Local artist and sculptor Bruce Brazzo recently donated numerous pieces of artwork and sculptures to the Weatherly Area Community Library. The works of art are displayed throughout their "new home."

"The board of directors of the library are most appreciative of the generosity of Brazzo. His artwork brightens the rooms and the pieces also create conversation and imagination for everyone visiting our building", said Sue Ann Gerhard, president of the library board.Brazzo, who resides in Hazleton, is an award-winning artist who has exhibited his paintings and sculpture in many galleries and art spaces for more than three decades.In addition to studying and exhibiting at the Hazleton Art League, Brazzo has also shown his work at the Everhart Museum in Scranton and the Chuck Levitan Gallery in New York City and has work in the permanent collection of the William Penn Memorial Museum in Harrisburg. His artistic influences include Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock, who use abstracted forms and the elements of artistic design to tap into inner forces originating in the subconscious mind."As a painter, I am a firm believer in form, depth and color to create my own visual statement," Brazzo said. "When I am creating in any medium, my true nature is brought to the surface. There is a natural unfolding of my inner self toward my visual response."Also an accomplished sculptor, the art league has included several examples of his abstract expressionist sculptures to show the relationship between both art forms in his work.The library is open from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 10 to noon on Thursday; 10 a.m. to noon and 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday; and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.