It’s a beautiful afternoon in late August, and you are strolling casually under the massive 100-year old black walnut trees shading the central park. Although it seems like an amazingly photogenic scene shows up every few minutes as you progress, and there seems to be an artist sitting there painting what you see. Just about then, you hear the clop, clop of horses hooves on gravel, and a horse-drawn wagon comes around a corner plying its way sleepily through the dappled light under the trees.
It’s Plein Air at Landis Valley. And it’s a celebration of a wide range of traditional arts as well as of beautiful Sunday afternoon walks in the park at least 100 years ago.
Come, and you will find great art, crafts, live music, ice cream, and pleasant conversation with friends under the trees. There will be plenty of entertainment for the entire family with music, children’s art activities, and horse-drawn wagon rides around the property.
To produce this event, we partnered with the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen to present Plein Air at Landis Valley: A Celebration of Traditional Craft. This event is the culmination of an annual competition among artists reflecting upon Landis Valley Museum or one of the other local museum properties in the area. It features judging of plein air artworks* produced outdoors throughout the year at one or more of the museums. These juried artists and craftspeople will also exhibit their pieces in the millstone grove, where you can purchase art and crafts that bring Landis Valley right into your home, if desired.
Don’t miss it. It’s a tradition that brings many families here year after year to experience an old-fashioned Sunday in the park.
Ice cream and cold drinks will be available for purchase.
*Anyone interested in entering the plein air competition or applying to become an exhibitor during the event should contact the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen directly at (717) 431-8706.
Plein Air Competition will take place in the yellow barn with the judging at 3pm. There will be paintings available for purchase. Tickets will be available online this summer.