THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Discover the Susquehanna River through the eyes of artist Diana Thomas in this 30-minute talk at Columbia Crossing. Her weekly paintings reveal the river’s evolving colors and resilience, blending art with heartfelt reflections on loss and healing.
Discover the Susquehanna River through the eyes of artist Diana Thomas in this 30-minute talk at Columbia Crossing. Her weekly paintings reveal the river’s evolving colors and resilience, blending art with heartfelt reflections on loss and healing.
Book with Susquehanna National Heritage Area
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Susquehanna National Heritage Area · Columbia, Pennsylvania
The Susquehanna River carves a vital thread through central Pennsylvania, its shifting currents and colors reflecting both the land’s deep natural history and the communities it nourishes. At Columbia Crossing River Trails Center in Columbia, PA, the Susquehanna National Heritage Area offers a compelling window into this landscape’s emotional and artistic life with “Current Color: A Year on the Susquehanna,” a 30-minute lecture by local artist Diana Thomas.
Diana’s work is an intimate weekly chronicle—vivid paintings that capture the river’s changing moods and hues throughout a year. Beyond the surface beauty, her series is a meditation on grief, resilience, and regeneration, born from a personal journey through loss and healing. Visitors to this talk gain more than an art viewing; they witness how nature’s flow can inform perseverance and inspire creative transformation.
Columbia Crossing is a hub on the 85-mile Susquehanna River Trail, a popular spot for paddlers, anglers, and hikers drawn to the river’s blend of wetlands, rocky bluffs, and forested floodplains. The center offers ADA accessibility, making this cultural experience approachable for many. Refreshments accompany the talk, encouraging reflection and community connection.
The Susquehanna National Heritage Area plays a unique role by weaving together natural, cultural, and historical threads of the valley. This event highlights how art can deepen outdoor appreciation and foster emotional ties to place—transforming a simple river walk into a moment of shared human experience.
Whether you’re a local resident or passing through en route to the Keystone State’s outdoor adventures, Diana Thomas’s lecture invites you to see the Susquehanna River anew: as a living, breathing force that shapes land, spirit, and story.
easy.
30 minutes.
Suitable for all fitness levels; seating is provided.
At Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, 41 Walnut St, Columbia, PA.
The talk lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Yes, tickets start at $5 per person.
Yes, Columbia Crossing is fully ADA accessible.
Light refreshments are provided following the lecture.
No prior art background is needed; the talk is welcoming to all visitors.
Columbia Crossing sits where the Susquehanna River has long been a transportation and commerce artery dating back to indigenous communities.
The Susquehanna National Heritage Area promotes sustainable river use and habitat preservation through education and community engagement.
The Susquehanna National Heritage Area in Columbia, Pennsylvania curates public programs and guided experiences that spotlight the Susquehanna River's cultural and natural heritage. Serving Columbia and the surrounding river corridor, the organization presents a mix of boat tours, seasonal festivals, author programs, guided walks, and historic-site tours designed for visitors of all ages. Signature offerings include heritage cruises aboard the historic Chief Uncas — a 112-year-old electric wooden launch — sunset and themed boat tours, and the River Discovery Boat Tour, all led by knowledgeable guides who interpret the river’s stories. Seasonal highlights include RIVERFEST events such as the “Paddle the Battle” kayak tour and the community-focused “Kindling Kickoff,” which features live music, hands-on activities, and family-friendly entertainment. The Susquehanna National Heritage Area also hosts cultural programs like Riverside Reads, an author talk series held in scenic, historic settings, and seasonal nature programs such as the Spring Bird Walk in Native Lands County Park. Public tours of the Mifflin House introduce visitors to a historic Underground Railroad site and provide an early look at the planned Susquehanna Discovery Center & Heritage Park. All programming emphasizes accurate historical interpretation and safe, accessible experiences on and along the Susquehanna River. Visitors are encouraged to review event details and reserve spots in advance, especially for small-capacity boat cruises and guided paddles.
Book with Susquehanna National Heritage Area