This story was originally published in The Boyertown Area Expression
Boyertown’s Bear Fever community art project welcomes “Juju” and “Barry Bumfoot,” two brand-new fiberglass bear sculptures, to its collection. “Juju,” the most recently installed at Firefly Café, 12 N Reading Avenue, brings the total count of sculptures to 82. Four additional sculptures are in the hands of artists that Bear Fever fans can look forward to hunting.
Juju
“Juju,” sponsored by Firefly Café’s owners Lori Wade and her husband Michael, has been a long time in coming. “Juju’s” story began over 5 years ago. Lori explains: “We first approached Jane Stahl with the idea for our bear back in 2018. It took us a couple of years to save the money, and then Covid happened, but five years later we are so thrilled to finally introduce ‘Juju’ to the world. We wanted ‘Juju’ to encompass everything that Firefly loves and stands for—plant-based living, connecting with nature, and most of all, kindness and acceptance.
“We were so thrilled when Sue Biebuyck offered to be our artist…not only is she wonderfully talented, but she shares our passion for nature and equality for all. We want Firefly’s legacy to be as a place that is happy, inclusive, and compassionate, and we could not be more excited with how Juju represents that.”
Susan, fine artist and gallery director for Studio B Fine Art Gallery, volunteered to paint “Juju” as a way to honor the passions that inspired the vegan café’s presence in Boyertown. Dedicated to protecting and celebrating the natural world, she describes herself as a “foodie.”
In describing the theme represented on Juju, she explains, “I based the design of this bear on the electric light spectrum which represents visual energy. It’s about energy from food, energy, from the colors which allow me to create art, about the generosity of Lori and Michael of Firefly, and the energy from the wonderful community of Boyertown.”
As an artist known for painting food, she covered “Juju” with images of fruits, vegetables, and succulents. And, as artists are known to hide secrets or personal messages in their work— “Easter eggs”—Susan painted a variety of them on “Juju.” For example, the lemons and cucumbers that appear “front and center” on the bear’s apron are a nod to the lemon and cucumber water that had always been available at Firefly when the café served food inside.
A bumblebee and firefly are featured on the bear—references to the sponsor’s and the artist’s names. A variety of edible flowers appear on the bear; there’s a dandelion painted on the bear’s right arm for me–Bear Fever’s Mama Bear; the only non-edible plant, but requested by Lori, is the passion flower found on the base of the bear. And symbolizing her respect for all individuals and the transcendence that Firefly represents and brings to the community, the bear’s apron is painted in rainbow colors.
Jeff Graber of Graber Letterin’ added a clear coat to the bear as protection from the weather and brought him to Boyertown for installation.
Barry Bumfoot
Another recent installation occurred at the former office of Pottstown Oral and Maxiillofacial Surgery Associates at 20 E Philadelphia Ave. Bear hunters will find that “Doc” has been replaced by another sitting bear. The new bear is “Barry Bumfoot.” “Doc” now resides at the oral surgeons’ new office on South Reading Avenue.
“Barry Bumfoot,” represents the new location of the Foot and Ankle Health Group and has a unique story. He began as “Artie,” was originally sponsored by TriCounty Chamber of Commerce, and painted by students of Boyertown High School under the direction of art instructor Debra Spleen.
“Artie” showcased the styles of many famous artists and was located in front of Boyertown’s popular Grill Shop for many years until the Grill Shop’s exterior was renovated with fresh paint and a new sign.
“Artie” had taken a beating over the years and needed some TLC. Happily, the Foot and Ankle Health Group employed Dennis Graber, auto body specialist, to refurbish him. Dennis has painted, clear coated, and repaired Bear Fever’s bears throughout the project’s history and took over the creation of the project’s plaster tabletop models from Doctor James Tribbett. The tabletop mold was originally fashioned by artist Martha Cawley.
“Artie’s” fans may now miss him, but photographs of “Artie” can still be found on the newly-designed Bear Gallery page of Bear Fever’s website www.bearfever.org, designed and supported by Media Fusion Technologies as a service to Boyertown, a very special kind of place.
Four additional bears are already in the area with the artists who will decorate them in accordance with the sponsors’ visions, adding yet more sculptures to Boyertown’s beloved project.
I’m always amazed to realize that there’s apparently no cure for Bear Fever!
Firefly Café Owners Michael and Loriann share almost 40 years of vegetarianism and veganism between them and are raising a very healthy and energetic plant-based son! In 2016 they moved back to Loriann’s hometown of Boyertown, PA from NYC where Michael was born and raised. Their passion for health and wellness, and the desire to promote diversity, inclusiveness, and a respect for all living htings, remain a driing force behind the Firefl brand. In their spare time Michael and Loriann love to pursue their creative passions of art, music, and plant wrangling, and they incorporate all of these things into the Café. (Information from FireflyCafeboyertown.com)
In addition, the couple run “The Loft,” an Air B&B on the second floor of the café. Find more information about The Loft on The Boyertown Area Expression digital news site. (boyertownareaexpression.town.news)
Foot and Ankle Health Group practice consists of four offices; Boyertown, Pottstown, Sanatoga, and Royersford with five doctors; John Dahdah, Thomas Beideman, Scott Samuelson, Therese Rindaldi, and Christina Farrell. Our practice sees patients young and old, providing care for all conditions of the foot and ankle. In providing quality, compassionate care, we strive to treat the “whole patient”, seeking options that are suitable to the goals and needs of the patient and their families.
We have had an office in Boyertown for over 30 years. To signify the practice’s medical scope, we decided that our bear would don a cast on his right leg. Shortly after the bear was delivered, I took my daughters to “meet” him. My oldest daughter suggested that we name him “Barry Bumfoot, the Boyertown Black Bear,” a name that seemed fitting and was overwhelming accepted by my colleagues. We are very proud to be part of the Boyertown community and to serve its members!” ~ Dr. Thomas Beideman
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