On Saturday, July 29, the Lititz Art Association will present its 56th annual Lititz Outdoor Fine Art Show. The event will be conducted at Lititz Springs Park, 18 N. Broad St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is free, and refreshments can be purchased through several concessions, including food trucks.

"With fine art, judges are looking for a level of depth in the work," said Carolann Van Wyen, a member of the Lititz Art Association who's handling media relations for the Outdoor Fine Art Show. "It's artwork you can't find anywhere. It's unique. The artists have their own personal styles. Many of the artists are schooled, and some are self-taught. A lot of work has been put into their artwork. Many have been creating art for their whole lives."

Exhibition tables showcasing the work of over 140 artists from all over Pennsylvania and six other states will be set up throughout Lititz Springs Park. The featured artworks will include paintings in oil, acrylics, watercolor and pastels, as well as drawings, ceramics, mixed media pieces and sculpture.

Much of the artwork will be available for purchase, and $2,000 in prizes will be awarded in various categories.

"The mission is to foster and promote fine art and the artists," said Van Wyen. "The Outdoor Fine Art Show exists to bring attention and focus to local artists from Lititz and Lancaster County, and to those from across six states. People can come and enjoy a day in beautiful Lititz Springs Park, and they are exposed to art and culture."

Crowds in excess of 5,000 people are expected for the Lititz Outdoor Fine Art Show, the largest and best attended of the five events that the Lititz Art Association conducts annually.

"The park is packed with people," said Van Wyen. "The park is big, and the show is spread out. People can spend the whole day if they want to."

The Lititz Outdoor Fine Art Show was originally formed in 1979 through the efforts of the Village Art Association and its president, Floyd Hackman. Over the years, the Village Art Association became the Lititz Art Association, and the show was moved from the streets of downtown Lititz to the shade and comfort of the park.

"It got so big that it was moved to the park to accommodate the number of artists," said Van Wyen. "It just evolved into this higher-end show. This show has become part of Lititz history. This year we had to add 15 tables for artists. We just keep evolving."

"The Lititz Art Association is a thriving art association," Van Wyen noted. "That's exciting. The artists who come into town for the show are excited. We're excited about what it does for the town of Lititz. It's about exposing people to art and seeing that smile when they see our art."

For additional information about the Lititz Outdoor Fine Art Show, go to http://www.facebook.com/LititzOutdoorFineArtShow.