Artist's work will endure at Knoebels Creator of colorful signs, sculptures died Monday
Larry Deklinski/Staff Photos A full-scale sculpture of the popular photograph of the flag raising at Iwo Jima during World War II was created at Knoebels Amusement Resort by Mount Carmel artist Matthew G. Rusnak, who died Monday. His artwork, both serious and humorous, can be seen throughout the park, but Dick Knoebel considers this Rusnak's crowning achievement.
ELYSBURG - For the thousands of guests who visit Knoebels Amusement Resort each summer season, it's hard not to notice the countless signs and sculptures throughout the park, from a 4-foot-long smiling dolphin called "Codzmo" at The Flume to a 10-foot tall Viking nicknamed "Thor" at the Sklooosh.
Most of the creative decorations can be attributed to Matthew G. Rusnak, who died this past week, but whose artistic legacy lives on at Knoebels.
Rusnak, who was 85 when he died Monday, left his mark in a variety of colors, shapes and designs at the park, where he was employed for nearly 20 years at the end of his career until he suffered a stroke at age 81.
A Mount Carmel resident, Rusnak began his relationship with the Knoebel family as an outside contractor on several park projects. Several years later, he became an employee of the park and worked on several key projects, including a large pirate grasping a sword at the Galleon and several murals that stretch along the outside walls of The Alamo.
Before he started any large project, Rusnak gathered information about the subject or object he was creating to ensure it would be as historically accurate as possible, said Dick Knoebel. For example, park-goers have pointed out that the flag says 1824 in the Alamo mural, and yet the battle took place in 1836. However, the painting is accurate in terms of the flag that was used in the battle, the 1824 date representing the year the Mexican constitution was created.
"He was definitely very detailed, and he did a lot of research on his projects," Knoebel said.
Rusnak's crowning achievement, according to Knoebel, is the Iwo Jima memorial near the center of the park. The full-scale sculpture depicts the popular photograph of an American flag being raised atop Mount Suribachi during World War II.
According to Knoebel, Rusnak chose to create the memorial after a personal experience while serving with the U.S. Navy during the war. Knoebel said Rusnak was serving aboard the USS Gosselin when his ship stopped in Iwo Jima. Rusnak went ashore and made contact with his brother,
who was part of the invasion force. Moved by the experience, he created the sculpture to pay homage to his brother and the others who fought at Iwo Jima.
While some of Rusnak's pieces have a serious side to them, Knoebel noted that many of the signs throughout the park have a humorous element.
At one of the park's food stands, Rusnak replicated the popular 1930 painting "American Gothic," which shows a women standing next to a man holding a pitchfork. At first glance, the painting looks like an exact replica, but a closer observation reveals otherwise.
"He put the faces of, then manger of the Old Mill, Dave Knoll, and his wife, Ester (on it)," Knoebel said with a laugh. "He always had a little bit of humor to him."
Knoebel, whose park today employs two artists, said guests next year may see new pieces that were conceived by Rusnak. Before his passing, Rusnak provided Knoebel with several sketches suggesting how to animate the Black Diamond - a three-story dark ride rollercoaster that is expected to open in 2011. Knoebel said Rusnak's sketches may become part of the ride.
Rusnak earlier in his career worked for Thompson's Outdoor Advertising, where he helped create billboard art for many businesses throughout the region. He later operated his own business in Mount Carmel.
In addition to his work at Knoebels, Rusnak created a portrait for the late Bishop Lawrence Schott, a mural of the Scott Colliery located in the bank in Kulpmont, and a large painting of Venice at Two Guys from Italy restaurant in the Anthra Plaza, Coal Township. Also, Rusnak created a beautiful series of paintings on Mollie Maguire themes commissioned by the former Mollie's restaurant in Locust Gap. Unfortunately, they were destroyed in a fire.
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