In a vibrant display of artistic talent, local artists are transforming the Gable's building in downtown Altoona into a canvas of creativity. The project, a collaboration between the Altoona Blair County Development Corp., the city, ArtsAltoona, and the Mirror, aims to enhance the building's aesthetics during its renovation for the nation's 250th birthday. This initiative showcases the power of art to beautify public spaces and engage the community.
One of the artists, Elizabeth Garber, is channeling her artistic family heritage to recreate a memorable scene from last year's Independence Day celebration. Garber, who discovered the panel painting contest via a Mirror article, aims to capture the pure and innocent feeling of watching fireworks from a field near DelGrosso's Amusement Park. Her cousin, Sarah Garber, has also contributed to the local art scene, painting a mural on the Railroad Retirement building downtown. Elizabeth's grandmother, Mardell Garber, was a talented billboard painter and muralist, further emphasizing the family's artistic legacy.
The project attracted nearly 70 applications, with an eight-person committee evaluating the artists' past work and proposed concepts. Thad Dalby, another participating artist, is creating a montage of local iconic objects, with the K4 steam locomotive as the central focus. His meticulous approach to accuracy, using photographs for reference, showcases his dedication to the craft. Dalby's encouragement from early on in his life, when he drew an orange sailboat as a kindergartner, has fueled his passion for visual art.
The artists have until the end of July to complete their panels, with a $1,000 award based on judges' opinions and a $1,000 award based on public votes on the Mirror website. This initiative not only celebrates artistic talent but also contributes to the revitalization of downtown Altoona, making it a more captivating and visually appealing destination for residents and visitors alike.
