Kline’s ‘Lehighton’ returns home, unveiled at middle school entrance

Thanks to the efforts of many, visitors who walk inside the main entrance of Lehighton Area Middle School are now able to view a hometown artist’s work.

A healthy crowd was on hand as the school unveiled a replica of Franz Kline’s “Lehighton” mural during a dedication ceremony Thursday night in the school’s auditorium.

The replica hangs near the main entrance to the middle school, made possible through the generosity of William and Joyce Schwab, who funded the display in the school lobby.

Middle school Principal Jennifer Evans welcomed those in attendance and said the purpose of the event was to celebrate the work and art of Franz Kline and the impact he has made on our society as an artist.

“I must say I was unaware that such an influential person was part of our Lehighton history,” Evans said. “The more I have learned about his life and art, the more I have come to learn and love about Lehighton.”

Lehighton historian Ronald Rabenold gave a presentation on the life and art of Kline.

Rabenold said the original mural, gifted to the Lehighton American Legion, was sold last year to the Allentown Art Museum.

The Legion had been looking for a buyer for the painting for several years in the hope that they could preserve it, Rabenold said.

“It all started with our veterans seeing (it) was no longer sufficient,” Rabenold said. “It was deteriorating.”

Rabenold said the replica “has been given a better home, better exposure.”

As part of his presentation, Rabenold showed a screening of a short video the Allentown Art Museum produced on the restoration of the mural.

In it, art conservators Luca Bonetti and Beth Nunan, who restored the Kline “Lehighton” mural, spoke of its restoration. The video also showed clips of the town along with people sharing Kline anecdotes.

Assistant curator Claire McRee, who developed the content and design of the display in the new school lobby, spoke briefly on behalf of the museum.

“We’re so excited to have Franz Kline’s “Lehighton” mural at the museum,” McRee said. “We’re so excited with all that has happened, and we’re really excited for the future.”

Evans recognized several guests in attendance, including the school board, administration, Marguerite Green (on behalf of state Rep. Doyle Heffley’s office), and borough Councilman Scott Rehrig.

She presented certificates of appreciation on behalf of the middle school to attorney and Mrs. William G. Schwab for their financial gift; the American Legion Post 314 for its appreciation of art; and Chris Potash and McRee of the Allentown Art Museum, for their recognition of Kline and his impact on the borough of Lehighton.

According to museum officials, the deal included the creation, publishing, and distribution of curriculum guides on the mural to all regional schools to ensure that the mural continues to have educational significance for generations to come.

It also included teacher training in Lehighton on how to use the guides and include the mural in their lesson plans.

Kline’s painting, which was completed between 1945-46, depicts landmarks from the borough of Lehighton, and is said to show Kline’s home at 300 S. Ninth St.

Born in 1910 in Wilkes-Barre, Kline spent his teenage years living in Lehighton. He attended Lehighton High School and Girard College in Philadelphia before heading to Boston University in 1931.

In the 1950s, he achieved fame as an artist in New York City, but Carbon County was a big influence on his work.