Lewis Stemple Exhibit YT

Lewis Stemple (1910-1986) was a self-taught artist from West Virginia. His work is held mostly in private collections, from which an exhibition was assembled for the 25th anniversary of The Aurora Project, in September 2026. This video is an overview of the life and work of this reclusive painter who was born in Fairmont, served in World War II and spent much of his adult life in the farming community of Aurora, W.Va., in Preston County. His niece, Laura Frye, shares her memories of "Uncle Lewis" and The Project's Treasurer, Viola Wentzel, speaks of her visits to his stone tavern.