During the month of April, a selection of charming bed and breakfasts throughout Lancaster County will display the work of a local artist in their common rooms for overnight guests to enjoy. Read on to learn more about the featured B&Bs and artists, plus special overnight offers!
Plus, the public is invited to explore exclusive exhibits at all participating B&Bs during Open House Sundays, April 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 1-5 p.m. Each B&B is assigned to a regional trail; see below for links to trail directions, or if you'd prefer, view all Open House Sunday trails and their B&Bs at a quick glance!
After Eight Bed & Breakfast
2942 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise
717-687-3664
www.aftereightbnb.com
Featured artist: Mrs. Penn's Jewelry & Rock Shoppe
www.mrspenn.com
After Eight Bed & Breakfast, an elegant and tastefully decorated 185-year-old colonial brick home set amidst Amish farmland in Paradise, will exhibit jewelry from Mrs. Penn's Jewelry & Rock Shoppe. The pieces are created in sterling silver and karat gold and often incorporate genuine stones and pearls. With a selection of one of a kind stone bead necklaces and bracelets, any idea can become a reality in this beautiful and unique jewelry. A wonderful selection of custom cut stones for display and attunement will also be exhibited.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors all four Sundays. Meet the artists, silversmiths Shirley and Bob Weinberg. Refreshments will be served. Central Trail directions.
Special Wednesday night open house offer: Stay two or more nights, including a Wednesday night, and receive a special pass to the private “by invitation only" Wednesday night art exhibits at select B&Bs.
Additional overnight offer: Guests staying for two nights, from any Sunday - Thursday in April ‘08, will receive the 2nd night for 50% off.
Apple Bin Inn
2835 Willow Street Pike N., Willow Street
717-464-5881
www.applebininn.com
Featured artist: Carol Oldenburg
www.carololdenburg.com
Acclaimed artist Carol Oldenburg will exhibit original paintings throughout the Apple Bin Inn, a charming 1865 bed and breakfast just four miles south of downtown Lancaster. Oldenburg's soft yet vibrant use of color in landscapes and florals gives the viewer a tranquil and inviting place to escape. Her equally masterful portraits have a nationwide clientele. A resident of York, PA, her works have been collected, exhibited and published internationally. In 2004, she was honored at a White House reception with Laura Bush for her contributions to the "Art in the Embassies Program."
Open House Sundays: During all four open houses, Ms. Oldenburg will paint on location and meet with visitors. Open house visitors will also be offered a coupon worth $20 off any future two-night stay during 2008. Southern Trail directions.
Special overnight offer: Overnight guests at the inn will receive $20 off a 2-night midweek stay in April (Sunday - Thursday). Overnight guests may also enter to win the artist's signed print, "Lauxmont as it Was,” which is a view of the Susquehanna River toward Lancaster County.
Artist’s Inn & Gallery
117 East Main Street, Terre Hill
717-445-0219
www.artistinn.com
Featured artist: Mayra Orama Muñiz and Erica Millner from Mio Studio
www.miostudio.com
Recycling rough materials into miniature sculptures meant to be worn, Mio Studio crafts new life from exotic hardwoods and precious metals. Artist’s Inn & Gallery, a romantic inn nestled amongst the hills and Amish farmland in Terre Hill, will exhibit the work of Mio Studio’s artists, Mayra Orama Muñiz and Erica Millner. The two hand carve and sand each piece from to start to finish, using their years of experience to meld remnants and scraps together into clean, modern designs.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors all four Sundays. Artist Mayra Orama Muñiz will be at the April 6 open house. Northeast Trail directions.
Special offer: Enjoy 15% savings on Bruce Garrabrandt's artwork when you visit The Artist's Inn & Gallery.
