The holiday spirit is set to return to Sunbury’s Front Street with the revival of nostalgic Christmas paintings. Thanks to the efforts of a local resident and business owner, Sunbury officials are thrilled to announce that holiday decorations will once again grace the downtown area.
Bob Zimmerman, owner of Zimmerman Motors, originally had several 4×8 Christmas paintings created to be displayed along Front Street years ago. However, these beautiful artworks had not been exhibited for several years. It was resident Lindie Lloyd, a local artist, who inquired about the paintings and expressed her interest in bringing them back to the downtown area.
Councilman Jim Eister took it upon himself to speak to Zimmerman and find a way to reintroduce the displays to the community. These nostalgic paintings depicted scenes from winter and Christmas, and gave onlookers a warm feeling as they drove through Sunbury along Front Street, explained Lloyd. Each painting was strategically lit from the streetlights above, adding a magical touch to the downtown area.
The artworks were initially created by Valley artists Ruth Reel and Ingrid Howard. Ingrid Howard, an art teacher at Shikellamy and the founder of the Shikellamy art club called Talent In Use, worked collaboratively with talented young artists from the community. The club aimed to utilize their artistic skills for the betterment of the community.
Unfortunately, these large Christmas art displays had not been seen for a few years. However, Lloyd took the initiative to inquire about their whereabouts in August, reaching out to Councilman Jim Eister. With the help of Eister and Councilman John Barnhart, Zimmerman’s stunning paintings on plywood were transported to City Hall, where they are currently being prepared for display.
Eister expressed his enthusiasm about the revival of this festive artwork, stating, This was a great idea, and we hope people who drive by will stop and get out and look at the great detail and effort that was put in to make these great. We hope the community enjoys these.
With Sunbury’s Christmas decorating scheduled to begin in the next few weeks, locals and visitors alike can look forward to an enchanting display that captures the essence of the holiday season. The paintings, now meticulously prepared for the upcoming festivities, are sure to bring joy and wonder to all who have the chance to view them.
The return of these nostalgic Christmas paintings to Front Street signifies the revival of the holiday spirit in Sunbury. As the community gathers to admire the beautifully lit artworks, the festive atmosphere is set to envelop the downtown area once again, providing a delightful experience for all who visit.
