Majestic Rural Pennsylvania

An Art Exhibition Celebrating the Central PA Countryside

Exhibition Dates: May 3 – May 24, 2025
Location: The Gallery, 15 N Water Street, Lewisburg, PA
Gallery Hours:
Thursdays & Fridays: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Saturdays: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Join the Lewisburg Arts Council for Majestic Rural Pennsylvania, an exhibition of original artworks that celebrate the landscapes, farmlands, and cultural legacy of Central Pennsylvania. This group show features the Farmland Preservation Artists of Central Pennsylvania, who use their talents to raise awareness about the importance of protecting rural lands. A portion of proceeds from all sales will benefit the Centre County Farmland Trust, an organization that has helped preserve 17 farms in Centre and Blair Counties.

Opening Day: Saturday, May 3

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
“Shoot-and-Paint” Plein Air Event
Experience the creative process in action with a demonstration by artist Susan Nicholas Gephart from 1:00–1:30 PM, followed by an open-air art session in the courtyard and surrounding areas.

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Opening Reception
Enjoy a celebratory gathering with light refreshments and brief remarks by Elizabeth Burke, Dan Guss of the Centre County Farmland Trust, and featured artist Susan Nicholas Gephart.

Featured Artists

R. Thomas Berner

R. Thomas Berner is a passionate photographer whose love of barns has taken him across the United States and Europe. Once had a bumper sticker “I brake for barns.” He no longer has that car, but he is still passionate about stopping wherever to photograph barns. He has published two photographic books—Pennsylvania Barn Stories and Pennsylvania Quilt Barns—documenting the rustic charm and historic significance of these structures. Berner’s eye for detail and devotion to Pennsylvania’s agricultural heritage make his work a fitting tribute to the land.

Martha Grout Taylor

As the current President of the Farmland Preservation Artists of Central Pennsylvania, Martha Grout Taylor brings both leadership and artistic vision to the group. Her vibrant and textured artwork reflects her deep appreciation for the abundance of farmland—its light, color, textures, and stories. To Martha, both art and farmland symbolize richness, growth, and community. She views her participation in the group as a way to give back and ensure the preservation of Pennsylvania’s rural beauty for future generations.

Lori Rockwell

A lifelong artist, Lori Rockwell draws inspiration from both her rural lifestyle and artistic lineage. Introduced to art by her grandmother, art is now a common bond shared with her son. Lori has explored many media, including pen and ink, decoupage, watercolor, and and most recently oils. Her works have been featured at the Bellefonte Art Museum, University Wine Company, and other venues. Notably, her painting Double Arch was selected for the 2023 Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, and Between the Ropes earned the 2024 Viewers’ Choice Award. Beyond the studio, Lori plays fiddle and banjo in a local bluegrass band and enjoys life on a farm in Centre County with her husband Rocky.

Susan Nicholas Gephart

Susan Nicholas Gephart is a nationally recognized plein air artist with over 45 years of experience. Her colorful, impressionistic landscapes in pastel and oil capture the emotional essence of nature. A graduate of Penn State University, she is also an instructor with an inspiring teaching philosophy: “Connect, Inspire, Support.” Susan has taught at the Plein Air Convention, Pastel Live, and organizes Hameau Artist Retreats. She holds memberships in the Pastel Society of America, Oil Painters of America, and is President of the Central Pennsylvania Pastel Society. Susan is a founding member of the Farmland Preservation Artists and is known for her expressive use of color and devotion to land preservation through art.

Avis Jones

The daughter of painter Seymour Gerber, Avis Jones was raised in the vibrant Miami art scene and later settled in Central Pennsylvania. She transitioned from acrylics and watercolors to oils, drawn by their depth and luminosity. Inspired by Impressionists like Renoir and Degas, Avis continues to hone her craft through Plein Air studies and local mentorship. Her art reflects a love of realism and a deep connection to the land, with subjects ranging from pastoral landscapes to historic buildings.

Jeff Mathison

Jeff Mathison enjoys catching a moment of light on our Pennsylvania landscapes.

Joanne Juhl

Joanne Juhl finds beauty in small scenes, in rocks and water, and in the sense of peace that trees provide. She wants to encourage others to pause and look at the quiet beauty around them.

Brienne M. Brown

Brienne M. Brown finds beauty in everyday life, the so-called ‘mundane’.  Ordinary people going about their everyday lives inspire her.  She especially enjoys painting en plein air, where each painting reminds her of where she was, of the experiences she had, the sounds, smells, and the people she met.  She tries to capture the essence of a scene, her paintings are always more about a moment in time than about a particular location.  Brienne enjoys sharing how she sees the world.

Kim Gates Flick

Kim Gates Flick contributes to the exhibit with a thoughtful quote by Wendell Berry: “We have neglected the truth that a good farmer is a craftsman of the highest order, a kind of artist.”

Jim Valent

Jim Valent is a self-taught freelance photographer, with roots in a western New York dairy farm. He finds inspiration in the landscapes and the life of agriculture – allowing him to honor the enduring beauty of rural life, preserving the iconic barns that stand as monuments to our shared agricultural heritage and to capture the stories of the land. Jim’s interest in photography began as a way of preserving their family’s historic farm and other barns that he encounters. His passion for photography officially began in 2008, but it wasn’t until his first workshop in late 2015 that his approach to photography became more than a snapshot. Having always dreamt of flying, drone photography was an immediate interest as it became more accessible – becoming a licensed FAA drone pilot in 2019. In addition to being able to capture unique perspectives of the landscape through still images as well as video with the drone, these applications are also useful in his full-time career as an agronomist.

Jim currently resides about 130 miles south of his hometown in State College, Pennsylvania.

Locally, his photos are exhibited in the Hilton, Hyatt and several other prominent local businesses.

Visit The Gallery
Located in downtown Lewisburg, The Gallery at 15 N Water Street offers a welcoming and intimate space to enjoy local and regional art. Admission is free and open to all.