The newest addition to Manheim's Market Square isn't meant to be admired from a distance. It's meant to be played. A brightly decorated public piano is encouraging residents and visitors to strike a chord, share a song and experience the power of music to bring people together.

The Manheim Area Chamber of Commerce placed a new Music for Everyone public piano in the heart of town, offering residents and visitors a unique opportunity to experience the joy of music in a shared, accessible space.

The piano is part of the Music for Everyone initiative. The nonprofit's "Keys for the City" program places creatively decorated pianos in public locations throughout the county. The pianos are set up to encourage creativity, connection and community engagement.

The Manheim installation helps to celebrate the organization's 20th anniversary and reflects a continued commitment to fostering cultural enrichment and strengthening community bonds through the power of music.

"Music has a remarkable ability to bring people together across generations and backgrounds," said Krista Cassidy, president of the Manheim Area Chamber of Commerce. "By introducing this piano into our community, we hope to inspire spontaneous moments of creativity, spark meaningful connections and enhance the welcoming spirit of Manheim."

Horst Arts Center, located on Main Street in Manheim, played an integral role in both designing the piano and coordinating its placement.

"When designing this piano, we wanted to celebrate music in a fun way," said Jason Horst. "Since the piano would live outside, we decided to go with a whimsical garden-inspired theme."

Decoration on the piano includes playful woodland animals; floral artwork; and scenic details that celebrate music, creativity and community. Laser-cut wooden overlays were added to create a stained-glass-inspired effect, and gold leaf accents add to the design.

The piano also highlights the Manheim Chamber's "Made by Hand" initiative, with a laser-cut version of the slogan on the instrument.

"We're excited to share an opportunity to highlight what makes Manheim truly special," said Kristie Schmid, executive director of the Manheim Area Chamber of Commerce, describing the Chamber's initiative. "As part of our new rebranding campaign, 'Made by Hand,' we are celebrating the rich tradition of craftsmanship that has defined Manheim for generations. From skilled trades and local makers to businesses built on care, precision and pride, this campaign is all about honoring the hands and stories behind our community."

The piano makes a perfect addition to the campaign, she said, noting that not only was it designed by local artists, but it also welcomes anyone from the community to enjoy it.

"The public piano, located by the gazebo in Market Square, is available for anyone to play - whether a seasoned musician or someone simply looking to share a tune," Schmid said. "Community members are encouraged to stop by, enjoy performances and even contribute their own musical expressions."

As Music for Everyone enters its third decade, the organization hopes to expand its piano footprint into more areas of Lancaster County.

"We are grateful to the Manheim Chamber for sponsoring a piano this season and are totally blown away by the work of Horst Arts Center," said James Fortin, Music for Everyone development manager. "We hope Manheim enjoys this initiative for years to come and that other towns will join them."