Artist Dillon Samuelson participated in the Susquehanna Art Museum’s plein air painting event at the Broad Street Market.
When Alice Anne Schwab, executive director of the Susquehanna Art Museum, heard that the Broad Street Market had burned, she was devastated.
She knew the museum, located just down the street from the market, needed to help its neighbor, and in its signature creative style.
In July, the museum hosted plein air painting in the market courtyard, where local artists painted and drew scenes from around the market. Their creations were auctioned off, with all proceeds going to support the market, which was heavily damaged by fire earlier in July.
The fundraiser was even more successful than Schwab could’ve imagined.
The auction, which ran from Aug. 9 to 18 and included 15 paintings by 14 local artists, raised $3,471, almost $1,000 over the museum’s original goal.
“I was thrilled,” Schwab said. “I really didn’t know what to expect. It was so exciting.”
Many of the paintings featured the front façade of the brick market building, which is now closed due to heavy fire, smoke and water damage. Others depicted the iconic sign on the market’s still-open stone building, quarts of cherry tomatoes, and people playing chess outside the building, among other market-inspired scenes.
Artists ranged from professionals to local elementary school students.
“Broad St Market” by Biruta Hansen
Perry County artist Biruta Hansen painted two pieces, each telling a different story of the brick building. One, entitled “Ghost,” uses grayish blue tones to capture the loss and somber state of the building, while the other painting shows a much brighter, sunny and hopeful scene.
Hansen’s “Broad St Market” painting sold for $1,000 and “Ghost” sold for $395.
“It was very gratifying,” she said. “The idea of contributing to the community in a time of tragedy–it was the least I could do.”
Schwab was happy to see that all of the paintings received bids and was grateful for the community’s interest. She hopes that the funds will help the market as officials seek to support displaced vendors and rebuild the brick building in the months ahead.
“Midtown is like a family; we try to support each other,” Schwab said. “The market isn’t just geographically close, but it’s near and dear to all of our hearts. We are super happy this worked out as it did.”
To view the pieces that were included in the auction, click here. To learn more about the Susquehanna Art Museum, visit their website.
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