The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts: A History of Community and Creativity

What began as a suggestion in the winter of 1966 blossomed into the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, a celebrated annual event that draws over 125,000 visitors to State College and Penn State's University Park campus each July. This article explores the festival's origins, growth, and enduring impact on the region's artistic landscape.

Inception and Early Years (1966-1970)

The impetus for the festival arose from a desire to enhance State College's image and explore new artistic avenues. A State College Area Chamber of Commerce committee proposed the festival, envisioning it as a highlight of the summer season. The inaugural Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts took place from July 22-30, 1967, sponsored by the chamber and Penn State's College of Arts and Architecture.

Building Community Support

Initial planning for the nine-day festival commenced in May 1967, with collaboration between leaders from the university's art, music, and theater departments, and administrators from the College of Arts and Architecture. Organizers expressed optimism, anticipating the festival would become an annual event attracting visitors from across the eastern United States.

However, the first open planning meeting saw limited attendance. Organizers actively sought participants and competitors from an eight-county area, personally contacting regional artists and art groups, and distributing brochures and posters in surrounding counties. Advertisements in the CDT aimed to garner community support.

Government and Business Support

The festival gained the attention of Gov. Raymond Shafer, who envisioned it as a potential model for a statewide "cultural olympics." The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts provided a $2,000 grant, while downtown State College merchants contributed $1,200. Residents were encouraged to create banners to decorate College Avenue and Allen Street, adding to the festive atmosphere. A contest was launched to solicit additional banners, with winners receiving gift certificates to local businesses.

A Promising Start

Anticipation grew in early July, with the CDT editorializing that the festival promised to be an exciting event, offering something for everyone. The CDT highlighted the contributions of numerous community members in bringing the festival to fruition, encompassing fine arts, music, drama, and film art.

The Inaugural Festival

Gov. Raymond Shafer officially opened the festival on July 22, 1967, arriving by helicopter on the Old Main lawn. Accompanied by State College Mayor Chauncey Lang, university President Eric Walker, and Arts and Architecture Dean Jules Heller, Shafer cut the banner strings, officially launching the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.

Students and professionals showcased their artistic skills in daily demonstrations on Allen Street stages. Approximately 300 works were submitted for a juried exhibition. The sidewalk show on the first Saturday proved so popular that artists were permitted to set up along College Avenue throughout the week. Experimental films were screened on South Allen Street, attracting such large audiences that an extra night was added to the schedule. Jazz, band, and choral concerts, along with plays by Penn State graduate students in theater, were also featured. The Little German Band of State College performance was particularly well-received. WPSX-TV broadcast a "Festival of the Television Arts," showcasing programs about art or those using TV as an art form.

Despite almost daily rain, which forced some events indoors, the festival was considered a success.

Initial Reaction and Future Prospects

The CDT's "Good Evening!" column lauded the festival as a "smashing success," despite the uncooperative weather. The newspaper urged organizers to build upon the untapped potential of Centre County and central Pennsylvania to make future festivals even greater. Organizers estimated that 15,000 people attended the nine-day event. Heller expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the festival's success, emphasizing the importance of the creative and performing arts in the lives of the region's citizens. By the end of November, plans for the second Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts were already underway.

Read also: UW-Madison Tuition Requirements

Evolution and Growth (1971-2000)

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts underwent significant changes and growth in the following decades. In 1971, the festival introduced a juried show, enhancing the quality and professionalism of the artwork on display. A "jury" began selecting artists for the sidewalk sale, choosing 300 artists from approximately 1,000 applicants.

Organizational Development

The festival faced organizational challenges in its early years, relying heavily on volunteers and a single part-time staff member. In the early 1980s, treasurer Karen Shute established a budget and created a business advisory committee, providing a more stable financial foundation. Phil Waltz became managing director in 1991, outsourcing the publication of the festival program to Town and Gown magazine, which generated substantial advertising revenue. Waltz also introduced a ticket system, allowing visitors to support the festival by purchasing buttons that granted access to exclusive venues.

Expansion of Activities and Traditions

Over the years, the festival added numerous festivities and traditions. Children and Youth Day, a popular event where young artists could sell their work, began in 1976. The Arts Festival Race, the oldest race in Central Pennsylvania, was first run in 1975. The Downtown State College Italian Street Painting Festival, inspired by Renaissance Europe, became a favorite in 1999.

Addressing Challenges

In 1998, a riot during the festival weekend resulted in the implementation of security and crowd control measures. More than 1,500 revelers caused significant damage on Beaver Avenue, leading to over twenty arrests.

The Festival in the 21st Century (2001-Present)

Rick Bryant assumed the role of executive director in 2005, having previously volunteered for the festival since 1984. Under his leadership, the festival continued to evolve and adapt to changing times.

Read also: Westfield State University Legacy

Current Operations

Today, the festival operates year-round with a full-time staff of two people and one part-time employee. The festival relies on the staff, a volunteer board of directors, and over 500 volunteers to operate each year.

Enduring Traditions and New Initiatives

Many traditions from the early years of the festival have endured, including the Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition and the banner contest. New traditions have also emerged, such as BookFest, founded in 2009, and the Arts Festival Races, renamed in honor of Sue Crowe in 2006. The Arts Festival poster, designed by Lanny Sommese for over 30 years, has become another beloved tradition.

Adapting to the Pandemic

In 2020 and 2021, the festival was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating its adaptability and commitment to continuing its mission.

Impact and Legacy

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts has had a profound impact on the artistic landscape of Centre County. It has fostered the growth of several organizations and events, including the Central Pennsylvania Art Alliance, founded in 1968, and the Nittany Valley Symphony, formed by musicians who performed at the first festival.

Economic and Cultural Significance

Consistently ranked as one of the top outdoor fine art and fine craft shows in the nation, the Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition attracts artists and craftspeople from across the country to State College. The festival also provides a platform for regional artists through the Central Pennsylvania Division of the Sidewalk Sale.

The festival presents a diverse range of performers on outdoor and indoor stages, offering free performances and requiring a Festival button for admission to some events. Music presented covers a wide range of genres, from classical to rock to bluegrass to jazz to symphonic band.

Images, the Festival's juried gallery exhibition in the Robeson Gallery on the University Park campus of Penn State, showcases works in various media by artists from Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

tags: #state #college #arts #festival #history