Under the baobab: Summer festivals showcase talent, community in Centre County

We’ve braved the belly of the beast. We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace, And the norms and notions of what “just is” isn’t always justice. And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it. Somehow, we do it. Somehow, we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished. – Amanda Gorman

Congratulations to Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley of the Penn State woman’s volleyball team, the first female coach to win the NCAA Division 1 National Championship. She accomplished this while successfully battling breast cancer. Our local superhero will be honored with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPY Awards on July 16 at 8 p.m. on ABC and ESPN. Also congrats to Professor Steve Broadnax of the PSU School of Theatre. He was appointed artistic director of Arkansas Repertory Theatre.

Quiet isn’t always peace; peace isn’t always sought. Sometimes struggle is required but so is joy. On July 9, saluting those who protect and serve, the Philipsburg Borough, the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, CenClear, CNB Bank, Lee Industries, Darkness2Hope, Harpsters, the Crystal Clean Auto Spa, Prodisposal, Lezzer Lumber, Phillipsburg Plumbing, M&T Bank, Nittany Energy, Nittany Minimart, Diamond Back, Jack Frost Construction, Genna Ice and the Moshannon Valley Emergency Medical Service kicked off Philipsburg’s Heritage Days with a parade. It was followed by a watermelon eating contest, fireworks, live music and other activities.

The 59th Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is also underway, running through Sunday. One of the top juried outdoor fine art and fine craft shows in the nation, more than 300 exhibitors from five continents will share the beauty of their creation. Over $20,000 in prize money will be awarded by this year’s jurors: Lindsay Ketterer Gates, Kyle Houser, Jon Weary and Juan Carlos Caballero-Perez.

Arts Fest Executive Director Pamela Synder Etters and her staff, Carol Baney, Jennifer Shuey, Doris Mack, and interns Celine Matthews and Kate Youngmark, expect over 125,000 visitors this year (rivaling a Happy Valley fall Saturday). Artists and visitors will be assisted by over 600 volunteers. Live local and international entertainment will be offered at the Sidney Friedman Park, on the Allen Street Stage, the Festival Shell on Old Main Lawn, on campus at the Willard Plaza and at the corner of Pollock and Burrows.

In a plethora of summertime riches, the People’s Choice Festival of Arts and Crafts is being presented for the fourth time in its “new” venue at the Grange Park in Centre Hall. Co-director Cindy Rockey said a special Christmas in July event features an appearance by — you guessed it — Santa Claus himself, who will ride in at 11 a.m. Saturday. Santa will be “in the house” until 4 p.m.

The festival, which primarily features and celebrates local artists and entertainers, is sponsored by Jabco Custom Lawn Care, Renewal by Anderson, Keystone Payroll, wYs Interior Design, Fullington Tours and Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. Other festival committee members include: co-directors John and Georgia Madison, Chris Kepler, Diana Stapleford, Don Rockey, Rick Snyder, Amy Madison and Chase Million.

If you’re looking for more art experiences, the Bellefonte Art Museum is exhibiting “From your Backyard to the Cosmos: the Beauty and Science of Astrophotography” through Aug 31. Camille Hoffman is showcasing her paintings through Oct. 30 in the Gallery at the HUB Robeson Center. The Woskob Family Gallery in the lobby of Penn State Downtown Theatre will be showing Michelle Hinojosa’s “Summer Pop-Up” works in fabric, stop motion animation and oils. The summer show, featuring artwork in all media by current and former grad students, will be on exhibit in the Visual Arts Building on campus until July 13.

And on Thursday, July 17, from 7-8 p.m. we will celebrate John “Good Trouble” Lewis in a vigil at the Allen Street Gates.

We continue to weather a time when our nation though not broken needs our work. Sisters and brothers, you are not alone.