MEADVILLE — Those who fell in love with the numerous works of art created by Meadville’s Alfonso Fugagli will be able to see even more of his paintings in just a few days.

The life and works of Fugagli, who was best known for wearing a straw hat while sitting outdoors on a stool in front of an easel as he painted and drew local scenes, will be enshrined forever on Monday during a dedication at the Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum in Meadville.

For Fugagli’s daughter, Lizette Fugagli, Monday was perfect timing to donate the artwork — 27 paintings and dozens of sketches — considering her father would have turned 100 years old on that day.

“We are excited to announce that Lizette has given the museum the largest art collection we’ve received in almost 50 years,” said museum director Joshua Sherretts. “We’re working to make Fugagli’s work a rotating exhibit and a constant part of the displays.”

The collection, which will be available for free, open-to-the public viewing on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m., will pair with the more than 20 Fugagli works already owned by the museum as well as many being loaned by individuals and organizations for the event. Donations will be accepted to fund framing and preserving the collection.

Fugagli’s works, which were mostly of scenery, buildings, landmarks and personal homes, are all over the world, Lizette said. Now, most of them will be visible at one venue in his hometown.

“I thought that it would be nice on his birthday for everyone to see them,” said Lizette, who wants to keep his legacy alive. “I think he would be pleased to know there was a permanent collection.”

Fugagli, who died at age 85 in 1997, started drawing at 8 years old. And his artwork wasn’t limited to just buildings and landmarks. He also did abstract art and portraits.

For a while, he was working with oils. He then switched to watercolors since they dried faster, Lizette said.

Nancy Asmus, an artist who owns Nancy’s Under The Steps at @ the Bank in Meadville, reinterpreted four of Fugagli’s works from watercolor to fabric at the request of Lizette. For Asmus, it was an honor considering the history that surrounds Fugagli’s art.

“He was a wonderful man and he probably knew everybody in Meadville — and everybody knew Alfonso,” Asmus said. “He was kind of like a renaissance man for this area. He was just into so many different areas.”

Asmus recently had a chance to view some more of Fugagli’s works at Lizette’s residence. Upon seeing some of them, she was in awe of his artistry.

“She had this huge box with all these lovely pictures and sketches that he has done of figures,” Asmus said. “They were so anatomically correct as far as muscles and tendons.”

Lizette said she learned a lot from the paintings. In a way, gazing at her father’s artwork was a way of seeing the world through his eyes. “It was his attention to detail” that made his works so memorable, she said.

“I got to appreciate things,” she said. “He liked scenery and the trees. I just became more aware of things.”

Meadville resident Dennis Frampton, who helped establish the Alfonso Fugagli Art Center at the Meadville-Western Crawford County Chamber of Commerce years ago, didn’t realize that Fugagli would be turning 100 years old this month. But he does remember the day that Fugagli told him, “When I’m gone, I doubt that anybody would remember me.”

On Monday, Fugagli will be remembered once again. And now, even more of his masterpieces will have a permanent home at the Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum.

“I’m pleased that the legacy of his art lives on,” Frampton said. “We always enjoyed his artwork.”



You can go

A free, open-to-the-public dedication and viewing of the Alfonso Fugagli artwork donated to the Baldwin-Reynolds House Museum in Meadville, as well as other Fugagli works, is Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the museum. Donations will be accepted to fund framing and preserving the collection.

Dan Walk can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at dwalk@meadvilletribune.com.