Blossburg News and Views for February 1, 2012

by Lonny Frost 31. January 2012 00:12
EVENTS and MEETINGS
 
Every Monday night is Bingo at St. Mary's Hall from 6:30 PM to 10 PM.
 
Feb. 2nd, The Kiwanis Club of Blossburg will meet in the KCC building at the Island Park from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
  
On Feb. 6th, The Southern Tioga School District Board Work Session will be held at the North Penn High School Library from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.  All are invited to attend.
 
On Monday, Feb. 13th the Blossburg Borough Council Meeting will be held from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
 
There will also be a School Board Meeting on that day in the auditorium of the North Penn High School from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.  All are openly invited to attend.
 
Remember to send your announcements to news@blossburg.org or call (570) 638-2486.
 
 
BLOSSBURG TIES
 
Blossburg has ties today to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, as well as, ties to many other Museums all over, thanks to a successful Blossburg, Pa., furniture maker's son. 
 
In the 1880's F. Harer Sr., started teaching his young son, Frederick W. Harer, the trade of a craftsman. Together they made cabinets and fine furniture.  They used stencils, etchings and carved designs while working on many pieces.  They created many items that were found in homes around the local area and even outside the area.  When Mr. Harer Sr. died, his young son inherited his father's tools and he took over the business. 
 
In 1899, at the age of 20, Frederick W. Harer, was awarded a scholarship to the Industrial Art School in Philadelphia.  This young lad would become well known for his skills in furniture making.  As well as, his skills in painting, etching, sculpturing and frame making.
 
In 1906 he attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts where he studied under two great painters.  Later Mr. Harer would become a teacher at that school himself.  It was here that Mr. Harer started making frames and was able to support himself by selling them to other artists.  He would be a great inspiration to three of his students: Bernard Badura, Raymond Vanselous and Francis Coll.  All became famous artists themselves.
 
It was reported that Mr. Harer kept in touch with those in this town.  He occasionally returned to Blossburg to visit his mother and other family members.   As he did in August of 1909 just before he started traveling all around the world.
 
Frederick was inspired during his travels.  His work was influenced by the cultures and beauty of the areas he traveled.  He painted and worked on frame designs in the Caribbean and West Indies.  In 1916, he returned from Puerto Rico ,as well as, other islands and exhibited his work. 
 
In 1923, he moved to Uhlerstown in Bucks County. This marked the beginning of his full-time involvement in frame-making.  It is said that Frederick Harer still used the tools that were handed down to him by his father while he made his famous frames with either basswood or poplar.  The same tools that made many pieces of furniture in Blossburg, Pa., in the late 1880's.
 
During the 20th century, Mr. Harer worked as a professional artist doing painting, etching and sculpturing in wood or stone. Some of his works were exhibited in such places as the Philadelphia Sketch Club, and the Baltimore Watercolor Club. Also his works were exhibited at the National Academy of Design in New York 1942-1945 and again in 1947.  Also Mr. Harer exhibited the longest at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts from 1911-1948. Although he had great success and many awards to numerous to mention, his major awards were: 
Prize, Baltimore Watercolor Club, 1921
Prize, National Academy of Design, for sculpture Chinese Gander, 1945.
  
On April 27, 1948, at the age of 68 years, the Blossburg native died while working in his garden outside his home in Uhlerstown, Pa.  His body was brought back home to Blossburg, Pa and was laid to rest in the Arbon Cemetery.   
 
At that time he was survived by his wife, Natalie and a sister, Mrs. Wells Hughes, of Mansfield, Pa.  
 
Today his works are exhibited in museums such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum, held in private collections and just this week could be found on Ebay.
 
Below you will find one photo of Frederick W. Harer, several of his artworks and frames. The last photo is a chair and desk he created.  As you can see he was a talented artist from Blossburg, Pa.

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MISSION

Blossburg V.I.B.E. (Visions in Business & Entertainment) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created in 2004 to envision, plan and implement projects that will enhance the quality of life for those who live, work, play or attend school in Blossburg, Pennsylvania.

MEETINGS

We meet the fourth Wednesday of each month, usually at the Brick Tavern. Our next meeting is Wednesday, April 25,  6:30 p.m. ath the Brick Tavern.

May 30, 6:30 p.m., Brick Tavern

June 27, 6:30 p.m., Brick Tavern

July 25, 6:30 p.m., Brick Tavern

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