A New Chapter for a 120‑Year‑Old Arts Institution
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Emma Halsey
Aired January 21st, 2026.
The Spark turned its attention from railroads to the arts. Specifically, to the York Art Association and its first‑ever executive director, Roth J. Prep.
Prep grew up in York, walking its streets, discovering its hidden corners, and immersing himself in the city’s creative energy. That early connection shaped his career in music, youth arts organizations, and philanthropy, all of which eventually led him to the York Art Association in 2023.
Leading Through Legacy and Change
Founded in 1905, the York Art Association has operated for more than a century without an executive director, relying on volunteers who still contribute more than 3,500 hours each year. Prep stepped into the role at a pivotal moment: the organization’s building was acquired through eminent domain, forcing a major transition.
Rather than simply relocate, the association chose transformation.
The Little Green Church: A New Home with Deep Roots
The organization purchased the historic “Little Green Church” on Linden Avenue. A late‑19th‑century church with a surprising amount of space. Its 14,000 square feet will allow the association to expand from one classroom to two, add an event space, create multiple galleries, and offer more educational opportunities.
Prep is now leading a $2 million capital campaign to renovate the building. Since early 2024, the association has already raised $1.45 million, much of it from first‑time donors.
The building also carries a poetic connection to the association’s origins: its stained‑glass windows were created by J. Horace Rudy, one of the organization’s original founders.
Why the Arts Matter for York’s Future
Prep sees the arts not just as cultural enrichment, but as economic and community infrastructure.
Arts organizations, he notes, generate significant economic return, support working artists, and create spaces for connection, expression, and wellbeing. Participation in the association’s programs grew 44% in just one year, a sign of growing demand.
“We’re creating a foundation for generations of artists,” Prep says. “And we’re building a quality‑of‑life asset for the entire community.”
Looking Ahead
Both Wolfe and Prep are stewards of institutions rooted in Pennsylvania’s past, but neither is simply preserving history. They’re expanding it, interpreting it, and ensuring it remains alive for the next generation.
Whether through the roar of a locomotive echoing across the Horseshoe Curve or the quiet focus of a painting class inside a historic church, these stories remind us that legacy isn’t something we inherit, it’s something we continue to build.
