce the event our community has come to know and love. We must continue to put the health and safety of our audience members, artists, performers, volunteers, and sponsors first.

Given the logistics and work involved in producing the Festival, we had to make a decision sooner rather than later. We have discussed and investigated other options—from moving the date, to moving to an alternate site, to scaling the Festival down. None of the options were satisfactory in allowing us to meet the expectations of artists, participants, and the safety of our community.

“This was an even more difficult decision to make this year than it was last year in the early days of the pandemic” said Renata S. Engel, CPFA board president. “The fact is that as exceptional as our staff and volunteers are, our ability to produce an event of this scale with all of the uncertainty that remains about the pandemic is not possible this year. We have heard from so many of you how important the Festival is to our community and that you want it to return to the streets of State College and on our Penn State campus. And we want that too. We’re committed to making that happen in the future and creating a virtual festival this year. Our enthusiasm for the arts and their important role in our community has only strengthened during this pandemic.”

Festival staff will turn their attention to presenting artists and musicians in a virtual festival in early July. As events for the online experience are scheduled, they will be listed on the Festival’s website at arts-festival.com.

The Festival is the anchor event of a week that includes Heritage Days in Philipsburg and the Peoples Choice Festival in Boalsburg. Heritage Days announced its cancelation concurrently with that of the Festival.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts also produces First Night State College each year on December 31. Right now, plans are for the event to return in its traditional form in 2021 with ice sculpture, concerts, performances, and other family-centered activities.

For now, we are grateful to the Borough of State College, Penn State, the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and the greater community as well as the thousands of friends, families, Penn Staters, art lovers, volunteers, sponsors, donors and others who join us each summer to experience creativity at its best. We know that you have had to adapt with us, and it hasn’t been easy. We share in your disappointment and appreciate your ongoing support. And we look forward to connecting online this summer and then coming together for a robust in-person Arts Festival when possible.

Founded in 1967 by the State College Chamber of Commerce and Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture, the Festival attracts approximately 125,000 visitors to the Centre Region each summer and is regarded as one of the nation’s premier events of its kind.

The Festival receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Additional funding is provided through a grant made by possible by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Centre County Commissioners.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts has issued the Call for Entries for its annual banner competition, one of the signature events of the Festival. The banner competition will take place even if the Festival is a virtual event in 2021.

Both individuals and groups may submit entries, which typically hang between 15 and 20 feet over the street. The design must be visible from both sides of the banner (identical or different). All components of the banner design and construction must be securely attached, or the banner will not be displayed. Banners with religious, partisan, or commercial messages will not be accepted. The Festival encourages local non-profit organizations to create banners celebrating their organization.

The members of the banner jury will be announced at a later date. The jurors will award prizes in three categories: professional, general, and youth.

Banners entered in the competition must be delivered to the office of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts by 5:00 p.m., June 18, 2021.

More information may be found online at https://arts-festival.com/banners.

The 55th Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts will be from July 7 through July 11. Watch for more information about whether the Festival will be an in-person or virtual event.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts has issued the Call for Entries for its popular juried fine art exhibition, Images 2021. Images 2021 will be an online exhibition due to the ongoing coronavirus uncertainty. Work eligible for exhibition in this show includes drawings, paintings, mixed media, photography, hand-pulled prints, watercolors, fiber, paper, and digital art.

The juror for Images 2021 is Betsey Batchelor. Ms. Batchelor is an artist and teacher who lives and works in Philadelphia, and is also Associate Professor at Arcadia University heading the area of Painting and Drawing.

Her work has been shown at the Woodmere Art Museum in Philadelphia, Dartmouth College, Swarthmore College, Arcadia University, and the Jessica Berwind Gallery, Jeffrey Fuller Fine Art, and the Matthews Hamilton Gallery in Philadelphia. She is the recipient of grants from both the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. Ms. Batchelor is a MacDowell Colony Fellow.

Images 2021 is open to artists whose primary residence is in Pennsylvania. Digital images of original work produced within the last three years may be submitted. Both adults and enrolled students from ages 16 through 26 are encouraged to apply to the online exhibition.

Artists will be eligible for at least $1,800 in prizes awarded by the juror. There will be merit awards, a Best of Show, and awards for best pastel, best drawing, best photograph, and best student submission.

The application may be found online at http://arts-festival.com/images-juried-exhibition. The entry deadline is June 4.

The 55th Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts will be from July 7 through July 11. Watch for more information about whether the Festival will be an in-person or virtual event.

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