Two local artists will provide lessons as the library during mid-July, as part of a summer of events at the library.
Painter Joe Dureza, whose work has been featured at the library, will hold in his next lesson on July 15 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and then again from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Artist Doug DePice, who has previously held lessons and exhibits at the library, will hold his next lessons on Wednesday, July 16 also from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The 54-year-old DePice teaches art in the Secaucus school system and is known for his creative approaches to teaching art, often combining various disciplines such as music, philosophy and history into his lessons.
Bios
Jose A. Dureza paints in oil, pastel and watercolor. He also does architectural renderings. He won first place, watercolor division, in the 1989 and 1990 Hudson artists’ regional shows, and was named Hudson Artist of the year in 1999 by the Hudson Artists of New Jersey. Trained as an architect, it is not surprising to find that his sketches and paintings also include the Secaucus municipal building, local churches and the downtown shopping district.
Pre-registration is required, and the lessons are open to residents 16 years or older.
Dureza’s classes focus on art created with watercolors. The materials needed for his class include an 8- to 12-color set of watercolor paints in tubes or in half pans, such as Winsor-Newton Grumbacher, Yark or similar brands not sold as school supplies. Participants should also bring 16-by-12-inch water color paper, 140 pounds cold pressed, such as Grumbacher, Cotman, Canson or Strathmore.
“I suggest sable brushes, but synthetics are good also, and less expensive,” Dureza said. “Participants should have a No. 8 round, a half inch flat and a rigger for fine lines. Other supplies needed are a bottle of masking fluid, mixing pan, or watercolor palette, paper towels, putty-type eraser, ordinary pencil, making tape, jar for water, kitchen-type sponges and cut-up plastic, such as a credit card.”
Doug DePice, who has won a Geraldine Dodge foundation award for his art, said his project takes students “from realism to abstraction,” influenced by Mondrian. “We’ll start with a realistic drawing of something observable and take it through three of four steps, abstracting it more and more to simplify it,” DePice said. “The end result will be pure design.”
Materials required for DePice’s classes include a 9-by-12 inch sketchpad, preferably Strathmore charcoal paper. He also requires a pencil set with erasers and coloring pencils, or a set of powder or chalk pastels.
Library Director Katherine Steffens said this is a great opportunity for the budding as well as the more established artist to learn techniques from experience an acclaimed artist.
“The library appreciates the time and effort both of these busy men are giving to teach these classes,” she said.
To pre register, call (201) 330-2083.
Radio Sundays at the library
Starting on Sunday July 13 and continuing for the following two Sundays, July 20 and 27, the library will feature “Old Time Radio Nostalgia” program.
This will be a remarkably pleasant treat for those who grew up listening to the “Jack Benny Show,” “I Love Lucy,” or even “The Shadow,” or for those curious about what radio comedy and drama was all about.
Martha McGuire will facilitate these workshops on radio nostalgia. Steffens said, “The classic radio shows will bring back fond memories to many as well as entertain those hearing them for the first time.”
McGuire has copies of “The Adventures of Sam Spade,” “Inner sanctum,” “Dragnet”, “Jack Benny,” “I Love Lucy,” “Abbott and Costello,” and “The Shadow,” to name a few. “These shows, dating back from 1938 to 1952, represented the main form of entertainment for most families in the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s,” McGuire said. “Many shows were so popular they went on to air on television. What makes the original radio shows even more interesting is that they come with the commercials intact. Often, the commercial is just as nostalgic as the show itself.”
McGuire said there are very few people who will fail to recognize the “Who’s on First” skit first performed on the radio by Lou Costello and Bud Abbott in April 1945.
“That skit went on to be performed many times on television,” she said. “The phrase itself has become synonymous with confusion.”
In addition to enjoying the afternoon, those attending will be eligible to win a $25 gift certificate to the Secaucus Syms, where McGuire is employed.
“It’s very generous of Ms. Marcy Syms to donate the gift certificates in support of her employee’s volunteer endeavor,” Steffens said. “Syms Corporation has always been a good friend to the library.”
Those planning to attend should call the library to register.
Harry Potter primer
On Thursday, July 31 from 1 to 2 p.m., the library will be holding a Harry Potter workshop. The event is open to kids from 9 to 12 years old. The event will be run by Jennifer Santos, who has read the five Potter books a number of times and has facilitated Harry Potter workshops previously.
“The interest in the new book has rekindled interest in the others,” Steffens said. “It’s been hard to keep the Potter books on the shelf. I’m so pleased Jennifer agreed to run the workshop.”
Santos said the workshop will include a discussion of J.K Rowling’s newest book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, as well as the four previous books in the Harry Potter series.
“I invite kids to come and `be sorted’ and to dress as their favorite Harry Potter character if they choose,” Santo said. “In addition to talking about the books, I’ll be testing the youngster’s trivia knowledge, and we’ll make a Harry Potter related craft. I promise it will be an interesting hour.”
Children planning to come must pre register.