A passion for the arts, love for her hometown, and a strong work ethic defined Chris Glatfelter’s life. Glatfelter–a producer, director, and executive director emerita of the Adams County Arts Council–died March 29 at the age of 74.
Born and raised in Gettysburg, Glatfelter graduated from Gettysburg Area High School in 1969. She often recalled being excited to forever leave her small hometown, but reversed course after attending Temple University. Instead, she began infusing the arts in the historic borough by producing plays and musical shows.
In 1982, with Chad Huber and Don Rinehart, she launched “Deja Vu: Two Nights of ‘60s Music,” and she created The Leatherettes, a musical comedy group which grew from three singers to eight during a 30-year run.
She became the founding executive director of the Adams County Arts Council in 1993. For 27 years under her leadership, the Arts Council hosted countless artists in residence, gave gallery space to many, and served more than 11,000 low-income students. The organization also hosted juried art exhibitions, Gingerbread House competitions, New Year’s Eve on Lincoln Square, Halloween costume parties, and Dancing with the Local Stars in cooperation with the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County.
Glatfelter’s favorite time of the year was summer, when the center was filled with children attending summer camps.
Her management style attracted hundreds of volunteers to the Arts Council’s projects.
“Anyone whoever attended Dancing with the Local Stars or Deja Vu or any of the Arts Council events should know that Chris is what made those nights so special,” said Mark Purdy, a local resident who emceed several Arts Council events including New Year’s Eve on Lincoln Square and Dancing with the Local Stars. “She knew who should be doing what and when and she made sure it all worked. At the same time, she could handle any contingency or ad lib. I was always really flattered to have her tell me I did a good job. She was such a pro.”
For 18 years, the Arts Council occupied office space in the Times Square Building on Gettysburg’s Carlisle Street. In 2011, Glatfelter and other supporters cut the ribbon on its current Washington Street Home after a successful $1.8 million capital campaign.
Glatfelter believed the Arts Council was not her organization, but the community’s.
“What I appreciated most about her was the way she encouraged each of us—whether staff or volunteer—to contribute in ways that felt true to who we were,” said Program and Gallery Director Wendy Heiges. “She trusted people to bring their own vision to the work being done and that trust brought out the best in each person. It shaped some of the most meaningful and successful outcomes for the organization. I think that deep belief in people was one of the quiet secrets to her success.”
Adams County is home to numerous non-profit organizations, many of which are competing for the same resources. Glatfelter believed collaboration, not competition, was key. She and other directors would meet regularly to share advice and support each other.
“We worked together on different levels but I especially enjoyed her interaction with our nonprofit executive directors group,” said retired YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County Executive Director Deb Geesey. “We leaned on each other for support and understanding of all aspects of running a nonprofit. It proved to be invaluable to many of us.”
Heiges said Glatfelter’s background in theater always shone through in her work as a public figure— whether she was asked to speak or she was presenting at the ACAC annual meeting.
“She had a natural command of pace and drama, using pauses and tone that was charismatic. Even in one-on-one conversations, She had a way of just saying your name that would stop you in your tracks,” Heiges said. “She had a gift for putting together the broad scope of work done by the ACAC and weave the initiatives and partnerships into a PowerPoint that left her audience on the edge of their seats. Even those of us on staff, who were part of the everyday work behind the scenes, found ourselves amazed by how powerfully she revealed the full scope and impact of what the Arts Council accomplished each year.”
Glatfelter retired in 2020 and continued working with the Arts Council as a volunteer. She also became the Rotary Club of Gettysburg’s community service chair and recruited volunteers for projects including litter cleanup and Ruth’s Harvest meal packing.
At her retirement party, The Leatherettes reunited for one final number, a parody of the Beatles classic “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.”
“Christina had a passion for the artsy place
Charles and Miriam they’d lend a hand
Drama, skits and musicals at rapid pace
A “Sleepy Hollow” horse who traveled ‘cross the land …
Ob la di …
Mark and Judy started on the bottom floor
Melinda took the reins, AC was born
Chris took over soon, the rest is history,
She worked so hard and daily blew the Council’s horn.
Ob la di …
In a couple more beers, you will learn to like this song
In a couple more years, we might try to get along … Hahaha
Hey, Happy ever after in the artsy place
Serving artists all across the land.
Chris directed many projects in that space
And we thank her for our chance to be her band.
Obla di …
In a couple more years, she will sell her crocks online,
Putter in the garden and feed the cat, retirement looking fine!
Christina worked for years to bring the arts to life
To all the folks who came to her home town.
The Arts Council Center now is shining bright
‘Cause when it comes to being queen she wears the crown!
Obla di …
And if you want some fun, sing obla di bla da, HEY”
