Buckhannon in Upshur County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Shadow Dancers

Public Art

Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 10, 2025

1. Shadow Dancers Marker

Inscription.
Location #6B
Charley Harper • Shadow Dancers • 1969 • Serigraph
Artist Statement

"Have you rested above a shallow creek on a lazy, sunny day? Chances are, then, you've wondered at the movements of water striders, pond skaters, magic bugs, Jesus bugs - all names for the identical creatures who seem to "walk" on still water, skittering on the surface like Olympians on ice. How would you rate their performances? All 10s? They deserve high marks for dancing effortlessly, all while casting concentric rings and shadows in their wake." - Charley Harper

Artist Biography

Charley Harper (August 4, 1922 - June 10, 2007) was a Cincinnati-based American Modernist artist. He was born in Frenchton, West Virginia, and attended West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, West Virginia. Harper's upbringing on his family farm influenced his work to his last days, and we celebrate him as West Virginia's most well-known native graphic artist.

During his career, Charley illustrated numerous books, notably The Golden Book of Biology, magazines such as Ford Times, as well as many prints, posters, and other works. As his subjects

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are mainly natural, with birds prominently featured, Charley often created works for nature-based organizations; among them are the National Park Service, Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati Nature Center, Hamilton County (Ohio) Park District, and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania. He also designed interpretive displays for Everglades National Park. West Virginia Wesleyan College holds a significant collection of Charley's original artworks.

Erected 2019 by www.ART26201.com. (Marker Number 6B.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1969.

Location. 38° 59.64′ N, 80° 13.712′ W. Marker is in Buckhannon, West Virginia, in Upshur County. It is on Traders Alley south of East Main Street (County Route 151), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 39 East Main Street, Buckhannon WV 26201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Central West Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in

<i>Shadow Dancers</i> and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 10, 2025

2. Shadow Dancers and Marker

Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Homebody (here, next to this marker); Charles Burton "Charley" Harper (a few steps from this marker); Unzipped (a few steps from this marker); Ladybugs Hibernating (a few steps from this marker); Stockert Building / People's Grocery & Home Hardware (a few steps from this marker); Dairy Queen / Buckhannon City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Monkey Mural (within shouting distance of this marker); Leonard Mactaggart "Pare" Lorentz (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buckhannon.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 105 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 2, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.