Steve Ditko Retrospective In His Hometown

Spider-Man’s Co-Creator is having a celebration this summer in his hometown of Johnstown, PA. Here is info on the celebration! The Crawlspace’s own contributor Bruce Wechtenhiser is also helping with the celebration.

For Immediate Release  

The Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center to Honor Steve Ditko, Co-creator and original artist  behind Spider-Man, in an Eight-Week Retrospective Art Exhibition and Public Art Initiative 

CAMBRIA CITY, JOHNSTOWN, PA – The summer of Steve Ditko is here! Join the Bottle Works Ethnic Arts  Center (Bottle Works) in celebrating Johnstown’s native son whose comic book stories and characters changed the world.  

Born and raised in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Steve was a trailblazing artist and creator in the comics field, co creating Spider-Man and working for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and a host of other publishers. This  superstar, November 2, 1927 – June 29, 2018, has never been fully recognized as a Johnstown talent, but  during the Summer 2021 that all changes. Steve Ditko will get his due in a retrospective exhibition of his life  and work in a collaboration with the Ditko Estate and Marvel Comics.  

The Hometown Heroes – Steve Ditko Exhibition showcases July 15 – September 11, 2021, in the main  galleries at the Art Works Building (413 Third Ave. Johnstown, PA 15906). Notable Ditko family members,  supporters, and celebrities will attend an exclusive VIP opening reception on Saturday, July 24, 2021. (More  information and media alert to follow.)  

“This exhibit is all about the community,” says Bottle Works Creative Director Matthew Lamb. “In raising  awareness of Steve’s accomplishments, we want to encourage community pride in this hometown hero and to  all the local heroes that are yet to come. Steve showed us what we can do, with our shared appreciation of this  town and its spirit, to make our dreams come true.”  

Aside from being one of the creative forces behind Spider-Man and his cast of supporting characters and  villains, Steve had his hand in making many other iconic comic book characters such as Doctor Strange,  Squirrel Girl, The Question, Mr. A., and The Creeper. He also wrote, penciled, and inked countless stories for  the leading publishers in the field, constructing a body of work that has influenced generations of comic artists,  filmmakers, TV producers, and dreams all over the world. This eight-week exhibit will feature artwork from his  formative years and decades-long professional career. The show will not only highlight him as an artist, but  visitors can learn more about the man behind the art. 

Steve Ditko was born and raised on Tennessee Avenue in the West End neighborhood of Johnstown, PA.  When he launched his career a s a professional artist, he moved to New York City where many of the top  comic book publishers were based. His connection to Johnstown remained strong throughout his lifetime, as 

he returned at least once a year to visit his family and enjoy the amenities of life away from the big city. Family  members in town and across the country have come together to honor his legacy and spark recognition of  Johnstown as a source of this and other creative talents who have made their mark on the world.  

In addition to the exhibit, the Bottle Works is excited to erect a public art piece honoring this legendary creator  as part of their ongoing public art initiative. Ditko-themed murals will appear at the Stone Bridge Brewing  Company (104 Franklin St. Johnstown, PA 15901) and Tulip Building of the Bottle Works (411 Third Ave.  Johnstown, PA 15906). The organization is actively seeking business and individual sponsors to help bring  this exhibit into fruition. Current sponsors include Martin-Baker America, In First Bank, and Comics World. To  support this endeavor donations can be mailed to: The Bottle Works, Attn: Steve Ditko Exhibit 411 Third  Ave. Johnstown, PA 15906. Donations can also be made online at wwww.botttleworks.org. Our crowd  funding campaign can be found at Go Fund Me at https://www.gofundme.com/f/steve-ditko-public-art-initiative For more information about sponsorship levels, contact Director of Advancement & Operations Melody Tisinger  at 814.535.2020 or at mtisinger@bottleworks.org.  

CALL TO ARTISTS:  

The Bottle Works is giving an opportunity for artists to express how the work of Steve Ditko has inspired them  in a community-curated exhibition entitled “Ditko Inspired Exhibition”, which will showcase alongside the main  exhibit July 15- September 11, 2021.  

Artists are encouraged to create and donate an original piece of work or a high-quality print. Submitted pieces  will be displayed in the ArtWorks Activity Center and will be available for purchase. A portion of the proceeds  will benefit two causes– the Hero Initiative, an initiative that creates a financial safety net for comic creators  who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying  work (https://www.heroinitiative.org), and future Ditko projects at the Bottle Works.  

In addition to the donated art, we are asking that you record a 1 to 2-minute video testimonial explaining how  Ditko’s works influenced you. To be included in this community-curated exhibition, please see our application  for submitting work @  

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1l_xpxvxOcIe8yy6Fxg6ebAV0Te3RL99P5LNzJaKIWKM/ and send your works to the Bottle Works (411 Third Ave. Johnstown, PA) by June 25, 2021. These videos will  be combined with interviews with Ditko family members and industry professionals that will run during the  exhibit. 

“[By doing this exhibit] my hope is to communicate to young people from Johnstown and the surrounding areas  that great things can and have come out of our city,” says Lamb. “I have been a fan of comic books and Steve  Ditko since I was 10 years old. It is inspiring to me knowing that Steve Ditko was from my hometown, and it  helped me to believe in myself as an artist.” 

The Bottle Works will host other programs, workshops and events that coincide with the Hometown Heroes  Exhibition. A full list of activities will be made available on the website (www.bottleworks.org) and on Facebook  (@bottleworksethnicartscenter).