Joe Burger's Art on Display at South Windsor Public Library

Thirty-three pieces of artwork by South Windsor artist Joe Burger (of Broad Brook) are currently on display in the Friends Room of the South Windsor Library through the end of August.

Burger and his wife, Corinne, have been focusing on other endeavors since Joe’s retirement from Westinghouse in 2009 after 39 years of service. The first year out was devoted to finishing a large area above their Broad Brook ranch. Joe did most of the work, but relied on others for help and expertise where necessary. All in all it went very smoothly, “except for sticking my foot through the kitchen ceiling on the very first day of the project,” a slip up that’s laughable in hindsight. The finished area now serves as a great studio for Joe to pursue his artwork.  

Drawing skills were often applied in his work as a mechanical engineer, especially before the days of computer-aided design graphics. After retiring, Joe rekindled his art interests with self-guided sketching sessions at the New Britain Museum of American Art, then made a series of aircraft drawings including the Corsair, F-16, Super Constellation, F4 Phantom and others.

More recently, his subject matter has become quite diverse, ranging from a puppy in the hands of an old man, to houses and condos done on commission, even an attractive eye looking back at you through a hole in a fence, and still-lifes. He uses primarily graphite or the colored pencil medium because of the level of detail that can be achieved and has won several awards in local juried art shows.

Also, his work was accepted in two nationally recognized shows, the first sponsored by the Academic Artists Association and the second by the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts. Joe is currently studying with accomplished artists in the Connecticut area to broaden skills in watercolor, oil, and pastels. He especially enjoys doing work on a commission basis.  

In addition to the pieces on display at the library, programs are located in the room and additional information on availability of originals or prints is available at the librarian’s desk, or Joe may be contacted directly.