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 See the 2002 Painted Bears all online!
Conceived by artist Maria Torffield, the "Painted Bear Auction" has been a highly visible part of the Black Bear Film Festival from the beginning. What starts out as a hunting target purchased through a local sporting goods store, and sponsored by area businesses, is transformed into a fine art sculpture by area artists.
The Painted Bear Sculpture project began with six bear sculptures the first year, then grew to a dozen and in 2002, they were doubled. For the past three years, the painted bears captured the attention of Milford and Pike County residents as well as visitors. In August until the end of the festival in October, brightly colored bears have adorned the streets of Milford to promote the annual Film Festival. Then, during the festival, they are auctioned off to the highest (silent) bidder. 
2002 was no different. Thanks to the hard work of artist Maria Torffield and her volunteers, Carol Coscia, Lene Hougaard and Nancy Pitcher, the painted bear project swung into action.
The best part isn't even the tremendous amount of money this raises for the festival. The best part is the exposure each artist gains by the high visibility of this project.
The project would never work without the help of area businesses who sponsor the bears. They agree to sponsor a bear, and turn them over to the artists.
Participating artists for Painted Bear Sculptures 2002 (pictured) include: Christabel Aidala, Melissa Batalin, Victoria Booth, Dale Giambra-Currie, Yolanda Goldsack, Chris Goergalas, John Goscot, Kalina Ivanov with a team of three children ( Alexander Arizan, Marcus Kener, Charles Noyes), John Kirslis, Billy Kloetzer, Ed Longendorfer, Bob Lucciola, Ricky of Luna Parc, the children of Sunshine Station under supervision of Pam Lutfy, Judy Peters, Susan Pisarri, Chuck Reinhardt, Sandra Rosado, Roslyn Ross-Hoffman, Maria Torffield, Cortney Van Jahnke, Catherine Ward-Bortner, Gwen Warmke, and the art students of the Delaware High School.
The artists are sponsored by the following businesses:
- Chant Realty
- The Hattree Inn
- Pike County Licensing
- Milford Chrysler-Bill Rosado
- Dimmick Inn
- Old Lumberyard- Sean Strub
- Broad Street Brassseria-Richard Snyder
- Old Lumberyard Antiques- Missi Strub
- Matt Osterberg
- Tom Duncan Photography
- The Sunshine Station Nursery School - Pam Lutfy
- Jess Oil/S&M Management
- The Biondo Group
- Altec Lansing
- Phoenix
- Milford Diner
- Wild Meadow Flowers Florist & TLC Salon
- LaGorille Restaurant
- Bon Secour Health Partners
- Water Wheel Café
- Carmichael Productions
- ReMax Realty of Milford
- Mt. Haven Resort.
The bears were unveiled Sunday, August 25th, 2002 at the Old Lumberyard, Milford, PA, and thereafter took their places in and around Milford. During the weekend of the Black Bear Film Festival, the bears are displayed at the Milford Theater, bids taken on a silent auction bidding list (you can keep checking it to see how your bid is faring, and up it whenever you like), and the bears will be auctioned off at the end of the Festival weekend. All money raised will benefit the Film Festival and its community projects.
Top Image: The Painted Bears move to the Milford Theatre in preparation for the beginning of the 2002 Festival.
Middle Image: Uncle Sam Bear by Susan Pisarri.
Bottom image: Artists meeting picture, May 19th, 2002
From Left to Right are
BACK ROW: John Goscot, Victoria Booth, Gwen Warmke, Chris Georgalas, Cortney VanJahnke, Bob Lucciola, Susan Pisarri, John Kirslis, Dale Currie, Judy Peter
MMIDDLE ROW: Roslyn Ross-Hoffman, Kalina Ivanov with son Charles Noyes, Yolanda Goldsack, Christabel Aidala, Catherine Ward-Bortner, Ed Longendorfer,
FRONT ROW: Alexander Arizan and Maria Torffield.
Go to the 2002 Painted Bears Web Treasure Map to see them all!
Download a printable 2002 Treasure Map to find all 24 Bears in the Milford Area. (Large Stuffit jpg file, 1.7 M )
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