HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County commissioners approved a $40,000 agreement between the county and Philadelphia-based company Preservation and Decorative Arts to restore six judicial portraits during their Thursday meeting.

Senior Judge Jolene Kopriva made the request on behalf of both the Courts and Preservation Committee and the residents of Blair County. She said the restoration was fully funded “in a joint effort” by the Blair County Bar Association and Michael and Astride McClanahan.

“Between those two agencies, all of that money will be funded,” Kopriva said. “We need your signature on the contract to make that happen.”

Kopriva said Preservation and Decorative Arts is operated by Jacintha Kruc, who “was here years ago” when the county renovated what is now courtroom one, the courthouse lobby and other areas.

“She did the stencil on the wall of courtroom one,” Kopriva said. “She also restored the mural in courtroom two, so we know her work and are very confident that it will be a positive outcome for the portraits.”

Commissioner Amy Webster then questioned who owned the portraits, asking if they belonged to the county, the bar association or the judge’s families.

“I just have concerns that, if they’re not ours, we really shouldn’t be involved in the contract,” Webster said. “If they are ours, then, I’m concerned that — what if there’s damage to the portrait? What if there’s a breach by, let’s say, the bar association decides ‘well we’re not going to pay the whole amount’… then we’re left holding the bag.”

Kopriva said it was “very settled” that Blair County owned the portraits and they “are part of the courthouse.”

“I know that historically, that has always been the case,” Kopriva said. “And I know, from my own personal experience, I paid personally for my own portrait, but I donated that to the county.”

In regards to the second half of Webster’s question, Kopriva said she had it in writing that the Bar Association was willing to participate “and Mike and Astride have sent me two emails that they will.”

“I think there’s a level of trust that these are individuals who can be counted on,” Kopriva said. “The Bar Association … has the funds to do this, so it’s not a question of whether they have the money or not, and so we are comfortable with those situations. I hope you’re comfortable, too.”

Commissioner Laura Burke said before she took office about 2018, there was a large renovation with aspects “that didn’t feel complete.”

“It’s nice to have this in place to maybe finally complete courtroom one at least,” Burke said.

Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor is at 814-946-7458.