Not your average Joe: Documentary celebrates life of Altoona artist Servello | News, Sports, Jobs

City residents Kathrine Muller and filmmaker Jay Shaffer combined their talents in “Not Your Average Joe,” a retrospective of Servello’s diverse work as an actor, art and drama teacher, an art director for television, a muralist and gallery owner.

As a commercial artist, Servello, 92, is best known as an illustrator of children’s books. His most prominent assignments were the covers and interior art for several juvenile novels by William Kotzwinkle.

Servello, who continues to produce new art and works daily, said Muller deserves a lot of credit for creating the documentary.

“She thought it should be done and who am I to argue with her,” he asked rhetorically. “I’m honored. It’s very nice not to be forgotten and to have your work not put aside or put in an attic and forgotten. It will get the word out and that’s what any artist wants — for his work to be around.”

City residents Katherine Muller (right) and filmmaker Jay Shaffer combined their talents in “Not Your Average Joe,” a biographical documentary celebrating Servello that will debut April 12.
Courtesy photo

The film and related events grew out of Muller’s longtime friendship with Servello. She’s been collecting his art for decades and is among a group of individuals who provide Servello with transportation and support as his vision has deteriorated due to macular degeneration.

“Each time I would visit him, Joe would tell me these interesting stories about his life,” Muller said. “I thought, this needs to be captured and saved.”

Muller hired Shaffer, owner of Forever Forward Productions in Altoona, and work on the project began in September. As executive producer and director, Muller arranged for interviews with Servello and others who shared their perspective of Servello’s professional and personal contributions.

For Shaffer, the project has been “fascinating. I knew the name Joe Servello, but I didn’t really know who he was. From day one when we interviewed Joe, it’s been an incredible experience.”

A former television production videographer, Shaffer has a bachelor of art degree with a focus in digital cinema and television from Robert Morris University.

“There are three main parts of the documentary,” Muller said. “The first highlights the many different things he did. He was an actor, a director and illustrator, a teacher, a muralist. The second part focuses on the variety of his art … sculptures, book illustrations, murals and his generosity in sharing his talent. The last part is how he impacted others through the collaborations that he did with others, the amount of things he’s donated, his time and his art and the impact that he’s had. He’s a community treasure.”

The documentary features more than 20 interviews and will debut at 8 p.m. April 12 at The Sanctuary at ArtsAltoona, 2212 Sixth Ave. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

Additional showings are planned for 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. April 14 at the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum, where a one-day exhibit of Servello’s Altoona and railroad-themed art will be on display. Cost of museum admission is $17 for adults 18 and older, $14 for ages 4-17.

On April 13, two different art walks are planned that take participants to seven murals and two sculptures created by various artists, including Servello. The walks, planned for 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., begin at Heritage Plaza, 1401 11th Ave., and will be led by Dante DiAndrea, site director at Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Altoona, and local artist/historian Michael Allison, respectively. There is no charge to participate and attendees should gather at Heritage Plaza, Muller said.

Additionally, the Altoona Area Public Library will feature a display of selected books illustrated by Servello during the month of April.