The "Gunzenhauser Bakery: Part II: From Bread To The Arts" Story

April Koppenhaver as seen on her business card.

It was an ordinary day.  April Koppenhaver is standing with me in one of the many rooms of Mulberry Art Studios at 19-21 N. Mulberry Street in downtown Lancaster, PA.  We are talking about days past when she first opened her gallery and art studio in the old Gunzenhauser Bakery building on Mulberry Street.  On Wednesday, March 30, 1988 there was a photo of her in the Lancaster New Era standing in front of a city warehouse that she hoped to convert into an art center.  She was hoping to convert the warehouse at 19 N. Mulberry St. into studios and gallery space for about 48 artists.  The warehouse was at one time home to the Gunzenhauser Bakery and later Harold's Furniture warehouse.  

Newspaper photo showing April in
front of 19 N. Mulberry Street.

It was in need of new heating, electrical wiring, plumbing and security system before she could open it to the public.  She had figured it would cost close to $600,000 for the repairs and she was hoping for investors to assist her.  She was preparing for a mixture of artists if and when she could open the studio.  There was about 18,000 square feet of space that would be dedicated for the arts.  The 16 foot high ceilings and hardwood floors made for an ideal art center.  She chose Lancaster for her project or vision since it has an abundance of talented artists as well as residents who love the arts.  Her vision eventually came to fruition and for years was home of the Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards.  I helped with the judging and setting up of the Scholastic Arts show for many years when I was teaching Graphic Arts and Photography Arts at Manheim Township High School.  

19-21 N. Mulberry St. as seen today.

I remem- bered the kind woman who would help in any way she could to make the show a top notch draw for the students in Lancaster County.  That happens to be the same woman whom I am standing next to today.  The Mulberry Art Studios has come a long way from what it was in 1988.  It now is not only a top-notch place to display artwork, but a beautiful and unique environment for weddings and like events.  

Mulberry Art Studio's new plaque.

April showed me a plaque that she had just received  for the Award of Achievement from the Lancaster City Alliance marking her 30th Anniversary for Mulberry Art Studios.   The building we are standing in has also come a long way over the past century.  To celebrate that event there is a display of Gunzenhauser Bakery memorability in one of the galleries of Mulberry Art Studios.  My day was a success getting to meet April once again as well as catching up on past history of the city of Lancaster.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.