York Town Square

Interest in the life, times and work of York artist J. Horace Rudy is growing around York, Pa. His work appears in iconic buildings, churches and homes around here and beyond, and the growing Rudy fan club is evidence that people are noticing. Here we have a display of a Rudy work – a rendition of York City’s Corporate Seal at Rudy Art Glass Company, 15 E. Philadelphia St. It’s up for viewing at tonight’s First Friday and an upcoming event: Historic York Inc – Rudy Collective TOUR of York’s Rudy Stained Glass. Rudy collaborated with the noted Dempwolf architectural firm on this project, one of many such partnerships. It formed a kind of dream team of York County artists and designers, a movement undergoing a rebirth today under the brand Creativity Unleashed.

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A bit more about the seal. Meanwhile, a website points out participating venues in that Rudy stained glass tour. The list gives an idea of how deeply J. Horace Rudy’s legacy extends into the community: Asbury United Methodist Church, Christ Lutheran Church, Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Chapel, First Moravian Church, First Presbyterian Church, Trinity United Church of Christ, Calvary United Methodist Church, Zion United Church of Christ, First St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception BVM Church, and York Water Company. Photos courtesy of Terry Downs.

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And here are 8 other pieces of art/links to inform and inspire you about western Pennsylvania native J. Horace Rudy:
3. What’s Rudy’s background and how did he come to work in York, Pa.? Check out: J. Horace Rudy painting surfaces.

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4.

Rudy’s art is all around historic First Moravian Church. This window greets visitors arriving from North Duke Street. For a series of Rudy’s work at the church, check out: First Moravian.  Courtesy Terry Downs.

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5. Rudy’s son, Charles, was an artist of note, as well. See: York County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame.

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6.

 

As you would expect, J. Horace Rudy’s work is found outside the borders of York County. Here we see a display at the Hotel Hershey. Courtesy Derek Dilks.

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7.

J. Horace Rudy’s work appears in books and booklets. It appeared in a booklet about York in the American Revolution in York County Heritage Trust files. I used these images extensively in my ‘Nine Months in York Town.’

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8.

J. Horace Rudy worked here, in The Avenues district of York in this photo provided by Charlie Bacas. More: 601 N. Hartley.

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9.

J. Horace Rudy served as a curator of art around York, Pa., as in this 1927 exhibition that placed 16 panels from various artists (example at right) around Continental Square. The panels are now in the collection of the Heritage Trust.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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10.

These stained glass pieces by Rudy have been mounted in the old First National Bank building on York’s square for years. The artwork was opened for examination after developer Derek Dilks acquired the building.