Celebrate September’s First Friday with art at the historic 1787 Ellicott House

By HPTrust Manager | August 13, 2024

Join us on Friday, September 6, from 5 to 8 pm, at the historic 1787 Ellicott House, located at 123 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA, for a special First Friday event hosted by the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County. This event will feature two incredible local artists: Kimberly Reddinger-Weit and Evanna Morris.

Kimberly Reddinger Weit, an award-winning artist, brings a unique blend of texture and form to her works, creating pieces that are both visually stunning and deeply tactile. Evanna Morris, a talented painter, infuses her creations with a sense of warmth and individuality, making her work a perfect complement to Weit’s.

Visitors are invited to explore the beautiful Ellicott House, a gem of Lancaster’s rich architectural history, while enjoying the artwork on display. In addition to the First Friday Open House, the Ellicott House will also be open to the public every Tuesday and Friday throughout September from 10 am to 1 pm, providing even more opportunities to experience these artists’ work in this historic setting.

Don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in art and history at one of Lancaster’s most iconic locations. We look forward to welcoming you!

Meet the Artist: Evanna Morris

Evanna has always enjoyed the creative process, whether it is painting, weaving, jewelry making, felting, sketching, gardening, or cooking. For the last ten years, her passion has been watercolor painting. She holds a BFA with a teaching certificate from Bowling Green State University and a Masters of Education in Art from Millersville University. She has lived in Lancaster County with her family since 1986 and is currently serving a term as a board member of the Lancaster County Art Association and has enjoyed seeing Lancaster’s transformation to a vibrant Art Culture.

Evanna loves to experiment with new techniques and subject matter and go a little out of her comfort zone. She continues to learn new things. For the last five years, she has been so honored to be able to participate in several exterior mural projects with other artists, including her friend and mentor, Steve Wilson. Many of the murals are in the newly developed area on the Manheim Pike near the intersection of Fruitville Pike. Others include Homefields in Millersville, Purple Robin Reserve in Lititz, and others. The mural business is blossoming with more planned for the near future.

With her art, Evanna hopes to create a story or a mood. Many of her paintings reflect her surroundings either at home in Lancaster County or in her travels to Iceland, Costa Rica, Europe, the Virgin Islands, and all over the US. She gladly does commissions of all sorts, including pets, people, homes, and landscapes.

Check out her website or message her on social media if you are interested in a special commission just for you, a friend, or family member.

Learn more

You can find Morris on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and the web.

Click here to learn more about Morris and see more of her artwork.

You can also reach Evanna via email at EvannaMorris@gmail.com.

Meet the Artist: Kimberly Reddinger-Weit

Kimberly Reddinger-Weit has always been interested in and involved with the arts, attributing her beloved art teachers as influential leaders along her path professionally. Kimberly is a retired art teacher herself, dedicating over 30 years to the Penn Manor School District. She attended and trained at the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and received her teaching certificate at the Millersville University of Pennsylvania. She has earned additional accreditations from the University of the Arts of Philadelphia, The University of Pennsylvania, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Temple University, Arcadia University, Wilkes University, and The Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.
Kimberly has been an original vendor to Madcap and Co. Marketplace, since it opened its doors in September of 2015 in response to the makers movement, and has recently transferred to its sister store Building Character, a multi-vendor marketplace that is the home to over 70 artists and creators at 342 North Queen Street, in Lancaster, PA. Her artwork, along with her husband, guilted Master Weaver, and artist Eric Weit, showcased in the warehouse under the name Studioweit.
Kimberly is also in the trio Dillweed Band, and you can find her slapping her 3/4 sized upright double bass, Griszelda, all over Lancaster County, the surrounding areas, and up and down the eastern states playing old-time folk, spiced up with a bit of fun and a whole lot of shenanigans. Seeing the transformation of her hometown, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is a delight in all aspects of the arts, visually, musically, culinary, and in the landscape itself! It’s as if the Neighborhood is vibrating with life again. She and her bandmates are constantly working with Music for Everyone, and are raising awareness and contributing to local food banks – no one should go hungry, especially our children. Kimberly believes we are all connected and that by giving back to the community allows her to be a better human, more in touch with her artwork and her surroundings.

Kimberly’s artwork and ceramic pieces may be found in a real storefront, Building Character, 342 N Queen Street, Lancaster, PA, and online.

Learn more

You can find Kimberly on Facebook and Instagram. For more information about the band, Dillweed, visit their website or YouTube page. Custom orders are always welcome, and you can contact Kimberly by messaging her at: gravitygal@comcast.net

Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County

The Trust was established in 1966 to help “stem the rapid destruction of historic properties in Lancaster County.” Through the years, the Trust has been active in helping to preserve many historic properties in Lancaster County that contribute to their respective communities as unique places for people to live, work, and play.

Our equation for success has been working for over 50 years. Look around you and know that our advocacy and direct action have resulted in saving hundreds of historic structures and other sites throughout the county. The flip side is that not everything can and should be saved. The Trust continually faces this delicate balance and works closely with all parties involved to reach an equitable decision for all. Sadly, it sometimes takes an irreplaceable loss to a community before preservation moves higher on the priority list.

Consider joining the Trust today.

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