Gallery History

The charming Early American home of Laurel Arts – the Philip Dressler Center – was built in 1832 by Sheriff Joseph Imhoff. It is rumored to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad. Some 110 years after the Civil War, a group of Somerset area artists and community leaders began to grow an idea which would eventually create the first non-profit, fully-staffed rural arts center in Pennsylvania.

Dorothy B. Dressler, owner of the Imhoff home, offered the property as the new art center in memory of her husband Philip d’huc Dressler.

Today, the galleries at the Philip Dressler Center for the Arts showcase around ten exhibits annually. We also have the Gallery Shoppe @ Dressler which features works for sale from local and regional artists and First Night, which is our annual holiday celebration that features special vendors and events.

Laurel Arts has an impressive Permanent Collection featuring over 400 pieces of artwork from artists all over the world with a special focus on local and regional artists, including works dating back to the 1800’s. While the majority of our collection are traditional paintings, we also have an outstanding collection of photography, fiber and sculptural pieces, all of which are rotated and exhibited in the galleries at various times.