Final steps are being taken to move Ely’s Prusheck painting to a place of honor at Ely City Hall.
Stored in a closet for years and forgotten, the artwork will be moved to the large hall near the Council Chambers at historic City Hall.
To commemorate the artist and his work, a free community celebration will be held on Aug. 2 and in attendance will be Slovenian- American officials Joe Valencic and Miro Medved along with a performance by Slovenian vocal group Krila.
The public is invited to the program at City Hall which is from 11 a.m. to noon.
“We want to draw attention to the painting and its story because it is part of the history and heritage of the community, according to Margaret Egan with the Ely Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC).”
The artist was Slovenian born Gregor Perusek, known as Harvey Gregory Prusheck in this country.
The Ely Miner reported that in 1935 Prusheck was in Ely and held an exhibit at the Jugoslav National Home. A painting that was of interest at the exhibit was an Ely scene that grouped the Methodist Episcopal church, St. Anthony’s Catholic church, and the First Evangelical Lutheran church.
“It would be wonderful if we could locate the painting of the churches or other paintings done by Prusheck, said Egan, check your closets and let us know.”
As with many historic events, this one comes with a fascinating story. In this case, Ely’s Prusheck painting was displayed for many years in the Ely Library at the Community Center.
HPC believes the painting likely was hung in the library in 1938 when the Community Center opened. Fast forward to 2014 when closing of the Community Center is imminent; Angela Campbell with Celia Domich go through the building to save historic materials.
“I reached into a small closet, said Angela, and pulled out the painting and I knew it was something special. The painting was a beautiful scene that may have been Ely years ago.”
Since 2014, the painting has hung in obscurity in a small office at City Hall.
In 2025, good fortune once again benefitted the painting when Joe Valencic and Ely resident Jim Lah discovered that the “beautiful scene” was painted by Harvey Gregory Prusheck. “Valencic said the Ely painting is one of Prusheck’s best works.”
Prusheck is one of the first Slovenian-born artists to receive recognition in the U.S. He founded the Yugoslav School of Art in Cleveland.
A fundraiser is underway to restore the Prusheck artwork with restoration to include cleaning the painting, adding protective glass, and frame repair.
On-line donations can be made by contacting Ely Heritage Preservation Commission on Facebook.
