Andrea Gibson, Art Shows and The Pig Merchants Set for Ware Center's First Friday Events Today

The Ware Center at Millersville University Lancaster located at 42 North Prince Street in downtown Lancaster has always been known for going all out for First Fridays. Typically, there are anywhere from three to eight events scheduled in the 6-8 PM time frame and most of the events are free. This First Friday, today, September 6th, is no different. All of the events are FREE and everyone is welcome to attend. Details below!

ANGIE HOHENADEL creates drawings and paintings that twist and turn common subject matter. The results are unexpected, engaging, and simply beautiful. Everyday items -- whether it's a pot of flowers, a swing set or a take-off on an Amish Hex sign -- clash with vibrant colors and patterns. Her pieces share with the viewer her ability to see the beautiful lines and form of the objects around her.

Angie's - who teaches art at a local high school - is one of The Ware Center's favorites and was a huge success in 2011 when all of her small, collectible works completely sold-out by the end of its run. Angie's exhibit takes place in the Regitz Gallery on the Mezzanine at the Ware Center.

ANN LAWSON's "The Language of Color" is her first major art exhibition. Ann explains, "The beauty of my abstract, contemporary art is that each piece is interpreted differently by the observer. Through color, lines and shapes, my works have one goal in mind: to arouse the viewer to come back again and again."

Some of her heavy influences are many of the modern and post-modern expressionist artists of the 60′s and 70′s, primarily Jackson Pollock, Willem De Kooning, Jane Plum and Mark Rothko. By far, she says her biggest inspiration is her Mother, who is an accomplished artist herself. Ann's exhibit takes place on the third floor of the Ware Center in the Grand Salon.

Both artists will be on-hand First Friday from 6-8 PM. Both shows will be on exhibit at the Ware Center until Sunday, September 29th. FREE.

THE PIG MERCHANTS are a singer-songwriter acoustic folk duo from south central Pennsylvania who specialize in performing, song-crafting, vocalizing, harmonizing while playing a variety of stringed and percussion instruments.

The two musicians- Brad Fuhrman and Adam Rohrer -came together in 2010, thereby merging their 30 plus years of collective musical prowess and hearkening to the mandate to create and perform gnarly original tunes and unique takes on sweet covers. Their songs draw inspiration from love lost, life found and hope for the future, and evoke by turns mirth and melancholy. When not living their humble rock star lifestyles, the Merchants can be found recoding new tracks in a homemade studio, or plying their trade at assorted local eateries and pubs.

THE PIG MERCHANTS perform in Lyett Lobby at the Ware Center off and on between 6 - 8 PM. FREE.

The POETRY ALOUD series is a twice year poetry event that features local poets as well as exciting, talented and nationally renowned performers. It is sponsored by the Ware Center, F&M's Writer's House, and MU's Creative Writers Guild and coordinated by Tyler Barton.

This past spring brought Anis Mojgani from Austin in a standing-room only performance. This September POETRY ALOUD presents Andrea Gibson from Boulder, Colorado.

ANDREA GIBSON is not gentle with her truths. It is this raw fearlessness that has led her to the forefront of the spoken word movement- the first winner of the Women's World Poetry Slam --Gibson has headlined prestigious performance venues coast to coast with powerful readings on war, class, gender, bullying, white privilege, sexuality, love, and spirituality. Her work has been featured on the BBC, Huffington Post, Air America, C-SPAN, Free Speech TV and in 2010 was read by a state representative in lieu of morning prayer at the Utah State Legislature.

Now, on her fifth full-length album FLOWER BOY, Gibson's poems continue to be a rally cry for action and a welcome mat at the door of the heart's most compassionate room. The CD features the music of Chris Pureka, Nervous But Excited, and many other phenomenal musical guests the tracks on this compilation are active Volcano. They burn away and rebirth- a creation story in every lyric, radiating with the fire of a heart fiercely committed to social justice.

The event also includes an open reading from students and members of the community and readings by Philadelphia poet Maryan Captan and local poet Barbara Decesare.

POETRY ALOUD is FREE, but tickets are required. Advance tickets - which are encouraged -- may be obtained by calling 717-872-3811 or717-871-2308. On-line at www.artsmu.com. In person at the Ware Center, 42 North Prince Street or the SMC Building on Millersville's campus. The event starts at 6 PM and runs until about 9 PM.