LANCASTER, PA.- The Demuth Museum opened its 2012 exhibition schedule with the annual Invitational exhibition, showcasing the work of contemporary artists from Lancaster and the surrounding region who have been invited to exhibit new works based on a given theme. This year’s exhibition takes its theme from Charles Demuth’s interaction with architects. Demuth experienced firsthand the architectural renovation of his family’s Tobacco Shop in 1917 by Lancaster native C. Emlen Urban. By this point in time Urban had already designed Lancaster’s Southern Market (1888) and the Hager & Brother Store (1911) and would continue to shape the skyline and streetscapes of Lancaster. Demuth also developed a close relationship with Frank Everts, the architect who, in 1927, began transforming the Steinman family home, Conestoga House, from three existing houses into a home of grand Colonial Revival style. Everts enlisted Demuth’s help in the design of the home.

Demuth Museum Executive Director Anne M. Lampe explains that “the focus of this exhibit is the architect. Architecture itself serves as a great source of inspiration for many artists, but we are interested in seeing how artists may be inspired by the people who create a different type of art from themselves. We’ve invited this year’s participants to think about an architect they’ve studied or worked with as their source of inspiration for this exhibition.”

The thirty-five artists participating in this year’s exhibition include: Kathy Abel, Michael Abel, Eva Stina Bender, Marlin Bert, Jack Bingham, Ann DeLaurentis, Casey Dixon, Reed Dixon, Paula Egolf, Paul Engleheart, Ron Ettelman, Dorothy Frey, Milt Friedly, Jeff Geib, Claire Giblin, Susan Gottlieb, Gail Gray, John Herr, Jon L. Johnson, Rick Kent, Matthew Lawrence, Paris Llanso, Robert Lyon, Carol Morgan, Richard Ressel, Kimberly Root, Barry Root, Brant Schuller, Mimi Shapiro, Suk Shuglie, Ellen Slupe, Eric Weeks, Christine Welch, Dick Whitson and Steve Wilson.