Tamaqua community project culminates with gala, funds for art center

The Tamaqua Has Heart Project celebrated its finale Thursday night with a gala event at a historic Tamaqua landmark, the former Scheid’s Department Store.

The interactive art project was created to bring the community together in a myriad ways, working on the theme “Tamaqua, the little town with a big heart.”

It exceeded its organizers’ dreams, uniting the community, bringing together people of all ages and walks of life.

All but one of the 13 fiberglass hearts, each individually designed by a local artist, were put on the auction block Thursday night. The remaining heart, designated the “heart of the community,” will now be placed on permanent display in the area of the Tamaqua Train Station. Covered with more than 2,000 colorful handprints of community members, it will provide a lasting tribute.

Auctioneer services were provided by Nathan Houser of Houser Auctioneers of West Penn Township, who donated his time and expertise, saying, “It’s for a good cause and a great community.”

Bidding was spirited on several of the hearts, including a “bidding war” on heart number 10, designed by artist Joe Evanousky and sponsored by Cyan Sky Copier Technologies. The end bid was $4,100 and the winner, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was determined to purchase it and donate it to the Tamaqua Community Art Center.

Heart number 9 will also stay local as it was purchased by the staff of St. Luke’s Miners Campus. Designed by artist Suzanne Dalton, the heart was sponsored by the local hospital. Ron Feltenberger, who did the actual bidding for the hospital staff, said, “The employees came together to raise money for the auction, determined this heart was coming home.”

Kristie Leshko, a Miners Campus employee, said, “Staff members held bake sales and sold chicken fingers and pierogies to raise funds to buy our heart.”

Hospital President Bill Moyer had a surprise for his employees. “The staff’s dedication and hard work were so impressive that St. Luke’s board agreed to match whatever they raised to ensure the heart would stay in our hospital community.”

The heart will be made mobile to rotate between all of St. Luke’s local facilities.

In a bit of lighthearted fun, Feltenberger and Leshko challenged fellow employee Rich Hadesty, who was there as proxy for a bidder who wished to remain anonymous. He assured his co-workers he wasn’t there to bid on their heart, after they threatened to find a way to fire him or “maybe toss him out a window.”

Brian Turner was also there as a proxy bidder, with his sights set on two different hearts. He was the successful bidder for heart number 3, designed by Karen Clark and Kimberly Burkette and sponsored by Lehigh Carbon Community College.

“People’s Choice” Awards were voted on by the public between June and August. The winning artists are: heart that makes you feel good — Kim Woodward and Tamaqua Area Middle School art students; most artistic — Paul Corinchock; most original design — John McCoy; most work — Kim East; all around favorite — Joe Evanousky.

The Tamaqua Has Heart project was organized by the Tamaqua Community Art Center and its volunteers, with support from the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership and Rural LISC. It was also supported by a whole host of local businesses, Tamaqua Borough officials and employees, the Tamaqua Area School District, LCCC and more.

“It truly was a community effort made possible by many, many people who believe in our mission,” said Leona Rega, art center coordinator.

Organizers and volunteers have earned the right to take a few days to sit back and relax. Instead, they are already at work planning a new initiative.