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I was born in the Washington DC area in 1950. My education started in Catholic Schools, then I spent two years at Wheeling College. In 1969 I attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After I graduated from PAFA in 1974 with a certificate, I won a fellowship to return to PAFA. Winning a traveling scholarship in May 1975 was one of the highlights of my life. I exhibited my artwork in The Walnut's Gallery, the Painted Bride Gallery and other small galleries in Philadelphia.
Charlottesville became my home in 1977. I was involved with the Blue Ridge Clubhouse from its inception in 1977 until 2004. I am now a board member of both the Very Special Arts Committee and the Region Ten Community Service Board. I drove my Volkswagon Bug to Alaska in the summer of 1993. During the 1990's I rode the bike everywhere. I still walk when I can, and bike to the gym a few times a week, but use the car during bad weather. I'm no longer active in mental health consumer activities. My current job is working full time as a Teaching Assistant of the Albemarle County Public School system as part of the Community Based Instructional Program. We work with students who need a little more help than the regular students. My residence is a Belmont apartment that I share with an adopted three-year-old indoor cat called Oreo. I am thankful for her company and the sense of love she feels for me. She too is a special friend and student of the arts. I work with the Virginia Festival of the Book helping young students paint their dreams and desires on cardboard or paperbags. I work with the Students of Post High, teaching them art by having them paint with my help. They are group paintings and I work with individual students helping them produce a canvas in acrylic paint. My work has been featured at many restaurants here including Megabow's, The Virginian, Little John's Deli, The Rising Sun Bakery, and Spencer's 206. I was part of 'The Paintings from the Piedmont' for a number of years. For many years I was shown at the nationally known 'Art by the Mentally Ill' in Florida. I have shown art at various websites like Artfaceoff.com and other websites like the National Art Exhibit by the Mentally Ill, Inc. website. My prize winning painting “Blue Food” is listed on that site. My artwork hung in a show at Union Station and at Gaulidet College for the Deaf and I attended ceremonies marking that honor at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. I and another poet were the only two people representing the State of Virginia at that event. 1992 One man show at Mary Baldwin College 1995 One man show at the Staunton Augusta Fine Arts Center 1997 Won second place in 1997 at 'Art by the Mentally Ill' 2004 International VSA show in Washington D.C. in June 2005 Installation at Sidetracks in the fall 2006 Carver Recreation Center in March 2006 Installation at the MLK Performing Arts Center from Aug to Oct 2006 Three separate showings at the C'Ville Market 2007 Carver Recreation Center in March 2007 VSA Exhibit 07 at the MLK Performing Arts Center 1997 - 2007 VSA art show at the Albemarle County Office Building |