On October 11, 2024, the Kutztown Area Historical Society will host a dedication ceremony for a Pennsylvania Historical Marker commemorating internationally acclaimed artist and hometown native, Keith Haring. The ceremony will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Kutztown Area Historical Society, located at 212 South Whiteoak Street, and will proceed rain or shine.
The event will honor Haring’s legacy as a pioneering artist who rose to global fame from his humble beginnings in Kutztown. After the dedication, attendees are invited to a special reception inside the society’s museum, housed in the historic 1892 Public School Building. The museum will feature a temporary exhibition of art, books, and artifacts that celebrate Haring’s life, including original chalk drawings he created for the historical society in 1982. Light refreshments will be served during the reception.
Born in 1958, Haring grew up in Kutztown and developed a passion for art early in life. After graduating from Kutztown Area High School in 1976, he briefly attended the Ivy School of Professional Art in Pittsburgh before moving to New York City in 1978. Immersing himself in the city’s vibrant East Village art scene, Haring began creating his iconic chalk drawings in subway stations, eventually gaining international recognition for his energetic, socially-conscious work. His bold use of lines, colors, and dynamic figures became a symbol of the Neo-Pop art movement of the 1980s, resonating with the public and making art accessible to all.
Haring’s influence extended far beyond gallery walls—his murals spanned the globe, from New York City to Europe and Japan, most famously on the Berlin Wall. Despite his untimely death in 1990 from AIDS-related complications at the age of 31, Haring’s impact endures through his art, which continues to inspire audiences worldwide.
The installation of the historical marker was initiated by Lehigh University faculty member Mary Foltz and LGBT equality activist Robert Tuerk, both of whom proposed the idea independently. The Kutztown Area Historical Society volunteered to host and maintain the marker, given its close proximity to Haring’s childhood homes.
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s Historic Marker Program, established in 1946, recognizes over 2,500 significant sites throughout the state. This marker honors Haring’s artistic contributions and joins a growing list of Pennsylvania natives celebrated for their impact on the arts, including Haring’s close friend and mentor, Andy Warhol, who received his own marker in Pittsburgh in 2021.
The dedication ceremony is open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend to celebrate the life and legacy of one of Kutztown’s most famous sons.
