Why did you become a member of the Fine Arts Center?
We became members for a couple of reasons. One was to take better advantage of the classes offered at Bemis. Paula is a self taught artist who wanted to take some art classes to better hone her skills. For me it was after researching the FAC with Paula and learning all it had to offer. Being from New York, I was very interested when I learned that the FAC had so many diverse venues and the ability to offer Broadway caliber plays at the SaGaJi Theater.
When did your interest in the arts begin?
We both were raised with the arts. Paula’s mom went to the Boston College of Art so Paula learned at an early age how to appreciate art in many ways. As for myself, again growing up in New York it was almost impossible not to be exposed to the arts. In fact, by age ten I had seen my first Broadway play as well as my first opera at the New York Met. Being in the military, we were able to use that early exposure to the arts and take advantage of what was offered in all of our travels.
What has been one of your favorite plays, classes or exhibits at the Fine Arts Center and why?
We haven’t seen any plays at the FAC yet but currently have tickets for White Christmas and Peter and the Starcatcher. We both enjoyed the evening with Artist Kevin Sloan and the exhibition of his work (A Naturalist and an Artist, 2015). We also look forward to the monthly member tours. We especially enjoyed the tour that took us through all the operations of the theater and the tour where the art was brought to life through docent impersonations. We continue to look forward to see what’s new each month.
What is your favorite work of art at the FAC?
Paula’s favorite is the portrait of Miss Elsie Palmer by John Singer Sargent and mine is the Madonna and Child by Niccolo di Pietro Gerini.
What else do you like to do for fun in Colorado Springs?
We enjoy many things that Colorado Springs has to offer. We have special event season tickets to the Skysox. We also enjoy all of the special events that the city has to offer such as Frontier Days, The Balloon Fest and the Fan Fest for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. We also enjoy reading.