Teaching art, nurturing artists Group exhibit at library showcases work by Graupe-Pillard & students BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer Grace Graupe-Pillard with her work,"Stephen on Respirator I & II." For over 30 years, area artists have been inspired, nurtured and mentored by Grace Graupe-Pillard. In fact, if it is Tuesday, you can count on finding Graupe-Pillard at the Monmouth County Park System's Painting Workshop Studio at Thompson Park in Middletown. She teaches four classes there, from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. There are more than 100 artists of all skill levels in her workshops and their work will be on display at the Middletown Library through November. This is the first time the class has had a show at the Middletown Library and only the second group exhibition since 1997. Susan Liu, assistant superintendent of recreation for the park system, said she had very little to do with getting the location for the show. "It was all Grace. She had learned from a few of her students who had shows at the library, that it was great space. Grace made a few inquiries and eventually got the workshop show on their schedule of exhibits. It has been a year-long wait," she said. "Joy (at the Savoy)" by Patrick Downey of Red Bank Liu explained that Graupe-Pillard was determined to give her students the opportunity to have work viewed by family, friends and art lovers in a gallery setting. "She has put in a great deal of time curating and hanging the show herself," Liu said, adding, "I had the chance to view the listing cards she designed. The show looks awesome." Graupe-Pillard's students come from Monmouth and Ocean counties, Long Branch to Toms River and Holmdel to Highlands. Most use oils as their medium, but a few use acrylics. The paintings on display are large and small, realistic and abstract as well as mixed media. "I'm very pleased with the breadth and diversity of styles and techniques in this show," Graupe-Pillard, of Matawan, said. "Sisters in Red" by Weiming Wong of Long Branch "Each artist is unique in his/her approach to form and content, resulting in paintings that are true to their own individuality. I am proud of their efforts which reflect my approach to teaching." Her approach to teaching may be called organic because she encourages each student to develop a style of their own. One of her students, Virginia "Ginny" Carlyle, called Graupe-Pillard's class a "total experience," because she not only gets to paint with the benefit of an experienced teacher but the class itself is very supportive. Carlyle began studying with Graupe-Pillard in the 1970s so she is one of the many students who have been taking this workshop for 20 or 30 years. She has a painting called "Hoops" in the show. The hoops refer to the large hoop earring on the face in the painting. "This exhibit gives enormous credit to Grace's teaching. It is a show of 104 students each painting in his or her own unique style. Grace promotes that individuality and pushes each student to achieve his or her personal best. And then she directed the hanging so every painting shows well," Carlyle said. She talked about the work that went into putting this show together. "Grace chose the piece she wanted from each person, spent a day receiving the work, another day hanging, another photographing and another very long day making the lists of artists and titles with numbers to match the photos. "And, of course, years of teaching went into the results that are being shown," Carlyle said. In addition to the exhibition, Graupe-Pillard will be giving at talk and presentation on Nov. 16 about her work from the period between 1970-2006. The presentation should be a kind of history lesson in how an artist grows and how art can depict social and cultural movements. In that 36-year time span, Graupe-Pillard has done many series based on her love of film, her concern about women's and family issues, war, the Holocaust, illness and modern life. Her list of exhibitions is extensive, her public art projects are numerous and her presence in public and private collections is impressive. The Gallery at Middletown Township Public Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, between Route 35 and the Cherry Tree Farm Road/Tindall Road intersection. The exhibition will run through Nov. 29 during regular library hours: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1-9 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit mtpl.org, or call (732) 671-3700, ext. 320