More than 40 pieces donated by local artists will be on display now through Feb. 7, 2025, with bidding in the online auction opening Jan. 17, 2025
3 DOTS DOWNTOWN, STATE COLLEGE, PA, Dec. 6, 2024— From frozen waterfalls to fields of flowers, the artwork on display in 3 Dots Downtown’s gallery space for ClearWater Conservancy’s Art & Chocolate 2025 represents nearly every season — and ecosystem — in Centre County. The art has all been generously donated by local artists in support of ClearWater’s mission to connect, protect, restore, and steward the natural landscapes that surround us.
The exhibit is opening with a casual reception on Friday, Dec. 6 at 3 Dots Downtown as part of Downtown State College’s First Friday celebration. All are welcome to stop in to view the art, chat with artists, connect with one another, and enjoy light refreshments in a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere.
In addition to the exhibit, artists had the opportunity to enter a featured art contest to select a piece of art that would represent this year’s Art & Chocolate event, the 27th annual since its inception in 1999.
Three judges — Lori Fisher of the Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County, Melanie Rosenberger of the Art Alliance, and Erica Quinn of 3 Dots Downtown — reviewed the submissions and chose “Fish Crow in a Marsh” by Melissa Kreye.
This is Kreye’s first donation to Art & Chocolate, though she is not new to either art or conservation. She is a professor of forest resources management at Penn State and has been a painter for many years and enjoys expressing her interest in the natural world through creative outlets.
“As a scientist, I am trained to focus on the key elements of nature, isolating them for analysis,” said Kreye. “As an artist, however, I strive to reveal how seemingly unrelated parts come together to form a unified whole. It's fascinating how shifting perspectives on nature can offer new ways of seeing the same image.”
Each of the pieces in the exhibit and auction has similar connections to the natural world, whether it’s a landscape scene or a more abstract artistic ecosystem.
“This event is such a celebration of our community,” said Elizabeth Crisfield, ClearWater’s executive director. “Seeing all the donated pieces together in one gallery really showcases our region’s breadth and depth of talent. Plus, in February, we see even more local artistry in the sweet donations from our area’s bakeries and restaurants!”
The Art & Chocolate event on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at 3 Dots Downtown is free to attend, but supporters can pre-purchase a “Super Sweet” ticket to receive a box of goodies from local chefs. Super Sweet tickets will go on sale in January, and the online auction will open Jan. 17, 2025.
All proceeds from the online auction and ticket sales, with additional support from generous sponsors, will support ClearWater’s local conservation work.
More info about Art & Chocolate and ClearWater Conservancy is available online at clearwaterconservancy.org/artandchocolate.
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