Meet April's Artist-in-Residence: Edward Hopper

Edward H. Hopper is a retired Chief Master Sergeant (U.S. Air Force) currently residing in Greencastle with his wife, Beverly, who grew up in McConnellsburg. He has a daughter, Lydia, and a son, Jacob.

Edward began his artistic pursuits at the age of 5 and was encouraged by his parents to continue to develop his talent. Although never formally trained, he has studied the works of other artists, both professional and amateur, in pursuit of his own style. Edward considers himself a realist and an illustrator, although his love of cartooning is reflected in a number of his works. During his Air Force career, he was commissioned regularly to create unique, individual caricatures. Edward’s one-panel comic, “Bedside Manor,” was published monthly in a local hospital’s newsletter for 4 years.

Edward has received a number of local awards for his compositions in pencil, colored pencil, mixed media, acrylic and oils. Over the past 14 years, he has designed and published original Christmas cards for his family and friends. He is currently writing and illustrating a children’s book.

Stop by the library this month to see works by Edward. If you're interested in a print of one of his paintings, we can put you in contact with him.

Pennsylvania Deutsch Fraktur

Thursdays, 5:30-7pm, April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4, 2023

Historical records come in stone tablets to parchment to record books. An original record was that used by Germans, the fraktur, a tradition brought from Europe and continued among Pennsylvania German settlers in the English Colonies and the later United States. When a child was born the event was recorded on an ornate document, hand-decorated and hand-lettered. This basic form developed into printed images, with only the decorative elements and details added by an artist.

Fractur has been called one of the most important aspects of Pennsylvania German Folk Art. "The word “fractur” refers to the "fractured" or broken letter derived from the German Gothic style of lettering. Since then it has evolved to mean an entire document: a birth or baptismal certificate, marriage certificates, student writing samples, death records, bookplates, student merit awards, house blessing or poems.

Participants will learn its origins, history, how it traveled from Germany, development of this art form and complete a personalized project. They will choose a significant life event to record from a selection of printed or self drawn images and then become the artist to decorate their life record. Participants will use watercolor paint in traditional colors, plus pen and ink to fill in the biographic information in Gothic style hand lettering, to produce their own personalized “fractur” record.

There is a small $10 fee for materials for this program. Register by contacting the library.

Also coming up, we have an Ojibwe beading class in May and June. Find out more at the library!

We're always here

We'll be closed on Friday and Saturday this week, but that doesn't mean you can't check out items. Libby and Hoopla (and our many other online resources) are always available. Be sure to see what's been added lately and enjoy! Find our many resources here.

Ongoing Groups

Don't forget that Adult Book Group, Fiction to Film, Preschool Story Hour, Play Grow Learn, Mindfulness and Meditation, Hum and Strum, and the Yarn Group all take place on a regular basis.

To learn more

You can always find out what's happening at the library on our calendar on our website and through our column in the Fulton County News. We look forward to seeing you soon!