TheBurg

A s the summer heat descends upon Harrisburg, many midstaters pack up their suitcases and sunscreen and head for the surf, sand and sea. Fortunately, for those who are staycationing it by the Susquehanna this steamy season, a free voyage awaits in the shadow of our own Capitol, at the State Museum. As Marcel Proust once said, "e real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes." On display through early September, right here in our own backyard, your eyes can be opened as you take in 130 original paintings, sculptures, photographs and three-dimensional crafts from 119 Pennsylvania artists. is is the landmark 50th year of the annual "Art of the State" exhibit, proving that life begins at 50. More than 20 artists in the exhibit hail from Dauphin and Cumberland counties, including eBurg's own Aron Rook, the magazine's former chief illustrator, and a first-time entrant in "Art of the State." Her piece, entitled "Gold Bond, Because Silver Linings Don't Mean Sh*t," is wood-burn, acrylic and gold leaf on an antique wood panel. e piece reflects both "strength and vulnerability," Rook explained, with two mirroring figures who have placed their hearts where their heads are. "ey are deteriorating, they have become disconnected," she said. "Yet, in all their decay, they are surrounded by golden light." Another local artist who dazzles is Nicole Dube, a Carlisle-based photographer whose picture of "Miranda" depicts a pensive young teen. "at kind of melancholy—you don't expect a 14-year-old to have such deep thoughts, such a burden on her shoulders," Dube said. "You rarely see that kind of weightiness." Harrisburg's award-winning street photographer Karen Commings' entry is a full-color photograph of a bicyclist zipping down 2nd Street in Harrisburg in the pouring rain, the green of the streetlights glowing in the gray mist. "I always appreciate the beauty of Harrisburg and seeing it wet," said Commings, a long-time member of the Harrisburg Camera Club. "I just hope people will appreciate the beauty of the street, and I hope it makes them happy to look at it," NeW eXCiteMeNt Harrisburg-based artist Jeff Wiles had an impressive three pieces accepted into the exhibit this year. "Regardless of the style of photography, it's always my hope that I establish an emotional connection with the viewer," Wiles said. "A good image will hold the eye, prompt interpretation and be memorable." Dube said that her favorite piece in the exhibit is Wiles' photograph entitled "Four Worlds," which shows four Milton Hershey School students on a bus, each so close in proximity, yet so far apart in spirit. State Museum Director Beth Hager said the show is an "interesting mix, juxtaposed against each other." With different judges, and featuring everything from rocking chairs and jewelry to pottery and portraits, the show changes dramatically from year to year. This show features a f irst-time award from the docents, she noted, which is triggering new excitement. "Pennsylvania has a rich artist tradition," Hager said. "Historically, Pennsylvania has been a mecca for artists." CuLture

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