Lehighton Letters  is a series of works created for public libraries worldwide by found object sculptor Richard J. Hinger. Works from Lehighton Letters, named after the artist’s PA birthplace, are on exhibition in London, New York City, Paris, Washington D.C. and  30 other public libraries.  These new works are made from salvaged signage letterss inlaid with assorted commonplace objects, and spell out inspiring words such as READ, BOOKS, and ART.  

Richard J. Hinger, a self/taught artist for 25 years, makes sculptures out of used and discarded items.  His ‘Environmental  Art’  has been met with enthusiasm and has captured the attention of people of all ages and backgrounds.  The positive response from the libraries and the viewers have been inspiring, and the Lehighton Letters sculptures have spurred an interest in this new form of Eco-Sculpture.

 . ”Libraries are cultural centers, and it is very gratifying that my art works can be viewed by all kinds of people through these libraries. My art tells stories that everyone can relate to in their own way. I hope it encourages reading, storytelling, recycling, and creativity while promoting an earth friendly message.

As a self-taught assemblagist/sculptor, I create vibrant and provocative works of art from the products of man’s throw-away culture. I search for commonplace discarded objects and discover unique resources containing collectibles and relics to utilize in the sculptures which then become part of a thematic series. Like the objects I work with, my themes vary considerably, but the common thread of my work is the urgency of visual statements concerning American consumerism, environmental awareness, political icons, and the media’s steady search for the newest sensation. Though my work is serious in nature, with the infusion of color, texture, and content, it maintains a whimsical and seductive perspective on Western culture.”

Richard J. Hinger

Locations and latest Lehighton Letters  works.

Lehighton Letters    2009  -  63″ x 28″ x 10″

Location : Fruitville Library 100 Coburn Rd. Sarasota FL. 34240

Contact : Librarian - Heather Tweed : 941-861-2520
 

Lehighton Letters    2009  -  50″ x 26″ x 9″

Location: West St. Petersburg Community Library  6605 Fifth Ave. N. St. Petersburg, FL. 33733

Contact: Librarian -  Kelly Malizia :  727-341-7183

Lehighton Letters    2009  -  59″ x 24″ x 9″

Location : North Sarsota Library 2801 Newtown Rd. Sarasota FL. 34234

Contact: Kim Eversole : 941-861-1363

 

Lehighton Letters    2009  -  38″ x 16″ x 10″

Location : Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library

Venice, FL. 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd. 34293 Contact : Sheila Kaufer: 941-861-1276

 

Lehighton Letters    2009  -  63″ 30″ x 9″

Location : North Port Library  13800 S. Tamiami Trail North Port FL. 34287

Contact: Librarian - Janet Hansen: 941-861-1312

 

Lehighton Letters    2009  -  45″ x 24″ x 5″ 

Location:  Gulf Gate Library 7112 Curtiss Ave. Sarasota FL. 34231

Contact: Librarian - Marcia McKinney: 941-861-1312 

 

Lehighton Letters    2009  -  35″ x 16″ x 10″

Location : Elsie Quirk Library   100 West Dearborn St. Englewood, FL.

Contact: Librarian -  Christina Walton: 941-861-1214

 

Lehighton Letters   2009  -  60″ x 27″ x 10″

Location : Venice Library   300 S. Nokomis Ave. Venice, FL.34285

Contact: Youth Desk/Librarian: 941-861-1348

 

Lehighton Letters    2009  -  72″ x 29″ x 27″ 

Selby Library   Sarasota , FL. Contact : Librarian - Marilyn Nykiforuk : 941-861-1133

 

Lehighton Letters   2009  -  50″ x 23″ x 10″

Lehighton Letters   Wall Assemblage -  2009  -  48″ x 20″ x 4″ 

Site yet to be determined.

 

Lehighton Letters  2009  -  65″ x  30″ x 12″

Manatee County Central Library
1301 Barcarrota Blvd. W.
Bradenton, FL.  34205
 Librarian Libby Rupert  (941) 748-5555 ext. 6319

Lehighton Letters    2009  -  30″ x 18″ x 8″

Lehighton Area Memorial Library , Lehighton , PA.   Director/Librarian -  Becky L. Wanamaker

 

Lehighton Letters    2009  - 46″ x 26″ x 10″

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library, Central Library   Atlanta, GA  30303   One Margaret Mitchell Square  Atlanta, GA  30303

 

Lehighton Letters    2009  -38″ x 28″ x 12″    Site yet to determined.

