A self-taught artist, the late Joseph J. Pielmeier is remembered in an exhibit of art and poetry in the Sheetz Meeting Room of the Bellwood-Antis Public Library through August 30 during regular library hours.
Pielmeier used numerous mediums to create his art and worked mainly with oil paints and chalks. He enjoyed painting scenes from the outdoors, the Amish and the Civil War.
Many of the frames he used for his work were recycled from other paintings or constructed from wooden crates or old barn wood that would have otherwise been discarded.
The exhibit was originally planned to be observed at the Altoona Library in January of 2003, but Pielmeier passed away on December 5, 2002.
His granddaughter, Heather Forsht of Altoona, was contacted by the director of the Bellwood-Antis Library, Hazel Bilka, to create a small exhibit of paintings and poetry after Pielmeier’s passing.
According to Bilka, Pielmeier had shown his work at the Bellwood-Antis Public Library three previous times before the current exhibit. He also displayed his work at the Bellwood-Antis Farm Show.
She said she really admired Pielmeier and his work.
“He was a sweetheart and active in the Antis Township Action committee,” said Bilka. “He really was a prolific artist, considering he was self-taught.”
Forsht said her grandfather’s love for art started at a young age when he was in school. Pielmeier would draw on the chalkboard, and as he got older he started to paint.
Pielmeier is also known for his poetry. Forsht said her grandfather enjoyed writing after he took a course on computer literacy while living at the Blair Towers in Altoona. Pielmeier enjoyed finding information on the Internet and visited many poetry web sites.
His poetry can be found at www.sharisplayground.com/poetry; www.goodtimes2.com; www.memoriesdolls.com/poetry1.html and www.angel9oh7.com/cybergreet.html
Forsht said she will continue to show her grandfather’s work as long as people show an interest in it.
