For nearly six decades, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts (CPFA) has been a celebrated annual event, held on the campus of Pennsylvania State University since its inception in 1967. The first festival, sponsored by Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture and the State College Chamber of Commerce, lasted nine days in July and allowed attendees to purchase original art created by both amateurs and professionals, as it was not a juried event at the time. This 1981 CPFA poster was designed by Lanny Sommese, a renowned artist, graphic designer, and professor who began teaching at Penn State in 1970. Sommese’s work has been featured in the Library of Congress, exhibited internationally, and included in collections at major museums worldwide. Over the festival's 30-year history, Sommese’s posters became iconic, with many community members and festival attendees proudly displaying them as cherished keepsakes. Today, the festival continues to feature a sidewalk sale but also includes juried works, offering prize money to selected artists. Widely regarded as one of the top arts festivals in the United States, CPFA showcases a vibrant mix of visual arts, performance art, and music, drawing thousands of visitors to the area during the warm summer months. This 1981 poster embodies Sommese’s distinctive style, combining bold graphic elements and a unique aesthetic that transports the viewer back to the festival’s golden era. It serves as a timeless tribute to the creativity, community, and enduring legacy of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. Additional Details ------------------------------ Bullet point: HISTORIC POSTER REPRODUCTION: You?ll love this high quality historic reproduction of 1981 Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts Poster. Our museum quality prints are archival grade, which means it will look great and last without fading for over 100 years. Our print to order posters are made in the USA and each print is inspected for quality. This historic poster is a perfect addition to your themed decor. Vintage posters look great in the home, study or office. They make a perfect gift as well. Product description: For nearly six decades, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts (CPFA) has been a celebrated annual event, held on the campus of Pennsylvania State University since its inception in 1967. The first festival, sponsored by Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture and the State College Chamber of Commerce, lasted nine days in July and allowed attendees to purchase original art created by both amateurs and professionals, as it was not a juried event at the time. This 1981 CPFA poster was designed by Lanny Sommese, a renowned artist, graphic designer, and professor who began teaching at Penn State in 1970. Sommese’s work has been featured in the Library of Congress, exhibited internationally, and included in collections at major museums worldwide. Over the festival's 30-year history, Sommese’s posters became iconic, with many community members and festival attendees proudly displaying them as cherished keepsakes. Today, the festival continues to feature a sidewalk sale but also includes juried works, offering prize money to selected artists. Widely regarded as one of the top arts festivals in the United States, CPFA showcases a vibrant mix of visual arts, performance art, and music, drawing thousands of visitors to the area during the warm summer months. This 1981 poster embodies Sommese’s distinctive style, combining bold graphic elements and a unique aesthetic that transports the viewer back to the festival’s golden era. It serves as a timeless tribute to the creativity, community, and enduring legacy of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.