THREE LOCAL ARTISTS COMBINE TALENTS TO CREATE AMERICA 250 BANNERS FOR DOWNTOWN WAYNESBORO
By Robb Helfrick
During America’s 1976 Bicentennial celebration, three Waynesboro High School students, all aspiring artists, took part in a local creative project. The trio painted the town’s fire hydrants with patriotic themes and colors.
After graduating from WASHS in 1976/77, Larry Selman, Greg Small, and Andy Smetzer grew into adulthood and each pursued careers in art and graphic design. Fifty years later, they’ve achieved success in their professional lives, which have taken them to various locations and given them many stories to share.
Now, in the year that our country turns 250, these three artists have come full circle. They are promoting a modern-day art project in Waynesboro that will dress up downtown with patriotic pride. By combining their artistic talents, Smetzer, Small, and Selman will ensure that Waynesboro has a banner “America 250” celebration this summer.
After high school, Andy Smetzer graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. He built a successful career in graphic design, working with diverse clientele in various industries. Andy later became a respected art photographer and creator of other imaginative art pieces.
Greg Small graduated from the York Academy of Arts. His career in graphic design and advertising took him to multiple locations in Pennsylvania and Maryland. As a Marketing Manager and Creative Director, Small managed ad campaigns for large consumer corporations, like Hershey’s, and also worked with industrial firms. Both he and Smetzer have recently retired.
Larry Selman also attended the York Academy of Arts. After graduation, his career took off when he found an agent who recognized his skills. Selman initially created artwork in the toy industry, working with iconic brands like GI Joe and Batman. When that industry slowed, he ventured into creating military art. Since 2000, Larry has built a first-class reputation for painting military subjects with impressive realism and detail.
Together, these three art professionals have over 130 years of experience. During a recent interview to discuss their new Waynesboro “Banner Blitz” project, Larry glanced at his two friends. “We’ve been professionals for 45 years.” Greg Small voiced his agreement. “Yes, and we’ve learned a lot during our careers.” Andy Smetzer nodded and smiled. “This project brought the three of us together.”
When 2026 began, Selman wondered how Waynesboro would celebrate the country’s 250th. He learned that the annual Fourth of July parade was planned, but not much else was in the works. Larry thought back to his teenage fire hydrant project and conceived a new idea: decorative banners.
Selman envisioned these banners lining Main Street, adorned with historic and cultural subjects from Waynesboro and the nation. He approached Mayor Royer with the idea, who encouraged Selman to formulate a plan.
Selman had served as President of the Waynesboro Studio Club, which was a group of talented amateur artists. However, to get the banner project rolling quickly, he called his friends Greg Small and Andy Smetzer to enlist their professional help.
“I told them they’d make no money on this project,” Selman said, in a teasing voice. Realizing the unique potential in creating the banners, both Smetzer and Small immediately signed on.
The trio brainstormed to compile a list of appropriate subjects for the banners. “It’s been an organic process,” Selman said. They wanted to include a variety of local and national historical subjects and were open to considering other American innovations and concepts.
Some banner subjects were obvious choices. Waynesboro’s industrial giants, such as Frick Company, Geiser Mfg., and Landis Machine, were at the top of the list. Local landmarks like Borough Hall and Renfrew, and notable people like Anthony Wayne, were also no-brainers.
As the three artists traded notes, the list grew to over 120 potential subjects. At the beginning, Mayor Royer thought creating 20 banners would be an accomplishment. However, the trio learned that 89 downtown light poles were equipped with the necessary banner-holding brackets. That infrastructure had previously supported specialty banners for Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day. So, Selman, Small, and Smetzer aimed higher.
With any ambitious project, a major obstacle is funding. The borough didn’t have a banner budget set aside, but arranged a $500 state grant. Selman estimated each banner would cost $100 to print (the artists would contribute their art and design work for free), which meant the budget totaled almost $10,000.
As news spread about the group’s exciting art project, people and businesses stepped forward to sponsor individual banners. Afterward, budget concerns were no longer a major roadblock.
The project’s positive momentum continued as the printing cost fell to $85 per banner. The group had found a local printer who embraced their concept and offered a discount. “We’re spending the money locally, so we feel good about that,” Small said.
After Small, Smetzer, and Selman presented three sample banners at a Borough Council meeting, they received approval to hang the banners on Main Street from Broad to Fairview Avenues.
The artists then met with the Rotary Club and other businesses, and their decorative concept received additional support. The banner concept generated excitement, since the artists created a striking design. The banners have alternating red and blue backgrounds with white lettering. Each one will be two feet wide, four feet high, and made with heavy-gauge vinyl.
From their prior work experience, the three artists understood the visual requirements for their project. “You have 3 to 5 seconds to capture somebody’s attention,” Small said, noting that lettering must be easy to read as people drive by.
Working with autonomy, the group progressed with efficiency. Some banner subjects were discarded, while others were added after recommendations by enthusiastic Waynesborians. “If you do that (subject), I’ll buy it,” was a common comment.
The list of subjects kept growing, but then it was whittled down. Each artist contributed ideas and then took charge of that artwork. A list of must-have subjects was identified for printing, even if they lacked sponsors. “We’ve decided if it’s really important, we’ll print it,” Selman commented.
Selman was the obvious artist choice for military subjects, while Smetzer has managed the photography-driven banners, and Small has worked on pop culture and other varied subjects.
Greg mentioned he worked on a Frisbee banner, and Larry commented on how another art subject, the electric guitar, was invented in the USA. All three agreed that Little League baseball (first played in PA) was a fun concept to work on. Many other subjects brought back group memories from growing up in Waynesboro.
These three artists have genuine respect for each other. Remarking on their smooth collaboration, Selman said, “We’re professionals, and we trust each other.” When asked which banners they were especially proud of, all three pointed toward their partners. Larry said Andy and Greg were being modest. “They’ve done great work.”
The artists expect the banner designs and sponsorships to be finalized soon and then printed in May. The artwork will be installed in mid-June and then hang until early November.
“We’re excited about this, seeing this project hanging downtown,” Larry said. Since the group has already seen samples of the finished product, they can visualize the effect the collective artwork will create. “The banners print bright and sharp,” Smetzer said. Small agreed: “The detail is amazing.”
It is unlikely that any other locality will showcase America 250 décor as unique and specialized as Waynesboro. Mayor Royer agreed in a recent interview. “They’ve knocked it out of the park,” he said about the three artists’ efforts.
This banner project illustrates what a few people can accomplish with inspiration, talent, and perseverance. “With support from the community, we’re making it happen,” Selman said. “We took a chance, we could have fallen flat on our face, but the town stepped up.”
The three artists have partnered with Mainstreet Waynesboro to facilitate the banner sponsorships. A few are still available, and sponsors can have their name or business included on the design. After the banners come down in November, donors will receive them as a 250th keepsake. Contact Carie Carbaugh at Mainstreet Waynesboro (717-762-0397) for more information.
“We’ve learned a lot by doing this,” Greg Small said. All three artists plan to sit back and enjoy the banners once they’re installed. They don’t want a fuss made over their contributions. But a proud borough will likely sponsor a dedication ceremony once the banners are in place.
Reflecting on painting the town’s fire hydrants a half-century ago, Selman considered their current project, which might inspire future artists. “Maybe 50 years from now somebody will come up with a new idea and share it,” Larry said.
Small, Selman, and Smetzer have come a long way personally and professionally since ’76. But childhood memories linger, and pride in their hometown remains strong. This group’s America 250 banners will be a stunning sight on Main Street this summer. Their artwork will symbolize the group’s patriotism and showcase their half-century of creative work.
