You don’t have to be a professional artist to be inspired by a drive along one of Centre County’s beautiful agricultural corridors. The seasonal textures and colors of our rolling hills, lush fields and bucolic farmscapes provide ideal settings for anyone looking to embrace their creative side.
This is the experience that Kaleidoscope PA’s Sarah Zappe offers through the unique art classes she hosts in a variety of settings, including some of Happy Valley’s most popular farms. She has witnessed how creativity is unleashed when art and agriculture combine, and attendees discover the artist within.
One of those farms – Rooted Farmstead in Bellefonte – happens to be one of Zappe’s favorite places to paint. Surrounded by flowers, the site was where Zappe held her first watercolor class. It is no surprise that it holds a special place in her heart.
“I initially started teaching watercolor at Rooted Farmstead several years ago, answering an Instagram post by owner, Christie Holloway, asking for people interested in leading workshops at her flower farm,” Zappe said. “Being an educational psychologist who helps faculty with teaching, I said to myself, ‘I can do that!’”
That initial class led her to establish Kaleidoscope PA, which emphasizes the wellness benefits of art and the creative process. Skill level as an artist doesn’t matter, she is quick to point out.
In seeking out locations for her workshops, Zappe said there are so many beautiful locations in Centre County that are not fully known to people.
“I love when I hear that people attending my classes are at a farm or venue for the first time,” she said.
In addition to Rooted Farmstead, Zappe has taught watercolor and other workshops at The Heirloom Farmer and the Mini Whinnies at Quarter Acre Wood in Port Matilda, and at historic Nittany Meadow Farm near Boalsburg.
Whether it is the miniature horses at Quarter Acre Wood or the adorable mini-Nubian and Nigerian Dwarf goats at Nittany Meadow Farm, Zappe said that teaching surrounded by animals is a fun experience.
“I absolutely love teaching among the goats as it’s just silly and I love seeing people laughing and smiling,” she said.
Isabel Lange, who’s stable of miniature horses greets guests who visit her Port Matilda farm has always loved art and horses. Working with Sarah, she can share that love with visitors to her farm.
“Every guest, the creative and the ‘not creative’ walk away with works of art and a new perspective on ‘maybe I can be creative,’ which is incredible,” Lange said. “It’s tough to be creative in a crazy busy world with the stress of work, finances, whatever. So, I love that we can keep the workshops affordable, put them in a relaxing space, and have fun!”
Lange said within a few minutes, people from different walks of life have a smile on their face, are laughing, have made new friends, and can’t wait to explore watercolor again or visit the horses again.
Abbie Spackman of The Heirloom Farmer said that working with Zappe this past fall added a unique evening to activities at the farm’s popular sunflower field.
“Multiple attendees mentioned how relaxing and refreshing the class was and that painting in the sunflower field, at sunset, was a highlight to their summer,” she said. “Magical is a word several people used.”
Both Lange and Spackman look forward to working with Kaleidoscope this year and inviting new and repeat visitors to start their own art and agriculture journey.
Follow Kaleidoscope PA on social media for more information about the 2025 lineup of workshops.