June 10, 2022
Waynesboro, PA. The name Thomas “Tom” McFarland (1943-2021) is well known in the Franklin County PA and Washington County MD areas for his many contributions to the local community and the artists guild.
Originally from Baltimore MD, Tom graduated the Maryland Institute College of Arts and moved to Waynesboro PA shortly after. He is well recognized by hundreds of parents and students in the area for his 30+years serving as art teacher in Waynesboro at West Junior High, Antietam Junior High and ultimately Waynesboro High School prior to his retirement. But with his love for the arts, he later taught another 8+years at Saint Maria Goretti High in Hagerstown.
Tom served on the Renfrew Museum Board to help establish what was later known as the Nicodemus Center for Ceramic Studies NCCS in order to preserve, collect, exhibit and interpret John Bell, Cumberland/Shenandoah Valley and other folk pottery. He later served on the Renfrew Institute Adult Education Committee as well as taught ceramics classes to adults at Penn State Mont Alto and the Ceramic Arts Center of Waynesboro.
He was dubbed “Tom the Turtleman” for his passion of turtles and their natural environment. He sold many pieces of his artwork at scientific conferences and sculpted turtles for zoo exhibits and nature centers that are still on display in Florida, South Carolina, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Bosnia.
Though he never learned to read music, Tom was a consummate musician and played various instruments including the ukulele, dulcimer, piano, harmonica, cello and most preferred the guitar. Playing everything by ear, he performed at several downtown Destination Arts and artist co-op events in the local area.
Hurley Auctions of Greencastle, PA is honored with conducting the public online auction of the McFarland estate which includes an entire household of furniture, antiques and tools as well as several pieces of artwork, sculptures and pottery by Tom and numerous musical instruments from electric and acoustic guitars to trombones, drums and harmonicas. The auction may be viewed at
www.hurleyauctions.com now through Friday June 17, 2022, and will be available for inspection at 12664 Polktown Rd, Waynesboro PA 17268 on Thursday June 16th from 4pm-6pm.
For more information on the auction click the following link:
VIEW AUCTION INFO CATALOG & PHOTOS
