Sunday, May 5 2pm
Join us Sunday afternoon, May 5, as we discuss the legacy of central Pennsylvania artist Nick Ruggieri with his daughter, Rosemary Baer. Peter Durantine, a Harrisburg-based journalist who became familiar with Ruggieri’s art while working for the Patriot-News, will lead the discussion. Visitors will also have an opportunity to take a closer look at the county-by-county Pennsylvania paintings Ruggieri created for American Bicentennial in 1976.
Pennsylvania in Watercolor: Revisiting Nick Ruggieri’s Bicentennial Series showcases the county-by-county series of paintings that artist Nick Ruggieri began in 1970. Commissioned by the Harrisburg Patriot-News to commemorate Pennsylvania places for the 1976 United States Bicentennial, Ruggieri’s work remains a poignant reflection on the Keystone State’s evolution as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
Ruggieri’s project involved visiting all 67 counties to paint a representative scene he chose for each one – often a historic site, natural feature, or signature industry. The exhibition features 52 paintings from 49 Pennsylvania counties and is on display in the Changing Exhibit Gallery on Floor 1 of The State Museum through June 16, 2024.