Here in Happy Valley, we have a rich arts community with creations waiting to be discovered. Local opportunities abound in Centre County to view both historic pieces and modern creations while receiving inspiration for your very own works of art. Whether you enjoy walking beside a building mural, taking a garden stroll with marble statues, or gallery hopping with local art at your fingertips (without making fingerprints, right?), something is inspiring about spending a weekend taking in the arts.

The State College Art Walk and University Park

Let’s start at the heart of Happy Valley. The Downtown State College Art Walk has 37 different stops where you can view murals, sculptures, statues, pop art, stained glass, and more. Favorite stops include:

• Centennial Pigs by Artist Eric Berg (located just outside The Tavern, so you might as well grab a bite to eat),
• Inspiration: State College by Artists Michael Pilato & Yuri Karabash
• St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Windows by Artist Henry Lee Willet

Of course, those are barely scratching the surface of the artistic sites offered throughout the tour, so grab your map online or at The Happy Valley Store at 204 W. Beaver Ave. in State College, PA and start where it all began, The Centennial Fountain at 241 S. Fraser St.

Everyone knows about the Palmer Art Museum and the Nittany Lion shrine, but the Class of 2013 left a memorable gift on Penn State’s campus. Located at the intersection of Curtin Rd. and University Dr. the We Are Statue was crafted by alumnus Jonathan Cramer. The 12-foot dynamic statue embodies the memories of every Penn State student, parent, alumni, and community member, who need no further prompting to recount the storied chants of “We are… Penn State!”

Bellefonte

Venture a bit outside Happy Valley’s Penn State campus and State College downtown, and you’ll discover plenty of opportunities to take in local art. Bellefonte was home to Artist George Grey Barnard (1863-1938) who created the Abraham Lincoln sculpture. This 1917 sculpture has a
history as varied as its artist. Its realism was ahead of its time and caused quite a stir, even in Barnard’s own family. The full Lincoln statue stands in Lytle Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, while the bronze bust of Lincoln stands on a marble pedestal in one of Bellefonte’s trademark locations, Talleyrand Park, as a tribute to his hometown.

Thanks to community member Amy Debach’s relentless efforts spearheading a mural project in downtown Bellefonte, a five-year vision has become a reality. After committees, surveys, legal work, and the like, brushstrokes flew in May on the community’s first large-scale public art — a mural by artists KEY DETAIL of New York City on the back of 123 S. Allegheny Street. The project was led by Downtown Bellefonte Inc., a community revitalization organization.

Rhoneymeade

Rhoneymeade Arboretum & Sculpture Garden is a tranquil garden filled with sculptures and surrounded by nature. Rhoneymeade is located in Centre Hall, nestled between the Nittany and Tussey Mountains. They host exhibitions, such as the upcoming one featuring Austin Van Allen July 3 – August 22, and have permanent sculptures available for visitors any time. Budding artists can join with an artist membership and be inspired by the surrounding beauty while creating their own.

Millheim

The Millheim town mural is located in Millheim as well on the side of Elk Creek Café + Aleworks. PSU alumna Elody Gyekis both designed and created the mural, which represents the best of Penns Valley depicting “Pride in the Past, Love of Place, Hope for the Future.” Pop into the popular restaurant for a refreshing brew or a musical event — your artistic side will be inspired.

While the opportunities above are more than enough to give you a weekend of artsy touring, it doesn’t mean you should stop there. Jump in the car for a scenic 30-minute drive further into Centre County and you’ll be glad you did.