Fogel portrait unveiled at Age of Aquarius start
The Age of Aquarius: A New Generation Art and Music Festival kicked off Saturday night at the Art Center, 344 S. Main St., and is meant to be a celebration of peace, love and unity.
But with the unveiling of “Home,” a 96-inch-by-48-inch portrait of Marc Fogel made up of squares created by 50 local artists, the night was also a celebration of the Feb. 11 release of the Butler native after three and a half years of captivity in the Russian prison system.
His mother, Malphine Fogel, 95, was present for the presentation of the portrait. She said she spoke to her son Saturday morning.
“He called from the medical facility in San Antonio where he’s having a battery of tests,” she said. “He said they are treating him royally.”
After his return to the United States and meeting President Donald Trump in the White House, Marc Fogel has entered into a federal government readjustment program.
Malphine Fogel said her son’s wife, Jane, and his two sons, Ethan and Sam, were with him in Texas.
“He sounded pretty good this morning,” Malphine Fogel said.
Marc Fogel was arrested at a Moscow airport in August 2021 and found to be carrying a half-ounce of medicinal marijuana. In June 2022 he was convicted of drug smuggling and given a 14-year sentence.
His mother said while he was in prison, her son would call on a regular basis.
“That was his lifeline,” she said. “He never talked about his captivity in Russia. He would call on a regular basis every eight to 10 days. He gave no inkling of what the conditions were like.”
She hopes once her son is back in Pennsylvania, the Butler native will be able to talk about his experiences more freely.
His older sister, Lisa Hyland of Pittsburgh, said she talked to her brother once when he was on his way to San Antonio.
“He needs some time. He is very grateful to be home. He’s just trying to get his head around it,” said Hyland. “He’s having a bunch of medical tests and treatment to make sure he will be OK to enter the world.
“We are going to wait and let him call the shots once he is ready.”
Hyland guessed it would be a few weeks until her brother is back to Western Pennsylvania.
Hyland said the family was surprised by her brother’s release last week.
“It was more than we expected. We thought we would have to write more letters and call more legislators, instead we are thanking people,” said Hyland.
Sasha Phillips, the Fogel family’s lawyer, has been working to free Marc Fogel since his arrest.
Phillips, with Dentons Cohen & Grigsby in Pittsburgh, coordinated the Russian defense team.
Phillips said, “I’m originally from Moscow and I understand the Russian legal system, which is a complete disaster.”
She said it has been a long process to get Fogel free.
“We’re happy with the result. If he needs help after his rehab, I will be happy to do so. This family has a pro bono lawyer for life,” she said.
In addition to her legal skills, Phillips donated her artistic skills to the family. One of the squares that make up “Home” was created by Phillips. Centering on the former prisoner’s nose, her square depicts a guardian angel to one side and a portrait of Malphine Fogel on the other. The framed original square was presented to Malphine Fogel Saturday night as a gift.
Mara Mosser said her husband, Tom Mosser, contacted 50 artists to each donate a square to the portrait and gave them three days to create them. She said her husband connected the squares, including one she painted in a matter of hours.
Malphine Fogel said her son “would be embarrassed to death” if he knew he was the subject of a large-scale portrait. But embarrassed or not, she said. “I just want him home.”
Larry Sassone, the past president of the Art Center and founder of the first Age of Aquarius event in 2005, said the 2025 event is more than a song from the ’60s.
“It symbolizes a period of enlightenment, creativity and spiritual awakening in turbulent times,” he said.
The festival runs now through Feb. 22 and features live music, panel discussions and stand-up and improvisational comedy. The festival will also honor the 43 Butler County residents who lost their lives in the Vietnam War with the “Project 19” event Monday, Feb. 17 at Arts Center.
