UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Alumni Association is teaming up with the College of Arts and Architecture and the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts to bring arts festival visitors a unique new event honoring an artist with deep ties to the festival’s history.  

The Hintz Family Alumni Center will be the site of “Hintzpiration: Artistry at the Alumni Center,” an art exhibit happening July 12–13, 2024, featuring the work of the late Lanny Sommese, a world-renowned State College artist and Penn State professor emeritus.  

The event, which will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, will showcase Sommese’s vast portfolio, including collectable posters from previous arts festivals and other personal works, some of which are included in the Library of Congress National Poster Collection. For 50 years, Sommese designed the festival’s annual poster. On the evening of Friday, July 12, an Alumni Association members-only reception will be held at the Alumni Center featuring more of Sommese’s collection of work, and words from the late artist’s wife and artistic partner, Kristin Sommese.   

Arts festival visitors also will appreciate the hospitality tent operated by the Centre County chapter of the Alumni Association along the festival route. Visitors will have the chance to store art purchases at the tent while they shop and can enjoy complimentary water stations to stay hydrated during the festival. Special alumni arts festival T-shirts will be available for sale throughout the event’s duration. All proceeds from T-shirt sales will benefit the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, along with scholarships sponsored by the Centre County chapter and the chapter’s THON fundraising efforts.  

Visit the official Hintzpiration website for additional details about the exhibit and the Alumni Association’s activities as the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts nears.