5-04-2025 12:21am

Bear Fever Artists Featured in BEARS: Studio B’s Invitational Exhibit

Lesley Misko Editor

by Jane Stahl

Photography credit goes to Harry Leeson for photos from his poster of 75 bears. His poster can be found on www.bearfever.org.

On Friday, May 2, 2025, Studio B Art Gallery hosted artists who created many of the Bear Fever sculptures--those whose work has been on the streets for 20 years--along with some who have recently become part of the Boyertown's popular community art program.

I hadn't seen some of these artists since May 7, 2005, when we first debuted their sculptures. The exhibit opening was a fun evening for them--to catch up with one another and to share their artwork.

Participating in the exhibit are fine artists Linda Austerberry, known for her pottery, but whose “Sparky” which was installed until recently at Sugg Chevrolet that celebrated a girls’ hockey team. “Sparky” will soon move down Second Street to the Boyertown Ambulance Building for his forever home.

Susan Biebuyck, Studio B’s gallery director, fashioned Firefly Café’s “Juju” celebrating vegan staples.

Photo by Susan Biebuyck

Mary Chisak's“Bella” bear greets customers at the New Hanover branch of Truist Bank;

Will Dexter of Taylor Backes Glass Studio created the glass bear “Disco” who catches light from all angles.

Gail Fronheiser, creator of Bear-gon, featured storybook characters. Bear-gon serves as a welcome greeter at Boyertown Community Library.

Candi Haas-Simmons' “Mary Beary” stands at the Boyertown branch of Truist Bank painted with images representing the local PA German culture.

Ben Hoffman created his "Benjamin" as a college studen. “Benjamin,” is found inside Diamond Credit Union, 173 Holly Road, Gilbertsville.

Julie Longacre's “Jingles” adds to the Santa Spirit inside the Boyertown Area Historical Society.

Bob McGee, nature lover, took on the financial world in creating “The Count,” a shared bear sponsored by a handful of accountants. “The Count” lives along E Philadelphia Ave by the railroad tracks.

Deborah Meehan turned a badly bruised bruin into the State Theatre’s mascot "POPS."

Photo by Jane Stahl

Debra Spleen, fine crafter, transforms furniture with whimsical designs and bright colors. “Artie,” one of the project’s retired bears, was designed and painted with the assistance of Deb’s high school students and lived for many years in front of Boyertown’s Grill Shop. But as “Artie” aged, he transformed and now resides across Philadelphia Avenue as “Barry Bumfoot.”

Joe Szimhart, a student of many religions and belief systems, brought “Papa Dickon” to life for St. Columbkill’s Catholic Church, 200 Indian Springs Road.

"Chip T" by artist was sponsored by the Bear Fever project and Harry’s Tattoo Parlor.

Robert Louis Williams added a handful of bears to the project over 20 years—“Chloe” and “Joe"-- commissions that live at private residences-- “Spike,”who has unfortunately left the area; “Earl,” the hiker bear that lives at Earl Elementary School; and “Paws” who lives in Bally to guard Truist Bank. Bob’s bears add to the community’s murals he painted on South Reading Avenue and the side of the State Theatre. Find photos of Bob's other bears on www.bearfever.org.

The late Sandy Wood, whose research led to a collaboration with Boyertown High School students and Debra Spleen, showcases images from Boyertown’s history on “Townie.” Boyertown’s iconic buildings, a nod to the railroad, the town’s iron mines, and the historic Opera House fire are represented on the bear’s body and help to tell the town’s story. Former mayor, the late Marianne Deery, welcomed “Townie” to reside at her beloved inn, Twin Turrets—now The Atherton.

Elizabeth Wagner's “Mommy & Me” bears serve as a celebration of young lives taken too soon in an accident. Beth and her students spent hundreds of hours painting the bears, including symbols representing what the mother and child loved. The bear lives at Growing Dreams Child Care Center in Gilbertsville.

Included in the exhibit is artwork from Bear Fever artists who are no longer creating art, have moved from the area, have died, or chose not to participate. Represented are the late Barbara Strawser and Mike Hale in the tabletop models of the project.

Barbara’s “Summer Spirit” features images of the flowers that Barbara nurtured in her gardens. Barbara created three Bear Fever bears. Find photos of Barbara's other bears on www.bearfever.org.

Mike’s tabletop model duplicated his “Bear Odyssey" located at St John’s Lutheran Church.

Joe Hoover, created three bears—“Paul Bear” at Ott Funeral Home; “Flora,” one of the bear sculptures in Jody and Loren Hulber’s collection; and “Knolla,” the mascot for Chestnut Knoll Senior Care Center. Find photos of Joe's other bears on www.bearfever.org.

Lesta Bertoia now lives in Hawaii. Her painting "Children of the World" was purchased as a gift from the Bear Fever project and presented to Boyertown Senior High School.

Photo by Jane Stahl

The late Sue Weller fashioned Teddy Bearsecker for Drug Plastics and Glass. "Teddy" features the locations of one of Boyertown’s most successful companies.

Sculptures by Melissa Strawser and Val Bertoia are included in the show; their valued participation added six sculptures from four artists to the project’s debut collection.

"Hal Bear-toia," created in bronze, features a child-sized Harry Bertoia chair in its belly.

Photo by Jane Stahl

While not exhibited, Bear Fever acknowledges artists whose work is more commercial in nature and does not lend itself to gallery exhibitions. Sign painter and former teacher Doug Davidheiser has three bears to his credit—“Box,” “Yogi Bear-a” and “BAMU”—that demonstrate his varied skills and the courage to cut them up and rearrange their parts. Find photos of Doug's other bears on www.bearfever.org.

Jeff Graber has created the project’s logo bear—”Gra-bear”-- as well as over two dozen of the 90+ sculptures, and has served as the “go to” artist for the project since their debut in 2005.

Dennis Graber has repaired and transformed the aging sculptures over 20 years. Sponsors are grateful for his skill and willingness to keep their bears in shape. His latest transformation is "Barry Bumfoot."

Photo by Jane Stahl

Alan Macbain, cartoonist, and AJ Johnson, pinstripe artist, have added to the project with their creative designs and consummate skills. Alan adds whimsey to his creations: “Bubbles,” located at The Atherton (formerly Twin Turrets Inn), “Boo Boo” who lives in the hills of Barto, and “Celia,” Sealstrip’s mascot. Find photos of Alan's other bears on www.bearfever.org.

Meet "Celia!"

Photo by Jane Stahl

AJ Johnson's "Rod, dah Hot Rod Bear" can't be beat!

Photo by AJ Johnson

There are additional artists—not mentioned in this article or included in the exhibit—not for lack of respect or trying. We’ve lost contact with some; others perhaps were not interested at the time. There are hosts of reasons we missed connecting with others. Should they surface, however, we’ll find a way in the future to feature them in some way. Contact: janeEstahl@comcast.net.

Further information about Bear Fever's history and mission, artists, sponsors and additional photos of the bears can be found on www.bearfever.org. (Note that the website, created and hosted by Media Fusion, is in process of being updated.)