December’s “First Friday” Smart Talk – a focus on arts and culture in Central Pennsylvania — features three separate conversations, including one about an art exhibit and two others highlighted by holiday music.

The 54^th annual “Art of the State” exhibit is at the State Museum of Pennsylvania now through January 2. Curator Amy Hammond appears on Smart Talk Friday to discuss this broad and diverse, multimedia representation of art from across the state. Art of the State is in-person this year after being online only last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Current events like the pandemic and racial reckoning of last year are the subjects of many of the pieces.

Also on the program, “Joy to the Burg” is becoming a holiday tradition itself. The project includes an album of local musicians performing holiday favorites in music styles that include rock, bluegrass, choral, and brass.

Joy to the Burg will have a TV special on December 9 and performance showcase at the Englewood in Hershey December 12.

Proceeds go toward programs for homeless people in the region.

Founder Sheldon Jones and Steve Schwartz, Director of Development for Christian Churches United of the Tri-County Area are with us.

Finally, “Christmas with the Celts” comes to the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center in Hanover Sunday, December 5 at 3 p.m.

The Celts mix lively traditional Irish music and instrumentation with American pop music and their own originals.

Celts founder Ric Blair and Eichelberger Executive Director David Adler are on Smart Talk.