The Historic State Theatre has welcomed its newest addition, a beautifully restored bear named “Pops,” to its growing collection of artistic bears displayed throughout Boyertown.
The story of Pops began in 2006 in St. Joseph’s, Michigan, where the Old St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Preservation Association held its annual street art program. The theme that year was “Beach Bears,” and the Maud Preston Palenski Memorial Library sponsored a bear they named “Marian the Li-Bearian.” After being displayed downtown as a tourist attraction, Marian was auctioned off in 2007.
Seventeen years later, Shannon and Ken Shaw stumbled upon the bear in Deltaville, VA, during a vacation. They spotted the once-vibrant bear outside Acme Antiques, an adjacent business to an ice cream shop they were visiting. Time had taken its toll, and Marian was in rough shape.
Determined to breathe new life into the bear, the Shaws brought it back to Boyertown and spent a year restoring the fiberglass body, sanding and patching holes to prepare it for a full artistic makeover. They entrusted local artist Deborah Maguire Meehan with the bear’s transformation.
Deborah envisioned something magical: a bear’s head emerging from a popcorn bucket overflowing with popcorn. With her creativity and talent, she brought “Pops” to life – a unique and whimsical symbol of Boyertown’s artistic spirit.
Today, Pops proudly sits ourside the Historic State Theatre, joining Boyertown’s beloved collection of artistic bears that delight residents and visitors alike. Visitors are encouraged to stop by the theatre to see a timeline of pictures documenting the journey of Pops – from his discovery in Virginia to his artistic transformation.
The community is invited to visit the theatre and welcome Pops home to his new life in Boyertown.