The "Gallery Row: Part I - The Exhbitors" Story

My altered Polaroid print featuring PCA&D.

It was an ordinary day.  Parked my car in front of Pennsylvania College of Art & Design (PCA&D) on North Prince Street in the heart of downtown Lancaster, PA and headed south on Prince St. to visit a few of the fabulous art galleries located on what is known as Gallery Row, the 100 block of North Prince Street.  Lancaster celebrates First Friday once a month and Gallery Row is one of the prime locations for many of those who visit downtown on First Friday.  

Wall across from PCA&D telling visitors
the location of Gallery Row in Lancaster.

The city is a nationally recognized art center with PCA&D anchoring the thriving and eclectic art district.  Historic shops, art galleries, small eateries and many restored homes line the 100 block of N. Prince where the largest concentration of galleries reside in the city.  PCA&D features a Main Gallery which has not only student art, but regionally and nationally known artists and designers.  As I walked south, I did some window shopping at galleries known as as Mio Studio, City Folk Gallery, Freiman Stoltzfus, Liz Hess Gallery, Red Raven, Artisans Gallery and Christine David Fine Art Gallery.  Most offered samples in their windows of what you may find in their gallery.  A brief description of a few will follow while tomorrow I will concentrate on the Liz Hess Gallery and the magnificent painting that she is offering at silent auction with the proceeds supporting Global Disciples.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

A changeable billboard gives information about special events and artists in the many galleries along Gallery Row.

Mio Studio is to the far north end of Gallery Row, across from PCA&D.  They carry a selection of handmade one-of-a-kind jewelry and fine art.  Featured jewelry artists are Mayra Orma Muniz and Erica Millner who bring the art of San Juan Puerto Rico to the shop on Gallery Row.  

Farther south on Prince St. is City Folk Gallery which represents highly respected regional and national artists working in a variety of media.  Imaginative sculpture and decorative objects for the home share space with French and American antiques in this gallery.

Freiman Stoltzfus Gallery features work of an artist who is a native of Lancaster, PA.  Mr. Freiman was born into an Amish-Mennonite family and developed a love of travel and adventure.  He studied at the National Academy as well as Art Students League, both in New York City.  His work reflects his Amish heritage with originals, printed works, stationery, signed books and Christmas ornaments during Christmas season.   

The Red Raven offers a diverse array of artistic styles with work of local and regional artists, including Luigi Rist and CX Carlson.

Artisans Gallery is tucked along the side of another gallery and features regional and international artists working in a variety of media, including photography, oil, watercolor, jewelry and sculpture.

At the far end south end of Gallery Row stands Christiane David Gallery.  Christiane is a Belgium born artist who features an eclectic array of watercolors, acrylic and oil paintings.  Color is everywhere in her work.  Christiane received the 2006 Empire Who's Who Registry of Executives and Professionals in art.