If you’ve never visited the small town of Millheim it is well worth the trip. The town has an unexpected mix of cultures and an artist there is working to highlight this gem of a community.
It’s old meets new. Set between the business of State College and the old ways of Amish Country, the unique fusion of the two has not been lost on Karl Leitzel.
“We look down the street and we see this Amish man coming up the street in this little, tiny wagon being pulled by this little, tiny pony with gas cans like he’s going to the local gas station to fill up,” said Leitzel. “The whole thing was just this bizarre, um…and their right in front of the U.S. Post office. So when Sean happened to get this really nice shot and post it on Facebook, the next day I saw it and I was like, I said, ‘oh man do you mind if I try painting that.’ That would be so neat.”
Leitzel is the owner of the Green Drake Art Gallery in Millheim. He grew up in this region and worked at Penn State as a graphic artist. He is as eclectic a mix as the area itslef.
He opened the gallery to serve as a meeting place for people to enjoy many aspects of the arts and there is no shortage of area talent to contribute.
“This eastern part of Penns Valley, being midway between state college and Bucknell Universities has had kind of a more diverse and often creative type of people mixed in for many decades since the 60s,” said Leitzel. “it has never had a central place to show that to the rest of the world until some of these new things started opening here.”
Through his brush, he captures Centre County history from the Grange Fair to Penn State Wildlife. There’s an art studio for lessons and the work of about 25 fine artists and at least as many craft artists.
Leitzel said there is much more.
“About every two months we have a new, special show which gives us a reason to have a reception to have people come in for that to supplement the art that is always here. When we have a reception, before a special show, that’s when we use the stage to showcase a local musician.”
The Green Drake is a welcoming place to buy art or see live music in town that is becoming more of a destination than a pass through.
Summer Gallery hours: Friday 4-8 pm, Saturday 10 am – 7 pm, Sunday 12-4 pm,and by chance or appointment.
