Where History Meets the Arts

Where History Meets the Arts
Colonial accouterments include hand made and engraved power horns, knives and flintlock rifles. John Christopher Fine. Copyright 2017
John Christopher Fine
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GETTYSBURG, Penn.—Gettysburg College, home of the History Meets the Arts program, is one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation. A stroll along stately gingerbread brick buildings with mystical towers among plantings and sculptures is a reward its self. The setting is idyllic, and the arts represented in the program are world class.

“We started the show 20 years ago,” said Philippe du Bois, the director of this annual event. The event was created when his gallery, Lord Nelson’s Gallery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, became too small to house the many artists brought into town to celebrate art in all its forms.

“We outgrew the gallery, so moved to the Gettysburg Hotel. We outgrew the hotel, so moved here to Gettysburg College campus. There are many artists here that our gallery has represented for over 25 years. We’ve invited other artists, sculptors, makers of Colonial accouterments like powder horns and flintlock rifles, ceramic makers, and authors,” Philippe said.

The college gymnasium floor was replete with craftspeople. Many not only displayed their work, but also painted, sculpted, or demonstrated their craft on their looms.

“My husband Erich is the potter; I’m the decorator,” Janice Steinhagen said. Erich turned his wheel and crafted pots while visitors browsed through the couple’s creations on display.

Sculptor and painter Daniel Horne created this realistic bust of Benjamin Franklin. (John Christopher Fine. Copyright 2017)
Sculptor and painter Daniel Horne created this realistic bust of Benjamin Franklin. John Christopher Fine. Copyright 2017
John Christopher Fine
John Christopher Fine
Author
John Christopher Fine is a marine biologist with two doctoral degrees, has authored 25 books, including award-winning books dealing with ocean pollution. He is a liaison officer of the U.N. Environment Program and the Confederation Mondiale for ocean matters. He is a member of the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences in honor of his books in the field of education. He has received international recognition for his pioneering work investigating toxic waste contamination of our land and water.