Australian Walkabout Inn
837 Village Road, Lancaster
717-464-0707
www.walkaboutinn.com
Featured artist: Kevin Lehman
www.klpottery.com
Australian Walkabout Inn, a cozy, romantic 1925 converted Mennonite farm-style home in Lancaster, will feature artwork from Kevin Lehman, who creates both contemporary ceramics and traditional redware pottery, among many others. Lehman concentrates much of his attention to large works of pottery, such as colossal jars, tile fireplaces, grand wall décor and large exterior sculptures.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors all four Sundays. Meet artist Kevin Lehman at the Sunday, April 6 open house. Southern Trail directions.
Special overnight offers: Stay a Friday and Saturday night in April and get Sunday night at ½ off. Also, overnight guests can enjoy breakfast with the artist on the morning of April 6.
Bird-in-Hand Village Inn & Suites
2695 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand
717-768-1535
www.bird-in-hand.com/villageinn
Featured artist: Liz Hess
www.lizhess.com
The origin of this historic inn, built in 1734, is responsible for the naming of the unique town. The inn is located on the north side of Route 340, the Old Philadelphia Pike, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors to the lobby of the historic inn will be treated to an exhibit of countryside landscapes from Lancaster County artist Liz Hess. Hess, fourth child of Mennonite missionaries, was born in Honduras, Central America. Returning home in the early 1970s, she grew up in Lancaster County. The artist she idolizes most is the Master Painter Himself.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors all four Sundays. Central Trail directions.
Special overnight offer: Stay at the inn for any 2 consecutive nights (Sunday - Wednesday) during the month of April and receive a $40 Bird-in-Hand gift card.
Cameron Estate Inn
1855 Mansion Lane, Mount Joy
717-492-0111 or 888-422-6376
www.cameronestateinn.com
Featured artist: James V. Freeman
www.isadore-gallery.com
James V. Freeman’s luminous oil paintings will be exhibited at the historic Cameron Estate Inn, which offers luxurious accommodations in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Freeman’s paintings offer viewers a tour of places he visits in his sleep. This highly-honored artist’s paintings are a blending of landscape and still life with a playful distortion of scale. Tiny close objects are dramatically enlarged and share the same picture plane with large forms in the distance. Natural objects are personified and assume the poses of figurative shapes. Background grays and body tints are charged with isolated brilliant color. Ladders and wires guide the viewer traveling through this fantasy world. Freeman was classically trained as an illustrator, and has been active in the Pennsylvania art scene since moving here from the Midwest in 1999.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors all four Sundays. Northwest Trail directions.
Cherished Pearl Bed and Breakfast
770 Chestnut Street, Honey Brook
717-273-2312
www.thecherishedpearl.com
Featured artist: Elaine Brady Smith
www.elainebradysmith.com
Built in the early 1870s by a wealthy farmer, the Cherished Pearl B&B is one of Honey Brook’s Victorian gems, and is the site for an exhibit by artist Elaine Brady Smith. A graphic arts graduate of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, artist Elaine Brady Smith has also studied calligraphy, fraktur, and decorative painting. More recently, she discovered the world of collage and mixed media art, and began working with acrylics, found objects, ephemera and experimental paint techniques. She has had numerous exhibits, including at The Art Association of Harrisburg where she won two first place awards for Mixed Media.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors for the April 6, 20 & 27 open houses. Meet the artist during these times. Northeast Trail directions.
Special overnight offer: During April ’08, stay two nights, Sunday-Thursday and save 50% off the third consecutive night OR stay three nights, Sunday - Thursday and receive the fourth consecutive night free.
Churchtown Inn Bed & Breakfast
2100 Main St., Churchtown
717-445-7794 or 800-637-4446
www.churchtowninn.com
Featured artist: Lillie Fernback
Artist Lillie Fernback will be exhibiting her work at Churchtown Inn B&B, a beautifully restored 18th century fieldstone mansion, listed on the National Historic Register. Fernback has been painting for 35 years in a backyard studio overlooking her garden and an Amish farm. Through the use of a variety of media, including watercolors oils and photography, she emphasizes color and the essence of an image. Her favorite subjects include florals, landscapes, water and snow scenes. Fernback studied at Millersville University and with various local artists.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitiors all four Sundays. Northeast Trail directions.
