We live in a youth–oriented culture that values the new, the current, the trendy. But as much as we may hail the latest thing, or the "it" celebrity, we measure the value of a work of literature, drama, or painting by its lasting impact. Shakespeare's plays are still revered, Beethoven's symphonies still move listeners. These are artworks with enduring messages.
How does an artist's age influence the work he or she creates? What inspires an artist to pick up a paintbrush or a musical instrument? How does the art form shape or transform that artist's life?
"Old Masters" is an ongoing series about older artists, how they came to their art form, and how age has affected the art they create. KUOW's Marcie Sillman profiles five Puget Sound area artists. They tell us about their lives, their art, and what growing older has contributed to their creative process.
Reported by Marcie Sillman.
Old Masters airs Fridays during "Morning Edition" and throughout the week on KUOW Presents at 9:00 p.m.
Jan 8 Lois Chichinoff Thadei
Jan 15 Emanuel Vardi
Jan 22 Gwen Maxwell–Williams
Jan 29 Clayton Corzatte
Feb 5 Jini Dellaccio
Lois Thadei
Friday, January 08, 2010
As a young girl, society didn't expect Lois Thadei to amount to much. At age 7, the native Aleut was sent away to an Indian boarding school. Now Lois Thadei is recognized as a master Aleut weaver. Marcie Sillman traces Thadei's journey from the mean streets back to her traditional culture.
Emanuel Vardi
Friday, January 15, 2010
For most of his adult life, Emanuel Vardi was an internationally–known violist. A serious injury ended Vardi's musical career, but as Marcie Sillman explains, in his 90s, Emanuel Vardi is still making music. Instead of a viola, his instruments are paint and canvas.
Gwen Maxwell-Williams
Friday, January 22, 2010
Gwen Maxwell never planned to be an artist. She was a respected health care administrator. But after Maxwell's mother died, somebody introduced Gwen to quilting. In her mid–50s, Gwen Maxwell traded her secure career for life as a textile artist. Marcie Sillman introduces us to a woman who has finally discovered her true passion.
Clayton Corzatte
Friday, January 29, 2010
You may not know his name, but if you attend Seattle theater, you've probably seen his face. Clayton Corzatte has been an actor for more than 60 years. When he was young, he thought he'd be a New York star. But as that star was rising, Corzatte stepped away from Broadway to make his life in Seattle.
Jini Dellaccio
Friday, February 05, 2010
We all create our own life stories, based on our families, our talents and our dreams. But not many of us have reinvented ourselves as often as photographer Jini Dellaccio. And she was passionate about every path she chose. Dellaccio says "I truly loved whatever I was doing, all my love went right to it." Marcie Sillman brings us the story of a woman whose artistic evolution has spanned nine decades.
