BUCYRUS–A piece of the city’s past is coming to life Friday when a collection of newly created paintings is unveiled during the “First Friday” kick-off event downtown.
More than a dozen paintings – all done by Crawford County artists – are being displayed from 5 to 7 p.m. in the community room of First Federal Community Bank. An ode to Bucyrus – and to the people and places that shaped its history over the last 201 years.
“They’re beautiful, all kinds of different media and sizes,” said Elaine Gebhardt Naples, the project coordinator and member of the city’s Bicentennial Commission. “What we’re trying to do is bring back to life these historical features, things beyond Bucyrus.”
The original artwork depicts the Bucyrus Copper Kettle Works, the old Dostal Brewery, Hopley Monument, and Pickwick Place, among others. Some pieces are a tribute to Johnny Appleseed and to community mainstays like Eddie Norton and John Kennedy.
The pieces are framed in old wooden frames donated by Linda Stitzlein and Mike and Sharon Zahn, Naples said. Her father, Elwood Gebhardt, pitched in by rebuilding some of the frames and then painting them metallic copper, so the mini art show collection matched.
The project was no easy task, but Naples had a vision.
In January, she said, she was looking for a way to boost business in her beloved hometown, especially at hotels, and possibly get local artists involved. She hooked up with artist Peg Vasil in March, and they became “competent comrades.”
Naples, who lives in Texas, compiled a “mini list” of historical ideas for the artists to portray.
Meanwhile, her father and Vasil visited hotels and sought advice from Jessie Furner of the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce. They got the ball rolling.
“We had a fabulous start.
I can’t believe how gracious people have been,” Naples said. “What we have turned around in this amount of time, this is serious. It really, really, is incredible.”
Vasil turned in a 30-by40-inch oil painting, a tribute to Norton and Kennedy featuring red roses and musical instruments. Watercolors, acrylics, pastels, and even a reverse painting on glass by Denise Corney make up other pieces in the exhibit.
Furner is displaying all the works on easels, after which they will find a permanent home in downtown businesses and eventually go up for sale, Naples said. Recreations of a bygone era. Pieces to admire for generations to come.
“I can’t believe how much they produced in a short amount of time,” Naples said. We pulled it off in a few months. They’re pretty impressive. I think it’s incredible. I’m just so proud of what we could all do.”
