City: Gettysburg, PA

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Telephone: (717) 334-7950

Description: The work of artists, sculptors, authors, and artisans is presented at this show, and all eras of American history are represented—the colonial era, the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, the Civil War, the American West, WWI, and WWII. You can also enjoy the art of other genres—aviation art, wildlife paintings and sculpture, Native American prints—as you stroll from gallery to gallery. History Meets the Arts was first held in April 1998 when a group of galleries in town decided to put on a cooperative show with each gallery hosting its own artist(s) on the same weekend. The show was an instant success and has continued to be so year after year. Some of the participating artists come back annually and have quite a following, with the artists often creating special works just for the show. Although attendance figures aren’t available since it’s a free show where people stroll from venue to venue, the event does fill the hotel rooms in town, so be sure to call early for your accommodations. The show draws visitors from all over as well as Gettysburg. Since each gallery decides for itself which artist(s) it will showcase, the type of art presented varies each year. One gallery may be presenting Native American art, another Civil War prints, another wildlife sculptures . . . the possibilities are endless, and this is what keeps the locals as well as visitors returning every year. Past participating artisans include Tom Freeman, whose artwork hangs in the White House and the Vatican, John Barrett, weapons safety instructor for Mel Gibson’s film The Patriot, and Joseph L. Galloway, coauthor of We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young, which was made into the movie We Were Soldiers, starring Mel Gibson. Dale Gallon, John Paul Strain, and Keith Rocco are other renowned artists who usually participate in the show.