Autumn Exploration
- Celebrating Autumn at the Ned Smith Center -
October 8th, 2022 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Visit us and bring the whole family on October 8 to enjoy Fall at the Ned Smith Center! Activities will include guided hikes, crafts, educational programs, a self-guided scavenger hunt, complimentary snacks, local cider, and entertainment!
Come check out those beautiful colors on the mountain and explore all that Autumn has to offer with us at the Ned Smith Center!
-Autumn Exploration Scavenger Hunt -
October 1st – October 31st, 2022
Hit the trails and explore fall at the Ned Smith Center with this self-guided activity! Pick up a passport from the trailhead kiosk and follow the map to find all our exploration stations, learn about the outdoors, fill your passport, and turn it in to earn a reward! Rewards can be collected Monday – Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art Offices (downstairs) or Gift Shop (upstairs) until November 1st, 2022. Limit one prize per child, while supplies last.
Nature & Arts Festival
Join us for this annual FREE celebration of nature and the arts; the perfect way to celebrate summer! Since 1994, the Center has held its annual festival, which began as the “Ned Smith Tribute Festival.” Now, more than 25 years later, this event is still going strong, bringing free family-friendly, educational entertainment to thousands of people all over central Pennsylvania. Although elements of the festival have changed over the years, certain favorite activities have become permanent fixtures, like the make-it-yourself bluebird boxes, live-animal demonstrations, delicious local food and artisans and our fish-print t-shirts!
The Annual Nature & Arts Festival is held every year on the last Saturday in July!
This years event is July 30th, 2022!
2022 Nature & Arts Festival Registration Forms:
Ted Lick Memorial Sporting Clays Classic
Presented by UPMC Health Plan
Ready, pull!
You don’t want to miss this high-profile sporting clay shoot, held at Blue Ridge Sportsmen’s Club in Linglestown, PA.
Enjoy a round of 100 clay birds, a cocktail hour and awards dinner, and a silent and live auction. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and shoot with dozens of central Pennsylvania business leaders. And all the while, you’ll be supporting the Center and our unique and dynamic education programming.
Tröegs + NSCNA Rugged 5K Trail Run
Our Tröegs sponsored RUGGED Trail Run engaged over 300 participants PLUS spectators, staff, volunteers and vendors.. We are geared up for making this years run another successful fundraiser in support of Our Mission of merging the arts and the natural world.
The Center boasts a beautiful woodland setting, 12 miles of trails on 500+ acres, a scenic bridge over the Wiconisco Creek, a natural play area, three ever changing art galleries featuring Ned Smith’s art and various national and local artists, a gift shop AND innovative educational programs.
This race is open to all ages, and prizes will be given to the top male and female runners in each age group.
On your mark, get set, go!
The 2023 Tröegs Rugged Trail Run will be held on September 9th!
2022 Race Results are available below!
Desoto Amphitheater
The DeSoto Amphitheater for the Performing Arts is an expression of the Ned Smith Center’s mission to merge the worlds of nature and the arts. At the DeSoto Amphitheater, the arts have a home surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the Ned Smith Center lands.
Doors open at 6 p.m., performances begin at 7:30p.m., unless otherwise noted.
Please note that the Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors show has been postponed until 2023.
Celebrating our 30th Anniversary, the 2023 DeSoto Amphitheater season schedule is our biggest and best yet, keep a lookout in January of 2023 for the full schedule!
NED sMITH cENTER ANNUAL gALA
The 2022 NSCNA Gala "A Tribute to Our Veterans" will be held on November on November 11th at the Country Club of Harrisburg!
The Gallery CONCERTS
At night, within the walls of our beautiful Ned Smith Gallery, intimate concerts are held during the spring months. Join us as we bring together top name local and national talent to perform at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art.
Our 2023 Gallery Season Schedule will be available in January, 2023!
Online Wildlife Art Auction
For over 25 years, the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art has held the premier spot for wildlife art auctions! This event is not to be missed, you’ll find every big name in wildlife art including prints and originals from Ned Smith, himself.
Just like last year, our 2023 Ned Smith Center Wildlife Art Auction is being held completely online! All of the auction pieces will be available to view on September 19th in the Olewine Gallery. You will also be able to view the items online prior and during the duration of the auction
Our 2023 Wildlife Art Auction will start online on October 1st and then it will end October 14th.
Consignment Basics:
- NSCNA will assess a 30% consignment fee following the auction.
- All artwork must be framed prior to the auction. Unless prior framing arrangements have been made, NSCNA will arrange for framing at a discount by its framer, ArtWorks Gallery and Custom Framing.
- The remaining 70% less framing expenses (if applicable) will be paid to the consignor following the auction.
- The Center reserves the right to refuse artwork at its discretion.
- The Center only uses one of any given piece in the auction each year. If a consignor wishes to consign a piece that has already been secured for the next auction, that piece may be held until the following year.
Please contact us about donations and consignments for the auction. Interested parties should call the Center at 717-692-3699 and speak with John Booth, executive director.