Altoona artist, Joe Servello, recently donated a painting to the Tyrone Area Historical Society, to be displayed for all visitors to enjoy. The original acrylic painting was completed earlier this year and shows a familiar scene, the Tyrone Paper Mill.
Servello said he used a photograph of the mill to help create the painting, which isn’t exact, but is a rendering.
Earlier this week, Servello, along with American Eagle Paper Mills President John H. Ferner, visited the museum to officially hang the artwork in the entryway.
Servello said he had previously displayed artwork in the museum building and felt it would be nice to share his interpretation of a Tyrone landmark with museum visitors.
Servello has illustrated more than 60 books by authors such as William Kotzwinkle, John Gardner, James Lee Burke and local author Aline Wolf.
His work has also appeared in a number of national magazines.
Interested individuals can visit the Servello Gallery of Art, in downtown Altoona, which is a joint venture, with his long-time friend Bill Moffitt, who directs the activities of the gallery.
According to information provided, “The gallery features exclusively the work of Servello whose career envelopes painting, sculpture, illustration, scenic design and extensive mural work.
“Servello’s fascination with American vernacular architecture, the simple frame houses and railroad yards of Altoona, sometimes brood but innately celebrate the ordinary.”
Servello’s work can also be viewed in many public collections and his murals can be seen in the Altoona Railroaders Museum, the Altoona Public Library, the Amtrak Station, Curtin Mall, Benzels Outlet Store, the Altoona School Board Room, Penn-Mont Academy, Irving School, The Healing Touch and Kaufman’s.
He has also painted murals at Penn State University in the Keller Building and the Chambers Building.
For those who wish, Servello’s artwork can be viewed online at www.servellogallery.com. Included is a painting of the carousel at DelGrosso’s Amusement Park and several paintings depicting the Mishler Theatre.
Tyrone residents can enjoy one of his most recent paintings by visiting the Tyrone History Museum. The museum is open Sunday and Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m.
