April Koppenhaver, the founder, owner, and director of Mulberry Art Studios in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is marking her 70th birthday with a comprehensive interactive art exhibition titled "The Art Of." The show opens December 5 at the Louise Gallery within Mulberry Art Studios and will remain on display throughout December by appointment only, with a First Friday reception scheduled from 5-8 p.m.
Koppenhaver has been a distinctive presence in Lancaster's arts community since arriving in 1977 with dreams of creating a prototype gallery that would inspire similar venues nationwide. Known for her unruly auburn curls and vibrant spirit since childhood, she brings a unique background to her artistic endeavors, including an internship with Mister Rogers' Neighborhood during her college years near Pittsburgh, where she worked alongside beloved characters Daniel Tiger and Lady Elaine.
The multi-faceted exhibition explores various dimensions of artistic life through several themed sections that complete the phrase "The Art Of." These include "The Art of Discovery," "The Art of Listening," and "The Art of Baking," among others. One particularly engaging installation, "The Art of Seeing Beauty in the Ordinary," challenges viewers to identify mysterious photographs that reveal themselves as everyday objects when viewed from different perspectives, such as the rusty wheel rim of an ancient tractor.
Interactive elements enhance the visitor experience, including a painting station where children can create ornaments from recycled materials. "The Art of Words" section showcases Koppenhaver's poetry, featuring pieces like "An Artist's Prayer," which has been hand-calligraphed by Joanne Young Stephan, her first resident studio artist. The prayer reads: "Oh Lord, if I could only paint like I see, write as I whisper, sing like I listen, run as far and as fast as I think, fly as free as I dream."
The exhibition also traces Koppenhaver's personal journey, displaying her 1973 high school yearbook from Springfield High School in Delaware County, where she served as editor-in-chief. "I am still very proud of that incredible labor of love," Koppenhaver reflects. Her path to Lancaster began through her first marriage to Barry Van Aulen, whom she met at West Chester University before continuing her studies in elementary education and communications at Chatham University in Pittsburgh.
Describing her internship experience, Koppenhaver fondly remembers Fred Rogers as "the kindest, sweetest man, a true educator. It was a wonderful experience." After settling in Lancaster in 1982, she obtained her real estate license to help secure funding for her dream arts center, which became reality in 1988 when she opened Mulberry Art Studios in a renovated 22,000-square-foot building originally constructed by Wohlsen Construction Company in 1900 as the Gunzenhauser Bakery.
Stephanie Clayton-Kulfan, who has served as the gallery's curator for over 20 years, praised Koppenhaver's lasting impact: "Working with April for over 20 years, I have seen firsthand what an innovative, motivated, and creative force she truly is, both for the art community and in her own work." The exhibition includes "The Art of Traveling" section, dedicated to Koppenhaver's late husband Charlie Gaul, an award-winning photographer and owner of Lancaster Business Supply, who passed away in 2019 after 10 years of marriage.
Despite their 30-year age difference, Koppenhaver and Gaul traveled extensively together, visiting destinations like Greece and Turkey. Their shared adventures are preserved through keepsakes and photographs displayed in the traveling section, while Gaul's legacy continues through the annual "We Love Our Pets" exhibit honoring him and his beloved mixed-breed dog Milo. Recently, Koppenhaver has reconnected with her first husband Barry Van Aulen, finding renewed companionship in their seventies.
"I have to say, it is so great to be back with Barry again, the man who introduced me to Lancaster, and Lancaster is the city which has allowed me to live my dream," Koppenhaver explains. At 70, she remains actively involved in gallery operations, often accompanied by her cherished Chihuahua-Shih Tzu mix named Valentino, and has no immediate retirement plans.
Koppenhaver views herself as "an artist and poet, but also as an educator and a supporter of the arts. I am definitely multi-faceted." She emphasizes that this exhibition is not intended as a farewell gesture, stating, "I am passionate about what I do, and while I am still in good health, I want to keep doing what I love." The celebration reflects both a personal milestone and a testament to decades of dedication to Lancaster's artistic community, demonstrating how one person's vision can create lasting cultural impact through sustained commitment and creative passion.
