HARRISBURG, PA — The State Museum of Pennsylvania has once again placed the spotlight on the immense talent cultivating the Commonwealth’s artistic identity. Greg Rohrer of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, has been awarded the prestigious Art of the State 2024 Purchase Award for his graphite drawing, Umberger’s of Fontana (Revisited). This stunning piece, which pays homage to Pennsylvania’s industrial past, secures its rightful place in the museum’s permanent collection, embodying the intersection of history and artistry.
Rohrer’s work is nothing short of a masterclass in craft and vision. His graphite rendering captures the stark beauty of a now-demolished industrial structure in Lebanon County, interweaving history and art with breathtaking precision. Through the piece’s intricate geometric forms, patterns, and lines, Rohrer salutes the Precisionist style of Charles Demuth, an iconic Lancaster-born artist whose legacy looms large in Pennsylvania’s creative canon. Rohrer’s vision transforms a once-functional building into a symbol of the state’s vibrant past and enduring artistic spirit.
Honoring Legacy Through Art
The Art of the State Purchase Award is about more than just accolades – it’s an enduring commitment to preserving the creative voices that shape Pennsylvania’s cultural story. From its inception in 1968, Art of the State has acted as a cultural beacon, highlighting works that resonate far beyond their frames. Rohrer’s contribution this year exemplifies the power of art to bridge the industrial grit of Pennsylvania’s bygone eras with the refined strokes of contemporary creativity.
But the celebration of creativity doesn’t end there. On Sunday, January 5th at 2:30 PM, the State Museum will host the Drawing Depth and Meaning program, where featured artists Greg Rohrer and Geoffrey Beadle of Erie—this year’s First Place recipient for Works on Paper—will unpack their techniques, inspirations, and the hidden narratives within their works. Held in the museum’s first-floor gallery, this will be a rare opportunity for art enthusiasts and casual visitors alike to engage directly with the artists shaping Pennsylvania’s creative sphere.
Art of the State 2024 and Its Enduring Impact
Each year, Art of the State offers a showcase of boundless talent, but it also represents something deeper—a testament to the Keystone State’s unwavering dedication to the arts. By curating a juried exhibition that spans generations, the State Museum continues to elevate Pennsylvanians who dare to set their ideas onto canvas, mold them into sculptures, or, in Rohrer’s case, pencil them into moments of lasting resonance.
This year’s exhibit, running through January 5, cements more than five decades of tradition while pushing the boundaries of creative expression. Featuring works that traverse mediums and meanings, Art of the State 2024 is not just an exhibit—it’s a living chronicle of Pennsylvania’s evolving creative soul.
A Partnership in Preservation
Presented in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation (PHF), Art of the State underlines the importance of collective efforts in safeguarding history through art. PHF, as the nonprofit ally of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, plays an instrumental role in ensuring the Commonwealth’s history is not only preserved but celebrated. Through its stewardship of 23 historic sites and museums and vast collections of artifacts and archives, PHF amplifies the stories that define Pennsylvania.
Why This Award Matters
To some, a graphite drawing may simply be lines on paper. To others, it is a reflection of heritage, place, and progress. Rohrer’s Umberger’s of Fontana (Revisited) does more than look back; it invites its audience to reinterpret history through an artistic lens and challenges us to preserve what remains of our shared past. It ensures that Pennsylvania’s identity—formed in the industrial shadows of the past and lit by the creativity of today—continues to burn brightly.
For Pennsylvania, this award is yet another chapter in a narrative where art doesn’t just exist—it thrives. Through exhibits like Art of the State and the continued acquisition of profound works, the State Museum of Pennsylvania reminds us that the voice of every artist, like Rohrer, echoes far beyond their chosen medium.
The call to celebrate creativity doesn’t end with recognition—this is an invitation for all Pennsylvanians to engage, support, and witness the artistry that defines us. The museum’s halls aren’t just a home for the past; they are the staging ground for the stories still to be told.
With Art of the State 2024, the legacy lives on—and the message is clear. Pennsylvania’s art is alive, evolving, and more powerful than ever.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.