Public Art
Since 2003 the HCAC has played an active role in public art and art in public spaces in Huntingdon County. The HCAC encourages inquiries from communities with an interest in engaging in a public art project. We have successfully secured grant funding in the past and have completed a number of mural projects in Huntingdon Borough and serve in an advisory capacity to the borough of Huntingdon.
Mosaic Mural, Huntingdon
In August 2003 artist Joe Brenman completed the mosaic mural on the corner of Penn and 8th Streets in Huntingdon, the first public art collaboration between the Borough of Huntingdon and the Huntingdon County Arts Council. Joe Brenman, a mural artist and sculptor from Philadelphia was selected from a pool of applicants, and spent considerable time becoming acquainted with Huntingdon, its residents, researching its history, touring the surroundings and participating in a public meeting to gather input. At this meeting, residents shared their visions for the mural – inclusion of elements that depict pre-historic elements, reference to ‘ordinary’ people, the workers of Huntingdon, the importance of transportation, abstraction as an artistic element, the Juniata River, to mention a few.
Joe Brenman started the mural at his home studio in Philadelphia, creating five relief plaques that would become the central elements of a historic timeline. Installed in sequence from right to left, each plaque is ‘framed’ by other materials in geometric shapes and colors in reference to the individual plaque.
The first plaque depicts fossils as found in the area, which have received national attention in particular from the Smithsonian Institute. The surrounding green tile, marble chips and other materials form a giant nautilus as can be observed from a distance. Up close, the pedestrian can distinguish fossils and agates imbedded in the mural relating to this natural, prehistoric time.
The next plaque depicts Huntingdon’s most recognizable symbol – the Standing Stone. The artist used the negative rather than a positive relief as the original Standing Stone has been lost. This plaque is surrounded by circles of green tile and marble in reference to nature and its importance to Native American life and American Indian culture once present in this area.
The third plaque located just before the turn in the wall is within the sightline of the Blair Building, and appropriately depicts the Blair Building as representation of Huntingdon’s industry. A pair of hands holding a rectangular object, whether brick or paper tablet, speaks of the workers of Huntingdon who have created this built environment. The plaque is centered in a diamond shape to represent the Diamond in Huntingdon. Once the town square, it is located in the area of 5th and Penn Street.
The most striking and dramatic color combination of black and red on the curved portion of the wall immediately demands the attention of incoming motorists, and calls tribute to transportation and industry. The corresponding plaque features the railroad and a stylized canal. Corner insets commemorate local events and businesses – the bicentennial, J.C. Blair Hospital, the prison, bricks from the former brickyard.
The final plaque is a tribute to local craftspeople, in particular potters. Adjacent to the plaque, local potter Jack Troy lent a helping hand and arranged ancient pottery shards (left) with pottery pieces of modern vintage by local artists and Juniata College students (right) in a ying-yang pattern. Student Chris Drobnock installed additional pieces from a pottery once located on 3rd Street in Huntingdon in a spiral formation. The final, furthest to the left arrangement, contains items submitted by a local Girl Scout troupe that hopes to undertake another mural project in the near future.
The different sections of the mural are connected by a band of varying blue marbles, glass and mirrors that represents the Juniata River and its contributories. Interspersed are pottery fish and some enameled items created by local pottery students and artists.
The mural is the creative vision and work of artist Joe Brenman who has shared his knowledge with local artists, students and children and provided opportunities for anybody interested to participate. As he embraced Huntingdon’s curiosity, we hope that Huntingdon will care for his work.
“Folks came, left things, offered to help and took a genuine interest in the project. I want to put a general thank you to the people of Huntingdon for all you have done. This was a really great project.” Joe Brenman.
We thank all supporters and participants without whom this project would not have been possible, including: The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, DCED, The Borough of Huntingdon, Borough Council, Borough administrators and employees, The Huntingdon County Arts Council, and the many individuals who participated and donated their talents and time to the project. We also thank for the cooperation of Penn DOT and the contributions from businesses, including Ott Sign Company, The Daily News, and Kohlhepp Stone Center.
The project is funded in part by an Artists & Communities Grant, a program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, made possible by major funding from the Vira I. Heinz Endowment, The William Penn Foundation and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
Additional funding was provided through the Community Development Block Grant program of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
Portstown Park Murals
Huntingdon Borough established a new park to commemorate “Portstown”, a section of town that was devastated and removed during the 1972 flood. We commemorated Portstown on the concrete pillars that carry an abandoned railroad track through the park and introduced the history to the next generation who was previously unaware that this area was ever populated. On three of the pillars artist Matthew D’Alberto painted scenes that depict Portstown’s and Huntingdon’s history, researched and approved by Huntingdon Borough Council and the Huntingdon County Historical Society. The remaining pillars will be painted in monochromatic colors under guidance from the artist, involving local elementary school children. This activity took place in conjunction with the annual downtown field trip by the elementary school. Members of the historical society gave presentations about the history of the park and town. These joint activities have developed a strong sense of ownership in the park, artwork and community.
Position paper on Environmental Art