Lancaster County has a longstanding and deep connection to visual art and creatives in the community. Lancaster city's historic downtown area is rife with art galleries and painters' exhibitions, the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design and distinguished museums such as Lancaster Museum of Art and the Demuth Museum. Lancaster-born artists such as Charles Demuth, whose life and work are immortalized in the Demuth Museum, have become nationally renowned for their artistic careers. In modern times, new generations of budding artists such as JJ Roach continue Lancaster's artistic legacy by achieving recognition across Pennsylvania and beyond.

The Lancaster County Art Association (LCAA), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Strasburg, is a countywide network of paintbrushes and sketchbooks. LCAA's members hail from every part of the county, as well as areas as far as Chester County, Philadelphia and Maryland. The nonprofit's mission is to celebrate and promote visual arts in the local community, a goal that has remained unchanged since LCAA was founded in 1936.

"We're still committed to our original idea of promoting the arts in the area," said Patricia Keller of Landisville, who handles LCAA's publicity and advertising. "We're always trying to get everyone involved and to give people opportunities to appreciate, understand and see good artwork. Visual arts are important to everybody."

LCAA strives to support the art community in various ways. The organization's main location in Strasburg houses the Steinmetz Gallery and the Kauffman Gallery, which frequently feature the artworks of LCAA members and distinguished guest artists. Membership shows take place every winter, fall and spring, in addition to themed exhibits such as "Cool Colors" in February, which will exclusively feature artworks of green, blue and violet hues. Until Thursday, Feb. 13, the 2025 Winter Membership Show may be viewed in the Kauffman Gallery, and a showcase of Dan Graziano's work titled "Observations" will remain in the Steinmetz Gallery.

Although LCAA's galleries steadily host new exhibitions, the nonprofit also offers a variety of workshops, classes and programs to teach specific techniques and explore different mediums. LCAA organizes fundraisers such as plant sales and art supply sales throughout the year to help cover its expenses, compensate professional jurors for exhibits and lower class enrollment fees.

As an active member of LCAA for more than 35 years, Keller said that one of her favorite aspects of the organization is its comradery. "Whether you're down there working or part of a critique group, you're around people who have a common interest," added Keller. "You meet artists who work with different mediums than you do. It's interesting to see how things work."

Despite including many expert artists, LCAA accepts members of any artistic ability. "It's nonthreatening. That's what I love about it," Keller said. It's an opportunity for anyone to have a creative outlet and a place to show your work."

LCAA is seeking volunteers to fill various roles within the organization, including leadership positions on the board of directors and gallery sitters to oversee exhibits when staff members are unavailable. To learn more, interested parties may attend a board meeting on the third Friday of every month at 10 a.m. LCAA asks that anyone planning to attend a meeting confirm by calling the office at 717-687-7061.

For more information, visit http://www.lcaaonline.org.