The Juried Art Exhibition celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and once again, a stunning exhibit is planned at Gettysburg College’s Schmucker Art Gallery for the month of June. Juror, Jessica Ambler, PhD, Director of the Martin Art Gallery at Muhlenberg College, has chosen 47 pieces for the exhibit, which will be open from June 1-21, Monday through Saturday, 10 am–4 pm (closed Sundays). A reception and awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 8 from 5-7 pm, with awards presented at 6 pm. This reception is free and open to the public.
Immediately following the awards ceremony, ACAC will host a “Toast the Artists” celebration in the Atrium/Dining Services on Gettysburg College’s campus, featuring live music by the Buzz Jones Quartet, heavy hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails, wine, and a silent auction of additional artworks created by ACAC members. Tickets for this event are $75/each. The event is produced in partnership with Gettysburg College and generously sponsored by Scott & Co. Fine Jewelers, Renn Kirby Gettysburg, Members1st, Open Minds, the Land Conservancy of Adams County, Adams Electric Cooperative, Inc., A&A Village Treasures, Graphcom, Lark, Gunnar Galleries, Harvest Investment Services, and Blick Art Supplies.
Artists contribute so much to our quality of life, providing multiple means of connection and communication. Most people take for granted the countless hours of training, practice, trial, and error that creating something unique, thought-provoking, and beautiful can require. When you see a stunning painting, it is likely that the artist who created it spent literally thousands of hours practicing and experimenting with different techniques, and many more hours conceptualizing and creating the specific piece in front of you.
Fine artists follow an impulse to create for the sake of creating. They feel a drive to express themselves in a visual way, to connect with people, to communicate something that perhaps cannot be expressed in words. The value of this exercise is in the practice and the process. Outcomes are the “gravy,” but they also have the power to enhance and transform our lives, whether it is a piece we purchase to adorn our homes, or something we see in an exhibit that sparks a conversation, connecting us to a stranger. This impact is hard to measure and also invaluable.
This is why the “Toast the Artists” celebration is such an important event for the ACAC. It gives us an opportunity to say, “thank you” to the people in our community who create. It gives artists an opportunity to meet people who may be interested in their work, supporting their careers as artists. And it gives us all an excuse to celebrate a beautiful day in June; to come together and connect over the joy we reap when we are surrounded by beautiful, thought-provoking, and unique works of art, all while supporting the mission of the Adams County Arts Council, to cultivate an arts-rich community. Sponsorships for this event are still available at all levels. When you purchase your ticket, consider adding a $50 donation to sponsor an artist’s ticket to attend. All proceeds benefit ACAC, and silent auction purchases also directly benefit the artists who share their work.
For more information about the Juried Art Exhibition and Toast the Artists Celebration, contact aa@adamsarts.org, call (717) 334-5006, or visit www.adamsarts.org.
Lisa Cadigan is the Executive Director of the Adams County Arts Council, 125 S. Washington Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325; 717-334-5006; aa@adamsarts.org; www.adamsarts.org. The mission of the Adams County Arts Council is to cultivate an arts-rich community.