Owego honors Robert Merwin.
Over 40 family members and friends of Owego artist Robert Merwin gathered on Saturday, Nov. 18, at his studio on the second floor of Artisan’s Townhouse on Lake Street to honor his life and art.
Known affectionately as Owego’s Norman Rockwell, Merwin’s remarkable fine arts career includes 22 years of creating paintings of hundreds of Owego and Tioga County scenes as well as instructing individuals of all ages in the joys and techniques of his medium.
Abigail Murtha shares about her booklet.
Special recognition was offered by the Tioga County Legislature and the Village of Owego, which officially declared it Robert Merwin Day.
Owego Free Academy senior Abigail Murtha spoke about her wonderful time interviewing and writing about Robert Merwin and distributed the booklet, “Celebrating the Life and Art of Robert Merwin”, which she and fellow student Maria Pawlak produced.
Under the guidance of OFA art teacher Sue Camin, this cultural journalism project engaged Abigail and Marie in documenting the extraordinary character and body of work of Robert Merwin.
Abigail Murtha shares about her booklet.
Those gathered included current and former art students who expressed their thanks and fondness for Merwin. Candy Cerretani and Darcy Fitts received small paintings produced by Merwin, which captured the beauty and historic nature of their family’s Pumpelly Cabin.
Robert Bassett, president of the Charles H. Bassett Youth Foundation, which provided financial support for the student created booklets handed out at Saturday’s celebration, announced a new Robert Merwin Family Art Scholarship at Owego Free Academy, which will be offered in 2018 through the Foundation to honor Robert Merwin.
Pictured, are Darcy, Robert and Candy.
Merwin graciously thanked his wife Joyce and all those in attendance for supporting and encouraging his work, and expressed his love for Owego and its people.
In the many sincere remarks made by those there to honor him, one really hit the mark when someone shared that “Robert Merwin was Owego”.
Additional signed booklets are available from Merwin at his art studio or by contacting chbyouthfoundation37@gmail.com.
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