Tribune Chronicle

WARREN – A large gathering of art fans turned out to a silent auction on Thursday for the opportunity to purchase a piece of history.

The family of artist James Friend hosted the event, which put 86 original watercolors up for bid in the cafetorium at Warren G. Harding High School.

Friend, a former Harding educator whose art focused on historical places around Trumbull County, died Dec. 14, at his home in Fairmont, W.Va. He was 74.

His wife, Jonnie Friend, said the event is a fitting tribute to a man who spent much of his life in devotion to children in the area.

“He would have loved this, especially to have it here at the high school. It means a lot,” she said.

Exhibits of Jim Friend’s pieces have been displayed in art museums previously, but this was the most extensive number of watercolors available to the public to date.

Friend’s daughter, Carla Sands, said the public reaction was overwhelming.

“Most people have been really receptive to it,” Sands said. “In particular, he painted a lot of historical places and I think his medium in which he expressed his art in the paintings was unique. I think people appreciate that.”

The event last about 75 minutes, giving fans an opportunity to walk through the rows of work – ranging from covered wagons to schools – and bid on their favorites. Each piece had a pre-decided minimum bid.

Niles resident Delores Macali already owns three Friend prints, but she came for a shot at an original.

“I have the Warren Courthouse, the McKinley Memorial in Niles and the Newton Falls covered bridge,” Macali said. “I did make some bids tonight. I really like the local aspect of (his work). I just think they are nicely done.”

Others, like Mary Bequeath of McDonald, were looking for specific themed works.

“I just love covered bridges,” she said. “I love his work.”

Many old friends came out to see Friend’s family and pay tribute to the artist.

Herb Laukhart of Warren, former safety service director, said he worked very closely with Friend over the years.

“I know that this event is about Jim’s artwork, but he was so much more than just art,” Laukhart said. “When he was on the Board of Education, he was also the recreation director.”

Friend also was a former Harding High School art teacher and administrator.

“I have a number of his paintings. I’m not sure if I’ll bid on anything or not, but I wanted to be here,” Laukhart said.

A portion of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the Tribune Chronicle’s Newspaper In Education program that Friend contributed to for five years after his retirement.

Tribune Chronicle community events coordinator Sue Shafer said the newspaper jumped at the chance to work with Friend’s family in making these pieces available.

“We were really thrilled when Johnny, his wife, asked if we’d be a part this event,” Shafer said. “In an effort to keep those originals in Trumbull County, we said we’d love to be a part of the event. It’s really an honor for us to be able to partner with Johnny and her family.”

According to Shafer, one of the goals of the family is to keep the pieces in Trumbull County.

“We had one or two go to outside the area, but the majority stayed here and we think that’s a great thing,” Shafer said.

She declined to say how many of the pieces sold and how much was raised. Originals that did not meet minimum bids were returned to the family.

“We also think it’s great that the school hosted this, because Jim was an educator who worked in Warren City Schools. We felt this was a wonderful venue to stage the event. He was an integral part of Warren City Schools,” Shafer said.

The sale continues today and Saturday with prints available at the Tribune Chronicle. No originals works will be included in the sale.

The Tribune Chronicle’s Newspaper In Education program helps fund literacy programs in Warren City, from elementary to high school.