Adams County Arts Council

It's never too late to pick up a brush! 🎨

Check out this post from the Gettysburg Foundation highlighting how Dwight D. Eisenhower discovered painting later in life and found both enjoyment and relaxation through the creative process. A great reminder that artistic journeys can begin at any age.

Did you know Dwight D. Eisenhower found relaxation through painting? 🎨

Unlike many artists, Eisenhower didn’t begin painting until he was nearly 60 years old. While working closely with Winston Churchill during World War II, Churchill, an avid painter himself, encouraged Ike to take up a hobby. Eisenhower first picked up a paintbrush in 1948 while serving as president of Columbia University, and he continued painting throughout his presidency. In his Gettysburg home, Ike’s favorite place to paint was the sun porch, where he could enjoy natural light, take in views of the battlefield, and unwind at home. Today, visitors can tour the Eisenhower home and view some of his paintings on display.

📸 Photo courtesy of Eisenhower Presidential Library

The 22nd Annual Juried Art Exhibit at ACAC was an outstanding success! Community members gathered at the Arts Education Center to celebrate the exceptional work of local and regional artists.

Congratulations to this year’s award winners:

Best of Show: Chris Gold, Portrait of a Columbine
2nd Place: Joh Ricci, Crescita
3rd Place: Ray Buchheister, Candula & Grandmother’s Bowl
4th Place: John Guarnera, Vase-Graffiti Series
5th Place: Emily Clarke, Howard Avenue, 2023
Judie Butterfield Award: Jack Handshaw, Pomegranate
Blick Art Materials Award: Robyn Jacobs, Lavender and Yellow
Landscape Award: Madeleine Greenwald, Echoes of the Past
People’s Choice Award: Morgan Corbin, West Manheim Summer

Thank you to our generous sponsors: Scott and Co Fine Jewelers, WellSpan Health, Graphcom, Celebrate Gettysburg, Land Conservancy of Adams County, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Barley Snyder, Kristine Witherow, Harvest Investment Services, and Blick Art Materials.

We also express our appreciation to Buzz Jones Band, Lisa Cordiano, Wendy Heiges, Debbie Westmoreland, Lynn James Kirby, Julie Muenzfeld, Pauline Levan, Terri Byers, and Keith Petters of Blue & Gray Bar & Grill, and our volunteers.

The exhibit will remain on display throughout June at the Arts Education Center. Be sure to stop by and experience this incredible collection of artwork!

If you can't make it to the 22nd Annual Juried Art Exhibit tonight, we're going live at 6:00 pm for the awards ceremony!

At ACAC, we've always believed everyone can benefit from the arts, and the science is there to back it up! A new study from University College London suggests that engaging with the arts is linked to slower biological aging. In fact, people who participate at least once a week may age 4% more slowly than those who don’t!

And it's never too late to start. We offer discounted senior memberships that reduce costs for classes, plus scholarships for low-income individuals 62+ that completely cover the cost of classes. Check out our website or call us for more information!

Engaging with the arts linked to slower aging at the biological level Regularly taking part in arts activities such as reading, listening to music or visiting a gallery or museum may slow the pace of biological aging, suggests a new study by University College London (UCL) researchers.

Looking for a creative way to spend June? 🎨

Join us at ACAC for a variety of hands-on classes and workshops:

• Beginner/Intermediate Architectural Illustration with Cory Drake (June 6–27, 10 am-12 pm)
• Make a Bee, Honeycomb, or Lady Bug with Chris Parker (June 11, 5:30 pm-8:30 pm)
• Basic Beginner Crochet with Cathy Woodson (June 12–26, 6 pm-7 pm)
• Garden Bird Bath Workshop with Spencer Dofflemyer (June 17, 5 pm-8 pm)
• Paint a Tray with Spencer Dofflemyer (June 26, 5-8 pm)

Whether you're exploring a new hobby or building your skills, there's something for everyone!

For details and registration, visit adamsarts.org or call ACAC at 717-334-5006.

ACAC is getting ready for the 22nd Annual Juried Art Exhibition! 🎨

This year’s exhibition will be held at the Arts Education Center, and preparations are underway to welcome our community and the talented artists whose work will be on display. Take a sneak peek at some of the pieces being installed for both the Juried Art Exhibition and the Juried Art Exhibition Committee Show!

Join us on Friday, June 5, to see even more incredible artwork and celebrate the talented artists in our community!

🖼️ Opening Reception – 4:30 PM
🏆 Awards Ceremony – 6:00 PM
🥂 Toast the Artists – 7:00–9:00 PM

Take a look at the June 2026 schedule for Arts Oasis on Lincoln Square! Enjoy another month of local musicians in the heart of Gettysburg.

Thank you again to our season sponsors for making this possible: Guernsey Beat Records, J. William Warehime Foundation, Pennsylvania Creative Industries, and Robert C. Hoffman Charitable Endowment Trust.