 

 

Lehighton Letters      2009  -  30″ x 20″ x 10″

University Hills Branch Library   4721 Loyola Lane  Austin, Texas  78723

Contact:  Branch Manager - Frank.Schmitzer@ci.austin.tx.us

 

American Library in Paris  10 rue du Général Camou  75007 Paris FRANCE
 +33 (0) 1 53 59 12 60    www.americanlibraryinparis.org

 

 Lehighton Letters    2009  -  29″ x 20″ 10″

St. Louis Public Library   1301 Olive St.  St. Louis, MO 63103  Contact: Program Coordinator : Rachel Smith

 

Lehighton Letters     2009  - 66″ x 26″ x 25″

Location: St. Petersburg Main Library

3745 9th Ave. N. St. Petersburg, FL.

 

  Lehighton Letters    2009  -  32″ x 24″ x 9″

American Library in Paris  10 rue du Général Camou  75007 Paris FRANCE
 +33 (0) 1 53 59 12 60    www.americanlibraryinparis.org

 

American Library in Paris  10 rue du Général Camou  75007 Paris FRANCE
 +33 (0) 1 53 59 12 60    www.americanlibraryinparis.org

 

 Lehighton Letters      2009  -  36″ x 18″ x 9″ 

Location :  Mission Viejo Library   100 Civic Center  Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Contact: Valerie Maginnis, Director of Library Services   (949) 830-7100, Ext. 3076

 

 Lehighton Letters    2009  - 37″ x 18″ x 10″

Location:  Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library   901 G St. N.W.  Washington, DC 20001.

 

 Lehighton Letters    2010  -  30″ x 18″ x 10″

 Harlem Library   9 West 124th Street  New York, NY 10027-5699  (212) 348-5620

 

Lehighton Letters    2010  -  29″ - 27″ x 9″

 St. George Library Center  - 5 Central Avenue (near Borough Hall)  Staten Island, NY 10301  Librarian: Scott Lambdin

 

 Lehighton Letters     2010  -  21″ x 19″ x 9″    Site yet to be determined

 

Lehighton Letters     2010  -  20″ x 18″ 9″    Site yet to be determined

 

Lehighton Letters     2010  -  23″ x 18″ x 11″    Site yet to be determined

 

Lehighton Letters  2010 -  22″ x 18″ x 5″    Site yet to be determined

 

Lehighton Letters   2010  -  25″ x 17′ x 6″  

Barbican Library - City of London,  Barbican Centre, London EC2Y 8DS    Librarian :John Lake

 

Lehighton Letters   2010      22″ x 25″ x 7″   South End Branch Library   865 Tremont St. Boston, MA. 02118  Librarian: Anne Smart

 

Lehighton Letters   2010      30″ x 22″ x 7″   Location: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

 4400 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh, PA. 15213     Librarian : Pattee Kelly

 

 Sponsoring or Funding Lehighton Letters

As part of a fundraising effort to bring ESI Arts programs to communities, found-object artist Richard Hinger has created ‘Lehighton Letters’ – signage letters inlaid with recycled items spelling inspirational words – which he loans to libraries.  Sponsorship allows the libraries to own the artwork for permanent display.

Libraries are cultural centers in communities, and participating libraries are excited about the possibility of making these art pieces a permanent part of their collection. The sponsor’s name  will be placed on a plaque next to the purchased art work in the library, and donation will be used for ESI Public Arts programs/projects in the community.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Contact Christine Morrissey at 941-735-3788

or e/mail at cmorrisseyhinger@gmail.com

ESI Arts bring public art projects which emphasizes art appreciation, environmental awareness, and community involvement. A 501(c)(3) charity, all donations are tax deductible (tax id# 33-0668766). If you are interested in sponsorship or donation to any of our fundraising or community projects, please contact Christine Morrissey at #941-735-3788 chrismh63@verizon.net or Richard Hinger at # 941-735-9993   rjhinger@verizon.net.

Please contact us if you  want a ‘Lehighton Letters’ sculpture at your local library or if you would like to make a donation to keep this and other innovative projects coming to your community.

To make a donation to Lehighton Letters click PayPal Button

Thank you!