Year in Review: Tamaqua town shows it has heart
Artist Jon McCoy of McCoy Design answers questions about his illuminated heart made of pink and white quartz crystal in downtown Tamaqua as part of the Tamaqua Has Heart event. The heart was sponsored by Flos Fegley and family in honor of the late William H. Fegley, and is one of 13 artist-decorated heart sculptures featured along three blocks of the business district. TIMES NEWS FILE PHOTO
The community of Tamaqua had its ups and downs as did most communities during 2017. One shining light was the Tamaqua Has Heart campaign, an interactive art initiative that brought the community together for months.
The campaign had a slow start, but by the time the art designs were unveiled in February, organizers had their expectations more than fulfilled.
Instead of 10 heart shaped fiberglass structures, the initiative attracted 13 sponsors willing to pay $500 to support the project.
The hearts, which were installed in time for Memorial Day, brought thousands of people to Downtown Tamaqua over the next three months. The project ended with a gala event and auction.
One of the hearts, billed as the “Heart of the Community,” is covered with thousands of supporters’ handprints and will be permanently installed as a reminder that “Tamaqua is the small town with a big heart.”
The entire project was volunteer driven.
The next town wide project, Tamaqua Remembers, is also volunteer driven and is designed to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Memorial Day.
