On Saturday, May 24, at 2:30 p.m., the Mt. Gretna Arts Council (MGAC) will be unveiling a new art installation in front of the Mount Gretna Playhouse. Designed by artist Cory Wanamaker, the installation is titled “Guardian of the Arts.”
The unveiling of the installation will take place right before Mount Gretna’s Summer Kickoff Party that features a celebration of all the events scheduled for the peak season. The Arts Council invites people to enjoy local food selections, a craft brewery, and an art auction. We welcome the season that culminates in the Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show on August 16-17. Find out more at mtgretnaarts.com.
The public art will be permanently installed at the Mount Gretna Playhouse. The 12-foot bronze figure created by Mount Gretna resident Cory Wanamaker includes lighting and a water feature. This sculpture honors our Mount Gretna community where art binds people to place and each other. The MGAC is thrilled to accept this gift on behalf of the community.
The Mim Enck Charitable Foundation commissioned and graciously donated the sculpture to the Arts Council. With support from the community and her friends, this remarkable work encapsulates the grace and sophistication of Mim Enck. Water—a motif integral to Mim’s life and artistry—gently cascades from its wings and hands, symbolizing purity, healing, and the transformative spark of creative inspiration. As a cherished, longtime resident of Mount Gretna, Mim’s enduring legacy is eloquently celebrated in this evocative tribute.
More than a personal tribute, Guardian of the Arts honors all who have championed the arts in Mount Gretna—those who founded our arts organizations, rebuilt the Playhouse after its 1994 collapse, and continue to preserve and promote artistic expression today.
The sculpture is being expertly cast by A.R.T. Research Enterprises, a world-class foundry based in Lancaster, known for restoring bronze features at the U.S. Capitol and other significant works of public art. Landscape artist Ryan Fretz, another friend of Mim, will enhance the setting to complement the sculpture, ensuring it harmonizes with its natural surroundings.
Following the unveiling of the public art, the public is invited to enjoy entertainment on the Hall of Philosophy porch 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. An art auction will be held at 3:30 p.m. Performances include singers from Gretna Theatre’s The Girls of Summer, the Dolly Parton cast, Susquehanna Chorale, and two Mount Gretna residents’ bands. Food will be provided for purchase from Porch & Pantry and Ancestor Coffeehouse and Creperie.
Local establishments the Jigger Shop and the Mount Gretna Pizzeria will be open. People can learn Bystander CPR lessons or visit the Gretna Fire Company Rescue Truck.
