2019 Exhibitions: Demuth Museum


Artwork by Kenny Sumpman, Donegal Intermediate School

18th Annual Art-in-a-Box Exhibition

November 17 - December 22, 2019

The 18th Annual Art-in-a-Box exhibition features student artworks from schools participating in the Demuth Foundation’s free educational program which teaches these aspiring artists about Charles Demuth’s pioneering artwork and life in Lancaster.


Henry Libhart, Colossal Pretzel from Mr. H., n.d., oil on canvas, private collection

Henry Libhart: Ravishing Realism

September 6 - November 10, 2019

As a self-taught artist, who mainly painted still lifes, Lancaster artist Henry Libhart enjoyed the challenge of realism and would frequently paint for 12 to 15 hours at a time. Working primarily with oil and watercolor media, Henry painted in the style known as trompe l’oeil, which translates to “fool the eye.” Whether he was dashing off an amusing note to a friend or completing an exquisitely detailed oil painting, the joy of creation can be seen in all of his work.


Charles Demuth, Sunnyside Mural, 1930, gouache on canvas, collection of the Demuth Foundation, gift of the owners of Sunnyside Farm and restoration courtesy of Steinman Foundation

Sunnyside: off the Wall

July 13 - August 25, 2019

For the second time, the original Sunnyside Mural was on view at the Demuth Museum in its entirety. The mural was created in 1930 at the height of prohibition in the United States by a group of artists and friends, including Charles Demuth. Originally adorning the Stauffer Family Sunnyside Farm in Gap, Pennsylvania, the mural depicts the journey of a young Amish couple through life and the colorfully named towns in the area surrounding the farm are used to title each panel on their journey.


Charles Demuth, Daffodils, n.d., watercolor and graphite on paper, collection of the Demuth Museum, gift of Henry C. Demuth and restoration courtesy of Dorothea Demuth

focus on flora

May 3 - June 30, 2019

Charles Demuth’s watercolors of flowers from his mother’s garden nestled in downtown Lancaster are some of his strongest works. His florals feature a variety of types of flowers and his treatment of each evolved over his lifetime. This exhibition includes some of his earliest depictions of flowers from a childhood sketchbook and works he completed over three decades later as an adult.


Tiana Miller, (grade 10, Hempfield High School), Vintage Watering Can, colored pencil, Scholastics Gold Key

Scholastic Art Awards

March 1 - April 14, 2019

The Scholastic Art Awards is the first level of a national art competition, open to students grades 7 through 12. Exceptional works of art are submitted by students to be judged first at the regional level here in Lancaster, with the winning works moving on to the national competition.


Ann DeLaurentis, Market Onions, 2019, watercolor

Demuth Invitational: Market Muses

February 1 - 24, 2019

47 local artists exhibit artwork inspired by Central Market - its products, standholders, and the culture it has helped to create in our community - much like Charles Demuth was during his lifetime.