By Sarah O’Brien, Director of Downtown Inc
This week, I had the honor of sitting down with local legend and creative forces from her decades long career as an artist, including 30 pieces on loan from private collections and 30 pieces from her own personal collection, it is a visual autobiography, each piece marking a significant chapter in her journey. From her early days as a world-class illustrator for companies like Utz, to her time as a beloved teacher at Bradly Academy and York College of Pennsylvania, Brenda has always been guided by one thing: the certainty that she was born to paint.
Over coffee, Brenda told me about her “SOBs,” her Students of Brenda’s, which immediately struck a chord since my own initials happen to be S.O.B. For one magical hour, I got to join that club. Her generosity in sharing her stories, her humor, and her fearless approach to art was nothing short of inspiring.
Brenda is a true trailblazer in York’s arts scene. She fully leaned into plein air painting in York City, leading dozens of students through our streets to capture the spirit and architecture of York. She launched First Fridays when hers was the only studio on Philadelphia Street. She’s taught several notable community trailblazers over the years; even showing Bob Pullo how to draw before they partnered together to open a studio together downtown. And through it all, she has stayed focused on her craft, intentionally choosing her easel over board seats or committee meetings.
Her love for York is palpable. She comes to the city to absorb its energy, ideas, and inspiration, then retreats to her serene home in the county to unwind. Her paintings, much like her presence, elevate the culture of York. The White Rose Collection of iconic York City street scape canvases at downtown institution White Rose Bar and Grill brought new attention to her career, but Brenda’s legacy was already firmly rooted… in her art, her students, and the creative heartbeat of our city.
Brenda Wintermyer is a painter for the people, and her retrospective is a gift to all of us. I left our meeting with the same feeling I hope visitors will carry from her exhibit: awe at her talent, gratitude for her contributions, and inspiration to see our city with fresh eyes.
Join us for the opening reception of Brenda Wintermyer: Retrospective Exhibit at Creative York on Thursday, September 4, from 6–8 PM. Trust me — you’ll leave a student of Brenda’s, too.
