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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-02-20 Tries To Help That 80 Per Cent (Palm Beach Post)The Palm Beach Post -Times, Sunday, February 20, 1966 IT'S FUN Pam Sharp, eight -year -old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Sharp of North Palm Beach, looks entranced with painting. FINISHING TOUCHES — In photo, right, Mrs. Wan- da Bradfield of Yacht Har- bor Estates, left, buffs her work, a clay figure covered with aluminum, while Mrs. Reba Ewbank of North Palm Beach glazes a large pot. ATTENTION GETTER Work with clay gets the undivided attention of Paul Stewart, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Stewart of North Palrn Beach, and Peter Turecki, right, son of North Palm Beachers Mr. and Mrs. Anatole Turecki. fQ By JUDY RAMSDEN Staff Writer The building is the former Sir Harry Oaks estate — and if that sounds sedate — it really isn't. It's n o w vibrantly alive with artists — young and old alike — for it's the • North Palm Beach Art Center. Here in the building, shared with the North Palm Beach Library, Edward Jacomo di- rects the activities of the cen- ter and teaches varied art classes. The center began six years ago in the old firehouse. "At that time all we had was some newsprint (paper) giv- en us by the Post -Times and some crayons," Jacomo says. Two years later when the new North Palm Beach Coun- try Club was built we moved here to this building which used to be the -old country club." The enthusiastic director now ; has approximately 160 students during each of the two 16-week semesters held each year and more than 150 students during the summer program. The Art Center is self-sup- porting," he says proudly. It's owned by the Village of North Palm Beach — and actually is a department of the Village. It's not a place where peo- ple can learn 101 things to do with popsicle sticks or plastic bleach bottles. I try to encourage the student's recognition and appreciation of the visual arts and his de- sire to express himself through art. I want to get my students to use what they have — to think — and to be creative. It's a little harder for adults. For children — if they're dis- tracted, it's only a Temporary thing like `Johnny pinched me.' But for adults, it's some- times more difficult to over- come distractions and get back to being creative. For the children's classes I often bring animals like ducks here to the Art Center. And then there was the tiger that surprised some peo- ple. It was a promotion for a brand of gasoline and I per- suaded them to bring the ti- ger here for a class. And real- ly, how many adults here would ever have a chance to sketch a live tiger? It was such a wonderful opportunity for them." The 12 courses include sculpture, three levels of painting, print making, crafts, pure design, interior design, pottery, basic draw- ing, an introduction to art and art for children. These cours- es are divided into classes determined by the number of students applying. The students pay a regis- tration fee for the class as well as a fee for materials. Non-residents of the Village of North Palm Beach pay an additional $5 fee. The classes are small and so we often must refuse peo- ple who wish to register — and that's true now. The second semester classes which began last Monday were filled before they be- gan. v R) 71 3 1 3'j Amen 3I fld H3Y3 mVd Niaoe Y:,2`> "2te s t:S k.•:'c:$.'+.::k'a,RYy'•.,'tx;:N• ;?z•{.•'•':•;`•}:'' :{:•.+„,• yj5,`. ENGROSSED IN WORK — Mrs. William Haselmire of Palm Beach Shores, left, works on a pitcher as Mrs. Jay White of North Palm Beach glazes her vase . 1,71'.,..!...610.:;',...05M.1•••?::::?:.'7.3r • BUSY STUDENTS — North Palm Beach Village residents,left, Wendy Waterman, 9, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Waterman, and Mrs. William R. Stewart work on enameling. bit as she's having so much fun. When I was a little boy I once read — I can't remem- ber now where I read it — that a person really only lives 20 per cent of his life and that 80 per cent of the world's people die without re- ally having lived. Somehow it made me feel sad and I decided to try and help people Approximately 25 per cent of my students are retired people, 25 per cent are chil- dren and the remaining 50 per cent are young adults. They're really wonderful people," Jacomo says. "And they're so thoughtful. Often they'll bring me soup, cookies or pie — sometimes this place looks like Schrafft's. I'm one artist who won't starve." The director -teacher enjoys working with the students. In fact, I often say jokingly that we should have gradua- tion exercises. Many have taken all the courses that are offered — and I have some students who a r e starting over again. I remember so many stu- dents — a retired surgeon, for example, signed up for a pottery class. And every session he would set out his tools in a row with the clini- cal precision of a doctor pre- paring for an operation. And there's an engineer they're a breed by them- selves — I call them the cat men because at first they al- ways select brushes with about two hairs and paint with -s u c h exacting care). Well, this engineer at first only painted one subject — and that on small canvases. Now he paints very large works of varied subjects — much to the despair of his wife who must do her house- work around them. And the grandmothers — I have many as students they're wonderful too. We have one in particular who's very enthusiastic about her work. Everyone here calls her 'the swinging Granny' and she doesn't mind it a live the other 80 per cent. You know, there's hardly a day that passes now that I don't think of that phrase." A n d although he enjoys working with all age groups for each group is different", Jacomo especially enjoys helping a child, who perhaps does not fit into a scout troop or the Little League, discover the world of art.