E.J. Bowman House
2672 Lititz Pike, Lancaster
717-519-0808 or 877-519-1776
www.ejbowmanhouse.com
Featured artist: James Sulkowski
www.livinglightgallery.com
Artist James Sulkowski’s award winning still life oil paintings honoring those of the Dutch Masters will be exhibited in this elegantly-appointed 1860s Italianate Victorian family house. In his landscapes, still lifes, portraits and murals, Sulkowski attempts to reveal the universal and the beautiful elements found in the world around us. Like the Masters, he believes that capturing the inner essence of his subject is as important as painting the eternal mask. He painstakingly prepares all of his own materials by hand, consulting Renaissance formulas to make his own gessoed panels and lead-ground canvases, and grinding his paints from powdered pigments in oils and varnishes. This method contributes to the lasting value and permanence of his works of art.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors all four Sundays. Central Trail directions.
Special Wednesday night open house offer: Stay two or more nights, including a Wednesday night, and receive a special pass to the private “by invitation only" Wednesday night art exhibits at select B&Bs.
Additional overnight offer: Stay 2 nights (Sunday - Thursday) and get 25% off your 2nd night’s stay OR make your most reasonable offer!
The Hertzog Homestead B&B
470 West Metzler Road, Ephrata
717-859-4996
www.hertzoghomestead.com
Featured artist: Mary-Louise Biasotti Hooper
www.hooperart.com
The "slightly expressionistic" art of Mary-Louise Biasotti Hooper's "Lover's Travels" paintings will be on exhibit at the Hertzog Homestead B&B, a gorgeous 1786 stone farmhouse that's been in the family for nine generations. The B&B, which is an excellent example of early Mennonite architecture, with its deep window sills and built-in Bible closet, will provide an idyllic setting for Hooper's work, which the artist says she paints " to bring viewers a moment of respite and beauty in their stressful lives by taking them away to another place." Internationally-acclaimed, she says, " I paint what stirs my spirit and hope it is spiritually fulfilling to the viewer."
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors all four Sundays. The artist will be in attendace on April 6 from 1-5 p.m. and April 27 from 3-5 p.m. Northeast Trail directions.
The Inn at Twin Linden
2092 Main Street, Churchtown
717-445-7619
www.innattwinlinden.com
Featured artist: Galerie Michelle's Michelle Spiziri from Spiziri Art Group
www.spiziriartgroup.com
The Inn at Twin Linden, a luxurious restored 1800s country estate among the village of Churchtown, will be exhibiting the artwork of Spiziri Art Group, represented by Galerie Michelle's Michelle Spiziri. Spiziri Art Group & Galerie Michelle provide original and high end reproduction art to corporations, small businesses, and individuals who are interested in both adding to their art collection or beginning one. Many of the artists are established professionals who have shown nationally and internationally and have been recognized as outstanding artists and contributors to society.
Open House Sundays: Meet Galerie Michelle owner Michelle Spiziri at each of the open houses. Northeast Trail directions.
Special Wednesday night open house offer: Stay two or more nights, including a Wednesday night, and receive a special pass to the private “by invitation only" Wednesday night art exhibits at select B&Bs.
Additional overnight offer: Stay 1 midweek night (Sunday - Thursday) in April ‘08, and get 50% off your 2nd night’s stay.
.jpg "King's Cottage B&B")
King’s Cottage B&B
1049 East King Street, Lancaster
717-397-1017
www.kingscottagebb.com
Featured artist: Liz Hess
www.lizhess.com
King's Cottage, an elegant 1937 Spanish mansion residing within downtown Lancaster, will feature the Red Umbrella collection by Liz Hess. Hess travels abroad annually to paint on location, explores beautiful destinations and captures each with her paint brush. The Red Umbrella series, which was created during one of her trips, follows a solitary figure with a red umbrella throughout locales such as Tuscany, Provence, Paris, London, and other areas.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors all four Sundays. Central Trail directions.
