Howland Library Honors Local Artist

(Beacon) - Bill Neary was born in Beacon, and spent most of his life in the family home on Oak Street . William, his father, was a draftsman by trade, but also sketched cartoons and other subjects in his free time. Young Bill’s talent emerged early, and he is remembered sitting at the kitchen table drawing, drawing, drawing. He dedicated his life to working at his art, and as a student at Saint John the Evangelist School he was known as the class artist. By the time he graduated from Beacon High School, everyone knew Bill as an artist.

At 18, Bill joined the Navy just as World War II was coming to a close. After two years in the service of his country, he used the G.I. Bill to enter Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. He stayed briefly, coming back to Beacon to work for the U.S. Postal Service. He juggled a fulltime postal job and a career in art for many years. Bill continued his studies at the Art Students League in Manhattan, squeezing in classes when he could. Flexibility is the hallmark of the ASL and that has been an advantage to the many famous artists who have studied there. Eventually, Bill was able to leave the Post Office and work fulltime as an artist.

Bill worked in many media: oil, charcoal pencil, acrylic, watercolor, mosaic, and pen and ink. He was a sculptor. He designed stained glass windows and church interiors. He was a published illustrator and created murals. His eclectic style and range of work were largely a result of his desire to learn and explore on his own. His work lives on in many private collections and public places: Holy Eucharist Chapel in Letchworth Village, St. Columba’s Church and Convent in Manhattan, Immaculate Conception Church in Westerly, RI, Transfiguration Church in Tarrytown, and Holy Trinity Church in East Hampton, LI house his work.

Bill loved his hometown and helped to make it a better place. He exhibited at the Howland Cultural Center in a solo show, yet allowed his work to be displayed at the Howland Public Library in a large group show. A selection of Bill’s sketches and other works on loan from his family are now on display at the Howland Public Library, located at 313 Main Street, Beacon.
Bill succumbed to cancer in the late ‘80s. He is survived by siblings Suzanne Fahlman and Robert Neary, and by many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. On Tuesday, December 5, 2006, the Neary family came to the library to talk about Bill and his work. Muralist Rick Price showed his work-in-progress: a mural celebrating the Howland Public Library and community. Bill’s niece, Amy Fahlman Supple, has donated three prints for the Friends of the Howland Public Library to raffle on behalf of the Howland Public Library Mural Fund.

There will be three opportunities to win. The three prints of Beacon scenes: Main Street , Four Corners Diner, and the River, are on display at the library. Tickets are being sold at the library’s front desk, at Beacon Reads, the Friends’ New and Used Bookstore at 309 Main Street, and by Friends throughout the community.
Pictured Above: Amy Fahlman Supple, Suzanne Fahlman, Patricia Neary and Robert Neary; muralist Rick Price in front are gathered together for a photo as they were socializing.