About
Inspiring Creative Imaginations
Inspiring creativity and innovative thinking is at the heart of what we do. As an arts organization, every interaction with our students, artists, donors, and community members is focused on providing the confidence to discover and express unlimited imagination, innate creativity, and the potential to meet the needs of our thriving, vibrant community.
Founded in 1990 as a 501(c) arts non-profit, Creative York has been making the arts accessible to individuals ages 3 to 103 for over 30 years! Our location in downtown York, Pennsylvania features the Kerlin Gallery and The Art Lab; a ceramics studio; art classes for all ages; and several community outreach programs. Through these initiatives, we are proud to serve over 10,000 people each year.
Creative York Fast Facts
- Last year, 697 individuals participated in our classes and camps.
- Local schools utilize Creative York to supplement and enhance the education of their students — including literary arts, visual arts, and other curricula.
- Scouts can earn art merit badges through our classes.
- On average, 12 art exhibits are showcased in our galleries each year.
- The Kerlin Gallery and The Art Lab feature local, regional, and national artists’ work, as well as educational exhibits, classes, and art events.
- To date, we offer seven outreach programs focused on the arts.
- Our longest-running, most popular outreach program, Art in the Parks, features art-making activities that teach social skills, respect for others, group decision-making, teamwork, and positive self-expression to more than 600 children yearly.
To learn more about our services and financial performance, explore our 2021 annual report.
Our Mission
The arts are essential to development and self-expression. At Creative York, we are dedicated to inspiring the community through arts education, gallery experiences, and outreach programs.
Inspired by Our Mission & The Arts?
Meet Our Staff
Whether you are planning a visit to our galleries, interested in attending a week-long summer camp or looking to partner with us for a community event, our staff members are here to help and answer any questions you may have. Get in touch with us today!
Lyn Bergdoll has almost 40 years of experience working with non-profits and extensive community involvement. She previously served as the executive director at The Belmont Theatre in York, Pennsylvania, for 10 years. Throughout her career, she has also used her expertise to support the Junior Achievement of South Central PA, York Jewish Community Center, Appell Center for the Performing Arts (formerly Strand Capitol) and others. In addition to her professional achievements, Lyn is very active in the community. She serves as president of Distinguished Young Women of York County, a scholarship program that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent in young women. Plus, as organizer of Encore, a celebration of musical theatre in York County High Schools, Lyn supports the talent, work and accomplishments of our community’s high school musical productions.
Mindy started as a volunteer and teaching artist at Creative York over 25 years ago. For over 10 years she served as the director of education before taking on the executive director position in 2017. In 2022, she transitioned to her current position as creative director.
Mindy is a graduate of Towson University where she received her degree in psychology and art. She has taught art classes and workshops at the York County Youth Development Center, York City Recreation Centers, and at various after school programs. Mindy cultivates and maintains community relationships with arts organizations, community members, and diverse community programs. From 2008-2013 she led the Parking Meter Painting Project in Downtown York and West York Borough. She serves on the board of the York County Hispanic Coalition. She is a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education and Americans for the Arts. Mindy has been honored with the 2016 York Public Arts Award from the City of York for the Arts in the Parks Program. Currently she is serving on the New Mexico arts grant panel.
Amber Wiesberg is an artist living in York, Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania’s Fine Art Program and has been an active member in the downtown York art community since 2017. She is a painter, and her work is an explosion of bright colors and patterns. She loves experimenting with materials and trying new techniques. Prior to joining the team at Creative York, Amber was the Appell Fellow at Marketview Arts as well as the Assistant Camp Director at Howard County Arts Council in Ellicott City, Maryland.
Mikayla is a York County native artist who volunteered at Creative York for 3 years during high school, as well as participated in several artist events and competitions. She is a 2020 graduate of the University of Montevallo with a degree in Fine Arts and a minor in Business, and is currently a Graduate Student at Millersville University, where she is studying to obtain her Post-Baccalaureate Art Education Certification. Mikayla resides in Lancaster City with her husband Max, and two adorable dogs.
Professionally, Jodi Kohl has been in the publishing world in different capacities for 25+ years as well as health and dental fields. Creative York is her first experience in the art world, which she continues to gain appreciation for through all of the events and interactions with coworkers and artists at Creative York. Jodi expresses her visions of art through indoor and outdoor gardening and she has a passion for health and fitness. Hands down, the beach is her happy place.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Pat has enjoyed a career working in the museum profession, first as Registrar with the Historical Society of York County and later as Curator of the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia, Pa. After moving to New Mexico and living in Santa Fe for several years, she returned to Pennsylvania and worked with the non-profit Rails-to-Trails Conservancy until retiring in 2014.
Pat has had a number of successful solo shows in Pennsylvania and Maryland and regularly exhibits her work in juried and group shows in the area. She was was awarded an Artists Professional Development Grant by the Cultural Alliance of York County.
A catalog of Pats work is available on Instagram @pattomes and at www.pattomesart.com