Special Wednesday night open house offer: Stay two or more nights, including a Wednesday night, and receive a special pass to the private “by invitation only" Wednesday night art exhibits at select B&Bs.
Additional overnight offer: When staying two more more nights (including a Wednesday night), also receive $50 off your stay.
Lititz House B&B
301 N. Broad Street, Lititz
717-626-5299 or 800-464-6764
www.lititzhouse.com
Featured artist: Dorothy Frey
dorothyfrey@yahoo.com
Artist Dorothy Frey grew up on a dairy farm in Lancaster County and says that “the lay of the land, the trees, grasses, and open space are the configurations I seek for paintings and drawings.” Her work will be exhibited at this beautiful old Colonial Revival home, which was built in 1904 and has the original, stunning chestnut woodwork and pocket doors that were common in turn of the century homes. Frey’s ambition in drawing and painting is to connect three influences: the Formal Issues of Art, Art History, and the memory of her agrarian background. “Nature is my most profound inspiration and painting from perception is a means of articulating that inspiration, my sentiments and ideas,” she shares. Frey studied painting and drawing at Millersville University and American University. This collection of paintings was all done on-site from the farm where she grew up in Lancaster.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors all four Sundays. Central Trail directions.
Special Wednesday night open house offer: Stay two or more nights, including a Wednesday night, and receive a special pass to the private “by invitation only" Wednesday night art exhibits at select B&Bs.
Additional overnight offer: Stay 2 nights (Sunday - Thursday) during April ’08 and get the 3rd night free.
Lovelace Manor B&B
2236 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster
717-399-3275 or 866-713-6384
www.lovelacemanor.com
Featured artist: Phyllis Koster
www.phylliskosterart.com
Described by the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County as one of the more elegant examples of the Second Empire style domestic architecture in Lancaster, this 1882 B&B will be the site for an exhibit of Phyllis Koster’s hand-dyed and hand woven wall hangings. Koster has been weaving for 30 years, and now delves into the meanings behind the images that she weaves. “Compositions are now more about dramatic and evocative possibilities than a record of a place. Colors have also changed from the somber “real” colors of the earth to hues that more express how I feel about the object or the scene” says Phyllis.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors for the April 6, 20 & 27 open houses, with refreshments. Meet the artist at the April 6 open house. Central Trail directions.
Special Wednesday night open house offer: Stay two or more nights, including a Wednesday night, and receive a special pass to the private “by invitation only" Wednesday night art exhibits at select B&Bs.
Additional overnight offer: Visit www.LovelaceManor.com for a coupon for $50 off a two-night stay that includes a Wednesday during April ’08.
Mt. Gretna Inn B&B
16 Kauffman Avenue, Mt. Gretna
717-964-3234 or 800-277-6602
www.mtgretnainn.com
Featured artist: Judy W. Smith
www.livinglightgallery.com
Judy W. Smith’s award winning watercolors, pastels and mixed mediums will be exhibited at this Arts & Crafts style inn where the elegance of days gone by is framed by Mt. Gretna’s whispering pines. Smith, a local artist, enjoys surprising and delighting the viewer with colors that are truly there, but not always obvious. Her use of color is strong and intense. Smith’s still lifes and figures are influenced by her daily life in Lancaster County. She has received dozens of awards and is included in numerous public and private collections.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors all four Sundays. Northwest Trail directions.
Special Wednesday night open house offer: Stay two or more nights, including a Wednesday night, and receive a special pass to the private “by invitation only" Wednesday night art exhibits at select B&Bs.
Musser's Bed & Breakfast
56 Main St., New Providence
717-786-8974
www.mussersbedandbreakfast.com
Featured artist: Pam Hults
www.prayingmantisfolkartstudio.com
Pam Hults’ folk designed paper cuttings, incorporating the traditional German folk art of Fraktur and Scherenschnitte, will be exhibited in this charming B&B; originally an 1800s general store. Hults is a Lancaster County-based artist and designer whose love and avocation is creating original folk paper cuttings, incorporating scissor cutting, watercolor, pen and ink on hand dyed paper. Hult’s originals have been at the gift shop in the American Folk Art Museum, N.Y., and the Heritage Center Museum in Lancaster. The artist’s husband, John Hults, constructs, paints and grains the frames for her artwork.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors all four Sundays. Southern Trail directions.
