Artists exhibit their works at the 50th annual Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show

Despite some early morning rain showers, art lovers still turned out on Sunday for the final day of the 50th annual Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show.

Hundreds of artists from all walks of life display their works of art made from paint, metal, wood, fabric and more throughout the Chautauqua grounds, for visitors to stop and chat with and watch the artists as some are already busy working on their next piece.

Hundreds of exhibitors displayed their art in covered booths, engaged in discussions with visitors who stopped to look at their art, and some quietly worked on their next piece while visitors strolled through the artists’ aisles.

Altan Erginkoc was one of those who did both. He was working on his next work, but every now and then he stopped to chat with the people who came under his tent to look at his living works.

Erginkoc, originally from Turkey but now living in Maryland, makes lamps and lighting fixtures out of pumpkins. His idea was inspired by his teachers and friends, as well as his work in the construction industry.

Because of the varying thickness of the pumpkins, working on one lamp can take between one and three days, he said.

“They are more sustainable and environmentally friendly,” he said.

This was his second year at the Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show, his fifth year showing his work more generally at art shows. He said he used the opportunity to network, promote his alternative to traditional plastic lamp and lighting covers, and his ability to have bespoke work made.

Food vendors were set up under a large tent among the trees and performers, while beer, wine and mead were served just outside the Hall of Philosophy. The live bands that performed under a tent throughout the day could be heard throughout the Chautauqua grounds, mixed with the chirping of birds and cicadas.

Throughout the exhibition, banners and art installations commemorated the 50th year of the art exhibition and reminded exhibition visitors why 2024 has been declared the “Year of the Arts” in Lebanon County.

Photographer Matthew Weiss of Mechanicsburg was one of the newcomers to this year’s art show. He exhibited in one of the 10 booths reserved specifically for emerging artists and open to them free of charge. Although Weiss was bringing his art for the first time, he was not a newcomer to the Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show, having attended before as a patron.

He began his journey into photography during the pandemic and specializes in insect and wildlife photography. This is Weiss’ first summer showing his art at art shows, having already exhibited at two others prior to Mount Gretna.

“I would say it’s the best of the three shows I’ve done. I think the other shows didn’t have an admission charge or anything, and this show seems more like everyone is here for the art and not just looking but buying art. It was a really good show.”

Around noon, arts visitors flocked to the Mount Gretna Playhouse to watch the first Mt. Gretna International Film Festival.

Mt Gretna International Film Festival

Hosted by former WGAL Channel 8 news anchor Kim Lemon, films were presented in five categories: comedy, documentary/video essay, horror/thriller, drama and high school. After each category’s screening, awards were announced for first, second and third place winners.

After the performances, the “Craft”, “Hometown Spotlight”, “Audience Award” and the “Vita Maxima Award” for the best show were presented.

comedy

1st place: Birds of a feather flock togetherDirected by Katie Cobos

2nd place: Final shiftDirector: Chris Mazza

3rd place: Constant careDirector: Michelle Dubovitsky

Documentary/Video Essay

1st place: Waiting for Onna PunchDirector: Victoria Wilcox

2nd place: Making Mary Poppins a Broadway story for SENIORSDirector: Greg Feinberg

3rd place: The riverDirector: Andrea B. Campbell

Horror/Thriller

1st place: The MonsterDirector: Chris Ruppert

2nd place: absolutionDirector: Jill Yapsuga

3rd place: The clockDirector: Ben Wenger

drama

1st place: Special by natureDirector: Peter Fenton

2nd place: StandstillDirector: Ryan Manuud

3rd place: What makes the trip worthwhileDirector: Logan Desris

Secondary school

1st place Location: Night before graduationDirected by Riya Agarwal and Julie Cioffi

2nd place: Jennah, the JewelDirector: Ashton Cripps

3rd place: CrumbsDirector: Cohen Cantrell

Hometown Spotlight Award

The Homestown Spotlight Award went to Jeremy Kessler of Lancaster County for Lingershown in the Drama category.

Craft prices

The craft prizes were awarded as follows: Letter: absolution; Camera: Waiting for Onna Punch; Acting: Stand Despite it; Sound design: Birds of a feather flock together; Editing: The clock; Director: Final shift.

Audience Award

The Audience Award went to Night before graduationDirected by Riya Agarwal and Julie Cioffi

Vita Maxima Prize

The Vita Maxima Award was given for the best show and was presented by the family of Michael Evan Deitzler, in whose memory the film festival was organized.

The first Vita Maxima Award was given to director Katie Cobos for her film “Birds of a Feather,” an animated comedy about a talking parrot who tries to befriend a boy with Tourette syndrome.

Before the award ceremony a short video title The Greatest Life: The Story of Michael Evan Deitzler, was shown to celebrate the life of Michael Evan Deitzler, his love for life, his family and the community of Mount Gretna, and his dream of one day hosting a film festival in Mount Gretna.

“He was the mastermind behind all of this,” said Vicki Deitzler. “Because it was his idea. It was something he wanted to do at some point.”

Daniel Larlham Jr. is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. You can reach him at [email protected] or on X @djlarlham.