Inspired by Nature: Region Sparks Artists' Passion

The idyllic backdrop of the Raystown Lake Region has long been a source of inspiration for artists, a muse who reveals herself in the tranquil waters, rolling hills and unique stories of those who call this place home. Among the local artists who have been compelled to create here are Barb Fisher, Jack Troy, Terri Smith and Fred Lang, each of whom has woven the essence of the region into their art in distinct ways. Through painting, ceramics, jewelry and illustration, these creators pay tribute to the beauty, history and community that define Raystown. Their work captures the spirit of the region in forms that invite both locals and visitors to experience this place through an artist’s eyes.

Barb Fisher

Born in Altoona, Pa., Barb Fisher’s passion for art has been lifelong. “As a young girl, I can’t remember a time I wasn’t sketching or painting,” she recalls. Moving to the Raystown Lake Region at age 16, Fisher faced the challenge of leaving friends behind when her family relocated for her father’s work, but she soon found comfort in the area’s welcoming atmosphere and natural beauty. 

As a decorative painter, commercial artist and master glass fuser, Fisher takes great pride in creating art that reflects the region she loves. Her artistic journey has taken many surprising turns, much like the winding roads that weave through the scenic hills inspiring her work today. A significant milestone came when she opened her own art studio and shop on Mifflin Street in Huntingdon, B. Fisher Creations. This space not only serves as her creative sanctuary but also as a hub where her art connects deeply with the local community.

For Fisher, the beauty of Raystown’s landscapes and its rich history have been constant sources of inspiration. Her art is a love letter to the rolling hills, peaceful lake and farmlands that surround her. She often incorporates these local elements into custom pieces, creating unique artwork that captures the essence of Raystown’s rural charm.

In recent years, Fisher has embraced the growing tourism industry in the Raystown Lake Region. While her art remains true to her original style, she has adapted to meet the demand for souvenirs that capture the spirit of the area. Working with local shop owners, she creates pieces that serve as keepsakes for visitors wanting to take a little bit of Raystown’s beauty home with them. You can find her work at 729 Mifflin St, Huntingdon, at BFisherCreations on Etsy, and at Raystown Reflections Gift Shoppe.

Jack Troy

Jack Troy first discovered the potter’s wheel with the help of a colleague while teaching high school English in 1962. Now more than six decades, 266 workshops, four books, 150 published articles and four hand surgeries later, he’s still just as captivated by the challenges and fulfillment of ceramics. 

Troy has been living in the Raystown Lake Region for 37 years, though his initial journey here dates back even further. In 1967, he was hired at Juniata College to direct the Freshman Composition program and teach American literature. This opportunity introduced him to the area. Its beauty, history and people have kept him here ever since. 

One of the most meaningful milestones in Troy’s career was receiving permission to add ceramics to the curriculum at Juniata College. This gave him the chance to shape the minds of countless students who, like him, found solace and purpose in the potter’s wheel. Along the way, Troy has taught ceramics across the globe and has received recognition as a teacher by the National Council for Education in the Ceramic Arts and earned the Beechley Award at Juniata.

The beauty of the Raystown Lake Region is ever-present in Troy’s work. When he fires his kilns with hardwood from the area, the colors and textures of his pottery are directly influenced by the minerals the trees extract from the soil. Every piece he creates is a testament to this natural cycle.

Troy’s artistic journey has been shaped as much by the people he has encountered as by the clay itself. Through the years, his art has evolved, reflecting not only the physical landscape around him but also the lives of the hardworking people he has come to know. It’s their influence, combined with the natural beauty of this area, that continues to shape his work.

Troy’s art is available at The Marketplace at 601 Washington Street, Huntingdon and Huntingdon County Arts Council, 313 12th Street, Huntingdon.

Terri Smith

Terri Smith’s artistic journey began some 50 years ago when she took a course to improve her skills with rock cutting. Initially, it was just a way to engage with geology outside of her professional career in hydrology. But over time, this skill grew into a passion that would later evolve into art. Progressing to advanced levels of faceting and eventually teaching gemstone cutting classes, she began to explore creative techniques that went beyond traditional methods. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, she expanded this artistry to include painting, finding that combining textures, gems and rocks with paint led to a new dimension of artistic expression. 

Born and raised in the Huntingdon area, Smith was grounded in the beauty of the natural world from an early age. Growing up on a farm, she absorbed the rhythms and textures of the land – an experience that would later influence her approach to both gem cutting and painting. After spending 25 years away from Huntingdon to pursue her career, she returned to the region.

The inspiration of the region’s landscape is unmistakable in Smith’s artwork, from the sweeping views from the mountaintops to the region’s abundant waterways. Watercolor allows her to capture the softer qualities of these landscapes, while acrylics bring out the vibrant colors and textures of the natural scenes. Meanwhile, local stones like quartz crystals, agates, chert and iron ore find their place in jewelry and art, becoming lasting, wearable memories of the region.

Over the years, Smith’s art has evolved, maturing in ways that have enhanced other skills and perspectives. Huntingdon’s vibrant yet often understated art scene has been a source of evolution and support for Smith. Seeing her work appreciated – whether as jewelry, rock art or painting – has been incredibly rewarding and she remains grateful for the local community that values and celebrates these creations.

Smith’s art is available at the Huntingdon County Arts Council.
 

Fred Lang

Born and raised in Huntingdon, Fred Lang has been telling stories through art for as long as he can remember. Childhood memories of sketching scenes from storybooks and cartoons laid the foundation for a lifelong passion for illustration and storytelling. While he initially set out to become an art teacher, Lang eventually found a calling as a commercial artist and illustrator, shaped by great mentors and artists who inspired him.

Lang also explored digital art as an illustrator for the Air National Guard, embracing computer graphics as a “new” medium at the time. This introduction to digital art has since evolved into a meaningful part of his repertoire. Using old photographs as a foundation, he digitally restores them, re-imagining black-and-white images in vibrant color. The process involves a blend of research and creative guesswork as he attempts to bring the past to life in realistic hues.

A pivotal moment in Lang’s career came 50 years ago, with a series of paintings of the old Raystown Dam, capturing a now-vanished piece of local history. The experience fostered a love for documenting nearly forgotten scenes and people through his art. Today he paints people, landscapes and cartoons, often gravitating toward historical subjects and sites that have faded from memory.

This theme of rediscovery strengthened into a lasting interest in the Battle of Gettysburg. Some years later, he had the unique opportunity to contribute to the production of the film Gettysburg. Among his most celebrated works is a portrait of Joshua Chamberlain, a key figure in the battle, which earned appreciation from historians and enthusiasts. A reproduction of this portrait now hangs in the Chamberlain House in Brunswick, Maine.

Finding and resurrecting forgotten subjects remains one of his greatest joys as an artist and historian. Portraits of nearly forgotten local figures who shaped the area’s history are a central focus, helping to preserve their legacy for future generations. Lang brings an invaluable perspective as a Huntingdon native, weaving his intimate knowledge of the region into every piece.

Lang’s art is available at the Huntingdon County Arts Council. Several of his prints are also available on Facebook at Lang’s Picture Frames and at the Huntingdon County Historical Society, 106 4th St, Huntingdon. 

All these artists demonstrate how the landscapes and history of the Raystown Lake Region shape artistic expression. Their creations blend personal memories, local heritage and natural beauty. Through their work, they invite us to experience Raystown as a story – a narrative woven together by those who seek to preserve its essence.