Special Wednesday night open house offer: Stay two or more nights, including a Wednesday night, and receive a special pass to the private “by invitation only" Wednesday night art exhibits at select B&Bs.
Additional overnight offer: Stay two nights (weekday or weekend) and get the third night free.
O'Flaherty's Dingeldein House
East King & Cottage Ave, Lancaster
717-293-1723 or 800-779-7765
www.dingeldeinhouse.com
Featured artist: Karen Hurd
Built in 1910, this stately Dutch Colonial style inn was once the home for the Leath family who founded the Strasburg Rail Road. This April it will be home to an exhibit by tinsmith Karen Hurd. Tinsmithing is about tinkers, tin peddlers, tinwares and the people that lived and worked in America from about 1750 to the 1900s. Hurd, a traditional tinsmith using the techniques and tools of the trade, finds inspiration in this period of history. She reproduces antique tinwares and creates original designs including cookie cutters, lighting, tin baskets, tin toys, tin Christmas trees and a tin folk art bird tree. She produces a wide variety of tinwares reflecting the endless possibilities of tinsmithing. Hurd’s tinwares can be found at the Heritage Center Museum Store.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors all four Sundays. Meet Karen Hurd at the open houses on April 6 and 27. Light refreshments will be served at all four open houses. Central Trail directions.
Special Wednesday night open house offer: Stay two or more nights, including a Wednesday night, and receive a special pass to the private “by invitation only" Wednesday night art exhibits at select B&Bs.
Pheasant Run Farm Bed and Breakfast
200 Marticville Road, Lancaster
717-872-0991
www.pheasantrunfarmbb.com
Featured artist: Dan Witmer
www.livinglightgallery.com
Pheasant Run Farm Bed and Breakfast, an enchanting stone farmhouse surrounding 48 acres of lush farmland in Lancaster, will display modern and fun, sophisticated and refined sculptures by award-winning artist Dan Witmer. Witmer captures the artistic essence of Brancusi and Calder through his works in stainless and powder-coated steel, bronze and painted metals. For two consecutive years his sculptures were voted "Most Popular of Show" at the Lancaster Summer Arts Festival. Witmer was also given the Michael M. Engel Award for his excellence in and service to the arts.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors all four Sundays. Lite refreshments will be served. Southern Trail directions.
Special Wednesday night open house offer: Stay two or more nights, including a Wednesday night, and receive a special pass to the private “by invitation only" Wednesday night art exhibits at select B&Bs.
Additional overnight offer: Overnight guests will receive a 20% discount for a 2-night stay, in wihch one of the nights is a Wednesday.
.jpg "Rose Garden Bed & Breakfast")
Rose Garden Bed & Breakfast
1566 Lime Valley Road, Strasburg
717-687-0705
www.rosegardenbedandbreakfast.com
Featured artist: Susan Soloway Daul
www.susandaulfolkart.com
Visit this spacious country farmhouse built in 1869 and nestled in the village of Strasburg, to experience the fascinating “Fraktur” of Susan Soloway Daul. Fraktur is a highly artistic and elaborate 18th and 19th century illuminated folk art drawings created in ink or watercolor by the Pennsylvania Dutch. Daul's Fraktur have been shown countrywide in museum shops including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Folk Art Museum in Colonial Williamsburg and a solo display in The American Folk Art Museum Shop window in New York City, where it was photographed for an article in the New York Times Home and Garden Section. Daul's work has been featured in Good Housekeeping, Early American Life, Country Living and Country Home magazines. Susan was asked to create an ornament, which will remain in the White House's permanent collection, for the Blue Room Christmas tree. Daul’s Fraktur can be found at the Heritage Center Museum Store.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors all four Sundays. Enjoy afternoon tea and homemade desserts. Southern Trail directions.
