1906-2001

Born in Maryland, Raymond Granville Barger was an artist best known for his monumental outdoor sculptures, including works for the 1964 New York World's Fair. He graduated from the Carnegie Institute of Technology and the Yale University School of Fine Arts, receiving a special fellowship from the American Academy in Rome. For the 1939 World's Fair, Barger was commissioned by the Heinz Company to create a sculpture for their Dome. The 65-foot high piece had a column encircled by 22 golden figures, crowned by a figure of the "Goddess of Perfection." While living in New York, Barger also had a successful business in model- making and photography for architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. He moved to Pennsylvania in 1966, where he wrote prolifically and referred to himself as both a poet and sculptor. Over time, Barger's work became more abstract, with "Transition" deemed the culminating example of his evolution. The 25-foot- long bronze sculpture was originally commissioned for the J. C. Penny Headquarters Building in New York City in 1965, and is currently displayed at the James A. Michener Art Museum. Photo: "Bear" by Raymond Barger.