Who We Are
The Art Association of Harrisburg promotes and encourages the visual arts through art exhibition and education, enriching the wellbeing of the local community.
Striving for Excellence
Additionally, the AAH is dedicated to providing top-quality art education to children and adults through our year round art classes. Scholarships are provided for those with financial need.
Proud to be Non-Profit
The Art Association of Harrisburg is a 501C-3 nonprofit organization, registered with the Department of State’s Bureau of Charitable Organizations.
Location
Located in the historic Governor Findlay Mansion at 2l North Front Street in downtown Harrisburg across from the scenic Susquehanna River.
21 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Our Staff Members
The AAH is run by a team of professionals who have years of experience in the art world, and are dedicated to bringing artistic excellence to the Greater Harrisburg Area.
Carrie Wissler-Thomas
President
carrie@artassocofhbg.com
Carrie holds her BA in Fine Art from Hood College and her Master’s Degree from Temple University. Prior to employment as President of the Art Association in 1986, she was a freelance artist, instructor, and art writer. She has held many solo exhibitions of her own oil paintings,and has participated in numerous group and invitational shows. After more than 40 years as AAH President, Carrie’s last day with us (full-time) will be Sunday, September 13th for Gallery Walk, so be sure to drop by!
Debbie Smith
President/Executive Director (incoming)
Since 1998, Debbie has been the owner/operator of Smith Custom Framing (DBA The Smith Gallery and Fine Custom Framing) in New Cumberland, which has been voted “Simply the Best” a number of years in a row. She is a Certified Picture Framer and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Theatre and Communications from Temple University. She is also a singer/actor, has performed in most local theater venues, and is a proud member of SAG/AFTRA.
Scott Clowney
Director of Exhibitions & Education (incoming)
Scott has built his career at the intersection of design, interpretation, and engagement via architecture, exhibition-making, and arts practice. He holds degrees in architecture from the University of Kentucky and in exhibition design from the Corcoran College of Art + Design. Scott enjoys drawing, photography, history, and travel, and divides his time between Washington, DC, and the family farm in south-central PA. Scott will be starting his new role with us on August 17.
Alanna Barton
Assistant Curator
alanna@artassocofhbg.com
Alanna has received her bachelor’s degree in Art History and a minor in Anthropology from Kutztown University. Currently, she assists with exhibitions, events, social media, and educational programs. Her interest in the art field stemmed from visiting multiple galleries and museums within the U.S. and in Europe. Outside of work, she loves to bake, read, and source a fun creative project.
Carrie Feidt
Gallery Assistant
Carrie Feidt is a freelance artist and art instructor. She serves at AAH as a teacher for both the Acrylic Painting class and the Art for Kids class, and she is a Gallery Assistant as needed.
Jonathan Frazier
Gallery Assistant
Jonathan Frazier serves as the Gallery Assistant on Tuesday evenings. He’s a well-known area artist and musician, including a regular performer at AAH opening receptions.
Travis Pilsits
Gallery Assistant
Travis Pilsits is a freelance artist and musician who earned his BM from Ithaca College. He loves animation, outer space, and Coca-Cola.
Randy Miller III
Web Admin / Gallery Assistant
millerIII@gmail.com
Randy has maintained the AAH website and served as Gallery Assistant on Sundays since 2002. He taught a Drawing and Cartooning class for 10 years and enjoys graphic design, writing movie reviews for Blu-ray.com, and meeting new people. Randy lives in Harrisburg with his eternally youthful wife Rachel, creative daughter Anna, and unruly cat Fiji.
Board of Directors
Russell Orlando – Board Chair (top right)
M. Travis Dinicola – Vice Chair and Senior Advisor (bottom right)
Benjamin Faesel – Secretary
Keith Graham – Treasurer
Shamaine Daniels
Kelly Bardon
Morgan Baker
Neely Frye
Ronald Shaffer
Matthew Herren
David Volkman
David Morrison, Emeritus
Robert Potter, Treasurer Emeritus
Carrie Wissler-Thomas, President Emerita (as of 9/14)
Fine Art Appraisals
The AAH is pleased to announce that Noel F. Marks (left), Fine Art Consultant, will be available in the AAH Galleries most Thursday mornings from 10 am to 1 pm to examine and offer verbal appraisals of oil paintings, watercolors, sculpture, prints, antiques and collectibles. Please call in advance to ensure that Marks will be present.. No appointment necessary.
Members of the AAH are entitled to one free appraisal each year.
Non-members must provide a $20 donation to the AAH for this service.
Marks is the President of Lancaster County Antique Art and has over 40 years experience in buying, selling and appraising fine art, antiques and collectibles. He has sold works by Andrew Wyeth, Benjamin West, Marc Chagall, Winslow Homer, Norman Rockwell, Thomas Moran, William Merritt Chase, August Renoir, Alexander Calder and hundreds of other listed American and European artists.
Items to be evaluated can be left with our gallery assistant at the registration desk during gallery hours, or you can bring the items to the AAH on any Thursday morning when Mr. Marks is in the galleries.