Special Wednesday night open house offer: Stay two or more nights, including a Wednesday night, and receive a special pass to the private “by invitation only" Wednesday night art exhibits at select B&Bs.
Susquehanna Manor Bed and Breakfast
3272 Maytown Road, Marietta
717-426-4986
www.suquehannamanor.com
Featured artist: Rob Evans
www.robevansart.net
Susquehanna Manor, a delightful 1875 Victorian bed and breakfast residing within historic Marietta, will exhibit the artwork of Rob Evans. Evans, who is inspired by the Susquehanna River, has completed many paintings on the subject, as well as organized a traveling exhibition of pieces that date back to the 18th century. Evans has exhibited his work all over the world, including places such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors for open houses on April 13, 20 & 27. Northwest Trail directions.
Tree Top Bed and Breakfast
326 Ridge Avenue, Ephrata
717-733-9578
www.treetopbandb.com
Featured artist: Sue Reno
www.suereno.com
Fiber artist Sue Reno will showcase her work at Tree Top Bed and Breakfast, situated within the treetops of Ephrata Mountain with a gorgeous view showcasing 30 miles of Lancaster County farmland. Reno, who draws inspiration from her surroundings in Lancaster County, focuses on landscape images and botanical subjects. Using plants from her organic garden and fringes of cultivation, she employs surface design techniques that include cyanotype, heliographic prints, and image transfers. Her work also incorporates unusual and hand painted fabrics, hand and machine stitching, and beadwork. Juried in numerous national exhibits, her work has also been featured in an episode of “Simply Quilts,” shown on HGTV, and in Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors all four Sundays, and serving lite refreshments. Meet the artist on April 6 & 27. Enter a drawing for a free night's stay. Northeast Trail directions.
Special overnight offer: Stay 2 nights (Sunday - Thursday) during April and receive a 10% discount.
.jpg "Vogt Farm Bed and Breakfast")
Vogt Farm Bed & Breakfast
1225 Colebrook Road, Marietta
717-653-4810 or 800-854-0399
www.vogtfarmbnb.com
Featured artist: Robert Patierno
www.patierno.com
It's art on the farm, as you visit this B&B built by the Mennonites in the mid-1800s. Outside, the cows are grazing in the meadow, and inside, you’ll find an exquisite exhibit of artist and printmaker Robert Patierno’s work. Known throughout the world for his work, Patierno’s themes are universal and his expressions are tireless and constantly evolving. Many of the paintings, prints and drawings are centered on universal ideas such as envy, revenge, fear, and love. Patierno’s work has a cyclical nature like that of the world; it has the ability to lead an audience on a journey from one point to the next and back to the beginning again without a pause. Although Patierno works with various media, he is most commonly identified as a master printer, specialized in relief printing.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors all four Sundays. Northwest Trail directions.
Special Wednesday night open house offer: Stay two or more nights, including a Wednesday night, and receive a special pass to the private “by invitation only" Wednesday night art exhibits at select B&Bs.
Additional overnight offer: Overnight guests will receive a 10% discount off a two-night stay (Monday - Thursday) during the month of April ‘08. Stay must include a Wednesday night.
Walnut Lawn B&B
1027 Village Road, Lancaster
717-464-1382
www.walnutlawn.com
Featured artist: Terry Ross
www.terryrossphotography.com
Walnut Lawn Bed & Breakfast, a 1909 brick two-story colonial filled with beautiful chestnut woodwork, pocket doors and quilts, will be the site for an exhibit of breathtaking images by photographer Terry Ross. Ross has been a professional photographer for more than 12 years. His images of rural Lancaster County capture the Pennsylvania heartland like few others. His award-winning still lifes and images are owned by collectors across the country and around the world. Ross brings the artist’s eye and the craftsman’s touch to every subject.
Open House Sundays: Welcoming visitors all four Sundays. Enjoy refreshments. Southern Trail directions.
