Mural Depicts Pottstown Seasons

From Anna L. Johnson:

Over the past two months, a forest scene has come alive in Pottstown's Washington/Chestnut street park in the form of a mural. 

Jeff Margraf, an accomplished local artist living in Phoenixville, was commissioned to design and create the mural for all to enjoy. The artwork depicts the change of seasons set in a natural wooded scene, with flora and fauna scattered throughout. 

Several young budding artists had an opportunity to assist Margraf during the recent National Night Out Celebration held on August 2 at this same park.  Children of all ages helped fill in tree trunks and the grassy field, bringing to life this beautiful natural scene.

Susquehanna Bank has donated funds to Genesis Housing Corporation as part of a comprehensive community-based revitalization effort for the Washington Street neighborhood in downtown Pottstown. This effort, the Pottstown Neighborhood Partnership, is part of a program of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development that connects businesses with local organizations to develop and implement neighborhood revitalization plans. This year’s funds supported the design and implementing a mural at the Chestnut Street Park.

Genesis Housing Corporation, The Gallery on High and Citizens for Pottstown’s Revitalization collaborated to develop the mural at the park located at Washington and Chestnut Streets. 

The artistic coordinators, Cathy Paretti and Erika Hornburg-Cooper of the Gallery on High selected Margraf, an accomplished local artist, to design and create the proposed park mural.

He received his B.F.A. from Mason Gross School of Arts at Rutgers University in 1988 and has exhibited his art in a number of galleries in New York, Philadelphia and other locations in the U.S.

Margraf has a wallpaper mural business in addition to his traditional mural business.

He also teaches classes in fused glass and encaustic painting.