Biography
Frank L. Melega (1905-1997) produced artwork out of his Brownsville studio for over six decades. As a child he was once told by a nun that he would one day make his living as an artist. Throughout his youth he would draw and paint. He said his first love was oils. At the age of twenty-one Melega began working in a local Brownsville sign shop. Roy Duer owned the business till 1926 when he moved to Morgantown West Virginia. Melega took over the business then later moved the shop into his home. From home Melega was able to maintain the sign shop while pursuing his own interests in art. In 1933 he began exhibiting at an art show in Pittsburgh, Pa. He became a member of the Pittsburgh Society of Sculptors, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Uniontown Art Club, and instructed at the Washington Art Association in Washington, Pa. Melega accepted an invitation to exhibit work in the Carnegie International 1952. In 1954 Melega was commissioned by Orville Eberly to complete the mural The Spirit of Service for the Second National Bank in Uniontown. The mural is one of the largest is Western Pennsylvania. In the 1970's the mural was removed from the bank. It is currently on display in the Hall of Freedom in Uniontown. Grants are being sought to restore the mural. Two months before his death in 1997, Melega exhibited work at the grand opening of the Flatiron Heritage Center. After his death arrangements were made with the Melega Family and the Eberly Foundation to establish the Frank L. Melega Art Museum.
Philosophy
In my world I feel the greatest moving and compelling force is art. When the artist has all the skills of his craft under control, when he is dealing with color, and he comes through in top form, then we cannot overlook the importance of design, lighting, mood, technique, line, or drawing, the basic fundamentals. There is still the one very important ingredient, that certain chemistry in man, that reflects the great works, the great inventions, the wonderful music, literature, architecture, etc. My efforts in time and work is endless in evaluating my sketches and experiences to produce them in what ever medium is best suited for the subject. I believe it helps an artist considerably if he has a keener interest in some phase of life or some subject more so than many varied subjects, however this need not apply to all artists. There are those who seem to be able to handle any and all assignments. By Frank L. Melega from materials found in his desk.
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