Conmpleted Rudy Gelnett mural ahown at library

Jul. 25—SELINSGROVE — A completed 20-foot by 20-foot "interactive" mural featuring philanthropist Francis "Rudy" Gelnett at a piano, surrounded by items that meant something to him, was unveiled Thursday night at the Selinsgrove's public library that is named after him.

The mural was created by Marcellus Hammond and artists from Brushes With Destiny LLC, Sunbury. The project was supported by a $20,000 grant from the Gelnett Trust.

It took 11 months to complete the project, Hammond said Thursday night. "We spent a lot of time gathering all the resources, all the information on Rudy's life through interviews with community members who were around when he was alive."

Gelnett died in 2010.

With all the conversations Hammond had, he was able to piece together all the imagery, "all the symbology that we needed. The interactive aspects of the mural, the videos were possible because of the technology that is out there," he said, including "new ways to engage the audience. The interactive aspect of the piece brings the viewer in, and I think that is pretty cool."

By immersing himself in Gelnett's life, Hammond felt like he got to know him.

"Not a lot of people knew who he was. But I was inspired by his story. I am grateful that I was given the chance to learn about him. Maybe he was a little eccentric at times, but he was wonderful."

The idea for a mural grew out of early conversations library Executive Director David Bauman had with his staff. "We were talking about what to do with a big bare spot on the wall near the stairs. The idea was to have a local artist do a mural. So when we talked to Marcellus about Gelnett, he sketched out some ideas."

"When the idea to do a mural of Rudy Gelnett surfaced we went to the borough council since they share this building," Bauman said. "They liked the idea, so Marcellus ran with it. The result is just an amazing piece of art."