Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, Central PA's only professional art college, has developed the Public Art Resource Project in response to the City of Lancaster’s Strategic Plan to provide “the ideal urban experience for our residents and visitors”.

In addition to the intrinsic value of art, public art is a way for Lancaster to impress upon its residents and visitors that it is committed to a built environment of the highest quality. Participating in public art commissions can also be a method for a community to express and celebrate their uniqueness, history and people.  As Lancaster seeks to develop an identity as a welcoming city and major arts destination, public art will be a platform to express that identity.

Public art is a diverse field that includes a broad range of project types. These can include free-standing works of art such as murals and sculpture; integrated works of art, such as artist-designed street furniture, artist-made architectural details, lighting, and landscape design; and temporary installations that can last as short as one evening to as long as a few years.   Public art is a field that connects many members of a given community.  A common denominator of all of these project types is that they involve the public in some capacity.  It is a place where artists, design professionals, community stakeholders, residents, and government staff come together to make a project happen. 

The Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is leading the effort to develop a Public Art Action Plan for the City of Lancaster.

Lancaster Public Art Action Plan

In 2008 Pennsylvania College of Art & Design with funding from the Lancaster County Community Foundation hired public art consultant Renee Piechocki to produce the following plan for the City of Lancaster. This plan was given to the city October 28, 2008. Click to download the Lancaster Public Art Action Plan.

Public Art Advisory Committee Members

Peter Barber
President
Two Dudes Painting Co.

Tracy Beyl
Director of Continuing Education, Public Art Resource Project Coordinator
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design

Matthew Cherry
Academic Dean
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design

Deirdre Foley Citro
Muralist, Newgrange Studio
Adjunct Instructor, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design

John Hershey
Landscape Architect
Thomas Comitta Associates, LLP

Mary Colleen Heil
President
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design

Karen Hunt
Muralist
Adjunct Instructor, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design

Karen Hutchison
Library Director
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design

Sally Jarvis
Community Volunteer, Community Mural Chairperson

Charlotte Katzenmoyer
Director of Public Works
City of Lancaster

Elizabeth Todd Lambert
President/CEO
LancasterARTS.com

Pam Richardson
Dean of Students
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design

Janette Toth
Muralist
Adjunct Instructor, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design

Jeremy Waak
Sculptor
Instructor, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design

Dr. Kerry Sherin Wright
Director, Philadelphia Alumni Writers House