VISUAL ARTS AT 2012 GETTYSBURG FESTIVAL:  MORE THAN 20 FREE EVENTS FEATURING 100 ARTISTS

GETTYSBURG, PA (March 29, 2012)—Artists and art lovers from around the country are invited to the 5^th annual Gettysburg Festival, June 8-17, featuring the works of about 100 artists at more than 20 art exhibits and demonstrations—all offering free admission.  Exhibits range from historical to contemporary subjects, in various media from paintings to sculpture, including “plein air” (open air) artwork created live on site throughout Gettysburg and its hallowed battlefields.

New for 2012, the June 9-10 Art Market, features artists and artisans demonstrating and selling their works on site at the Festival Main Stage at Gettysburg College in the midst of a full weekend’s lineup of music, food vendors and fun.  Artisan applications, available at gettysburgfestival.org, are still being accepted.  Art Market admission is free and open to the public.

An outdoor painting competition directly on Gettysburg’s Lincoln Square, the June 15 Quick Draw, is also new to the 2012 lineup.  Plein air artists are challenged to capture downtown scenes on canvas within the two hour timeframe.  Judges will confer and award prizes to the top artists, but the public is also welcome to watch and select their own favorites.  All artwork will be sold during the concluding “wet sale.”  Artists are welcome to apply by the June 15 deadline.

The History Meets the Arts Show, known as “the largest gathering of historical artists in the country,” returns to Gettysburg Festival, June 14-17. Historical art abounds throughout Gettysburg’s distinctive downtown galleries, showcasing French/Indian, Frontier, Revolutionary, World War I and II, and of course Civil War art. Throughout the weekend, attendees can enjoy a full lineup of gallery talks, demonstrations, and special events designed to bring historical art to life, including the Edible Art Tour through downtown galleries on Thursday, June 14. Participating galleries this year include:

• Brafferton Inn, featuring renowned Civil War artist Keith Rocco
• Civil War Fine Art, featuring Amy Lindenberger, Civil War artist working in a distinctive colored pencil medium
• Gettysburg Frame Shop, featuring Timothy Mark Churms, Greg Gongaware, Ron Lesser, Bradley Schmehl and Larry Selman
• Lincoln Into Art, featuring “Lincoln Artist” Wendy Allen and photo artist Dan Mangan
• Lord Nelson’s Gallery, featuring more than twenty artists and artisans at two locations, including John Buxton, Robert Griffing, John Weiss and David Wright

The 9^th Annual Adams County Arts Council’s Juried Art Exhibition, June 8-17, displays the work of both emerging and established artists from throughout the mid-Atlantic region.  The exhibit, housed at Gettysburg College’s Schmucker Art Gallery, showcases a diverse range of media and offers free admission.

The public is invited to watch artists painting on site throughout Gettysburg as part of two “plein air” (open air) painting events:  The 3^rd annual Artist Colony, a unique residential program in which juried artists from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region live and work together, June 13-17, includes painting sessions on location plus workshops with master artists.  Additionally, the Plein Air Paint Out features about a dozen artists painting in camaraderie throughout Gettysburg, capturing both pastoral landscapes as well as charming townscapes.  Works of all Gettysburg Festival plein air artists will be exhibited in Plein Air Mastery at the Majestic, June 8-16, at the downtown Majestic Theater Gallery. This exhibit switches to Gettysburg on Canvas, June 16, and features an artist reception and unveiling of new works created during the 2012 Festival, all of which are for sale.

The annual 10-day Gettysburg Festival celebrates arts, culture and cuisine with 100+ events, more than half of which are free. Headline events include 5-time Grammy Award winning blues singer and guitarist Robert Cray, blues singer Shemekia Copeland, Broadway’s Next H!T Musical with the accompanying Chocolate on Broadway and Americana trio Red Molly.  Free events include the All-American Brass Picnic, Art Market, Children’s Arts Faire and History Meets the Arts downtown gallery events.  Designed by a former White House Chef, the culinary lineup features:  Blues, Beer & BBQ; White House Dinner and more. Plus dozens of Fringe Festival events highlight the community:  Canary Cabaret, Gettysburg in Bloom garden tour, Father’s Day Music & Machines and much more.

For more information: www.gettysburgfestival.org or 717-334-0853.

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