Berks County artist J. Alan Boyer has painted covered bridges and historic homes and barns in the Oley Valley for decades. Now the 76-year-old finds holding a paint brush too challenging to create new original acrylic pieces. But, he is happy to share his many-years-worth of artwork with visitors and employees at the Berks County Agricultural Center through framed prints of his past creations.
Born in Shillington, Boyer now resides with his wife, Anna, in Oley. ‘I have been doing painting and artwork all my life,’ said Boyer. ‘My father, Carlton F. Boyer, was a locally-known artist and art teacher.’ Boyer credits his father, who was famous for his rustic buildings, for inspiring and influencing him over the years.
‘My paintings are all done with acrylics and I specialize in eastern Pennsylvania covered bridges, both present and past, and historic stone buildings,’ he said. Boyer’s exhibit of framed prints at the Ag Center include his paintings of the Dreibelbis, Pleasantville, Earlville, Van Reed, Kutz’s Mill, Griesemer, and Leizes covered bridges, and the Stoudt’s Ferry bridge. Paintings of the DeTurk House, Joanne Schneider House, Bertolet Cabin, Blacksmith Shop, and Old Barn on the Leinbach Farm also adorn the main lobby walls. The prints are for sale and are also available as collections of ten notecards. Framed 8 x 10 prints, matted 5 x 7 prints, and the boxes of notecards are available for a cost.
Boyer’s work is on display at the Ag Center, located at 1238 County Welfare Road, Leesport, during June and July. For more information on the exhibit, contact Sheila Miller at the Office of Agricultural Coordinator, 610-898-5482 or e-mail smiller@countyofberks.com. The Ag Center is open Monday through Friday. Visitors can view the exhibit free of charge between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
