By day, James Tierney is an educational consultant, math tutor, and communication coach. By night, he’s a member of the Happy Valley comedy and experiential event scenes. It’s safe to say that he spends most of his waking hours practicing improvisational techniques.

Art enthusiasts often marvel at everything from brushstrokes on a wall mural to thread patterns in an intricate quilt, and rarely does it stop there. The desire to create is universal, whether with words, brushes, hands, or lens. Thankfully, Happy Valley has several outlets for you to do just that.

This summer, there are plenty of opportunities to drop in and get to know the new Palmer Museum of Art. Explore the new building with a Palmer guide and enjoy an introduction to the newly reinstalled permanent collection, along with a brief introduction to two special exhibitions.

Maker spaces and make-and-take venues throughout Happy Valley offer a great opportunity for travelers to express their creative side while visiting the region. The Rivet, a 5,000-square-foot community workshop just outside of downtown State College lets visitors explore a wide variety of mediums and “Make Anything.”

Visitors to Happy Valley should get excited about all the small-venue live music available, in addition to the big shows at the Bryce Jordan Center or in Beaver Stadium. Travelers might be surprised to know that the live music scene here is bigger than meets the eye, with great local and visiting acts at venues in many #HappyValleyPA communities.

This week’s concert on Friday, June 28, will feature the Nittany Valley Wranglers, a group of singers, guitarists, bassists, and rhythm players who will entertain you with bluegrass and lots of good music. Concerts take place on the Lemont Village Green and start at 7:30 pm.

A new large-scale art installation in a tucked-away municipal lot in Bellefonte has quickly become a destination for Happy Valley residents and visitors alike.

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.

Tempest Productions presents the 7th Annual Central Pa Theatre and Dance Fest starting June 20th and continuing until June 23, 2024.