As promised..."Marie Lamb, The Chatterbox!"

As promised in several places, I am delighted to share my portrait! It was painted by (who else?) Jerome Witkin. Mr. Witkin decided to paint me after I interviewed him for WCNY-FM in September of 2011; the offer was unexpected, but I took it, and it changed my life...no exaggeration!  Jerome worked on the painting in the fall of 2011 and in the spring of 2012. He suggested that I borrow it for display at WCNY-FM, and of course, I accepted such a generous offer! When I went to hear Jerome's talk about Karl Schrag at S.U. on September 18th of this year, I was surprised to learn that he had the painting ready for me to take back to the radio station! Jerome and one of his students got the painting into the back seat of my car, and it just barely made it in there! The painting's title is "Marie Lamb, The Chatterbox." Its title, the chattering wind-up false teeth, and the radio in the background are humorous references to my quarter-century in public radio. The photo does not do justice to this magnificent painting, which is on a pretty grand scale!  However, I hope you enjoy it, and words are not enough to express my gratitude to Jerome, not just for this incredible painting, but for his wonderful friendship and support, the greatest gifts of all!

P.S.: This photo of me with the portrait was taken on September 27th by one of our WCNY ReadOut volunteers, Patty Wilkowski, who has been following the progress of this project from the beginning!  I had a set of wind-up teeth on my desk, so we got a plate from the station kitchen and turned the teeth loose while Patty got the picture!  

Jerome Witkin to present gallery talk on Karl Schrag exhibition on Tuesday, 9/18

(This news is from the S.U. Art Galleries.  For all the Jerome Witkin fans in Central New York and beyond who follow his doings on this blog, you're invited to attend!  Please come and give our "J-Man" a good crowd!  Thanks, and hope to see you there--Marie)

Jerome Witkin, Professor in the Department of Art at Syracuse University, will open the 2012-2013 Syracuse University Art Galleries lecture series at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 18, in the SUArt Galleries in the Shaffer Art Building.  Witkin on Schrag: A Conversation with Jerome Witkin focuses on the current exhibition Karl Schrag: Memories and Premonitions, on display until October 21.

A student of Karl Schrag’s at Cooper Union College, Witkin will present a gallery talk and walk visitors through the exhibition of prints, drawings and paintings.  A unique component of the gallery talk will be Jerome Witkin’s perspective on Karl Schrag as a mentor and teacher, as well as an artist.  Considered one of America’s most important living figurative artists, Witkin celebrates over 40 years of teaching, the majority of which has been at Syracuse University.

The exhibition Karl Schrag: Memories and Premonitions is the first major examination of the artist’s work since his death in 1995.  The exhibition includes 70 original works of art by the influential artist, including paintings, prints and drawings.  Curated by SUArt Galleries Director Domenic Iacono, the exhibition highlights numerous prints from the Syracuse University Art Collection, as well as loaned work consisting of paintings and drawings from the artist’s family.

Witkin on Schrag: A Conversation with Jerome Witkin is free and open to the public. Complete information and related programming is available by visiting the SUArt Galleries website at suart.syr.edu.  Parking is available on campus in the Q4 lot. Please notify the attendant you are here for the lecture in the SUArt Galleries.

About The SUArt Galleries

The SUArt Galleries strives to provide the best possible environment for art appreciation and scholarly development. No photography will be allowed in exhibition spaces. For approved, press-ready images, please visit the exhibition website. 

The SUArt Galleries, accessible through the Shaffer Art Building on the SU campus, enhance the cultural environment of SU and the Syracuse area through meaningful educational experiences and encounters with the University's permanent collection and traveling exhibitions. It is the main campus venue for the visual arts and home of the University's extensive permanent collection. The facility hosts a variety of temporary and permanent exhibitions throughout the year. The SUArt Galleries is a member of SU's Coalition of Museum and Art Centers (CMAC).  There is a link to more information at http://www.syr.edu/news/articles/2012/suart-lectures-09-12.html  Also, our friends on Facebook can learn more, and invite their friends, at https://www.facebook.com/events/447993801910511/ 

(UPDATE: Allow me to wish Jerome and his twin brother, noted photographer Joel-Peter Witkin, a happy 73rd birthday!  Marie Lamb, 9/13/12)