‘Your Brother ‘Bud’’ photo exhibit on display at Penn State Altoona

ALTOONA, Pa. - "Your Brother 'Bud,' Photographs by John H. Gebhardt" will be on exhibit until Thursday, Sept. 5, in the Sheetz and the McLanahan Galleries of the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. There will be a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.

"Your Brother 'Bud'" includes over 200 photographs taken by the late Gebhardt in the 1930s and '40s. They feature landscapes, portraits, wartime subjects and more. The exhibition came to fruition through the vision of Madeleine Quinn, assistant teaching professor of visual arts at Penn State Altoona, who curated and conceptualized it. Gebhardt is Quinn's great-great-uncle, and his photographs and belongings were scattered and kept by various family members.

Gebhardt, known to his friends and family as "Bud," was born in Altoona on Nov. 13, 1910. He was an active member in the community, involved in many organizations, such as the Metro Tenpin League, Scouts and the Buckhorn District Winter Camp. He was passionate about photography and pursued it from a young age, which led him to take photos for the Altoona Tribune, where he also worked in the binding department and as supervisor of the mail room. He entered the service in 1942 and died unexpectedly from a heart attack on July 19, 1945, while stationed in Italy. His family members were informed of his passing through a condolence letter from 1st Lt. Kenneth W. Rhone. Gebhardt's body was finally returned home on Feb. 7, 1949, when ceremonies were held in his honor.

The galleries are open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For further information, call the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts at 814-949-5452.