Penn's Woods Painters

Community Service

 

2006 Harrisburg Symphony
Show House

In 2006, PWP undertook its most comprehensive project ever – designing and painting three rooms for Harrisburg Symphony’s ShowHouse and Gardens Tour. The chapter was asked to participate in this triannual fundraiser, where local decorators vie to be selected to design a room. Harrisburg Symphony, a part of the Allied Arts Fund, provided exposure for PWP in the arts community. The entire tour included a 22 room historic mansion, tenant house, and massive grounds overlooking the Susquehanna River.

A planning committee began in late 2005 on themes for rooms in the tenant house. An Old World concept was selected for the living room incorporating faux finished walls, faux molding, a ceiling medallion, individual vignettes, strokework and antiquing a paneled fireplace and cabinetry. A mural of the mansion was painted on one wall.

As the original property was a part of William Penn’s land, a tree of life was painted over the fireplace with a quote of William Penn of his first sight of his promised land in 1682, “ From whence the air smelt as sweet as a new-blown GARDEN. . . Thy God bringeth thee into a good land,” 

The chapter president’s theme “planting seeds within the chapter” was furthered by a garden theme in another room, as well as enabling members of all levels of painting to grow through learning new techniques which could be utilized in their own pursuits.

A powder room was restored using an original design on multi-layered tissue paper as wallpaper.

The garden room was filled with varied flowers in a natural setting. A peacock strutted; a deer nestled under a dogwood tree. Flowers and small animals peeked out from stonewalls; picket fences and birdhouses surrounded a garden. A chair rested by a tumbling brook and fountain. Hidden throughout were “treasures” – shapes of musical instruments within the scenery for the visitor to find. 

The artists began with an old house in disrepair and created a beautiful masterpiece showing the versatility of decorative painting. Members began by cleaning abandoned rooms, preparing walls, adding light fixtures. The project gave members, of all painting levels, the opportunity to be a part of the creation from wall prepping, designing, and learning techniques. Members could paint onsite or paint medallions at home.

In addition to the restoration of rooms, PWP participated as a vendor in Symphony’s boutique. Individual member’s items were sold with 25% of sales of $890 donated to the Symphony. PWP also supported the tour by selling $1,800 in advance tickets, the most sold by any supporting organization.

Involvement in the restoration of the 1825 mansion provided community exposure for the local SDP chapter and the opportunity to show decorative art as a viable art medium. The multiple tasks needed gave an opportunity for everyone and inspired a feeling or accomplishment and comradeship among the painters.

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