Happy 85th Birthday John I. Spicuzza, Sr.
By Pamela Dillon Contributing Writer HOWTOGO
What: John Koepnick Sculpture
Where: Harmon Museum, 105 S. Broadway, Lebanon When: July 6 - Aug. 17 Opening reception: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 6
Regular admission: $10 adults; $6 (under 18) Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday More info: 513-932-1817 or wchsmuseum.org
It all started with a hammer, nails and a piece of wood.
John Koepnick was only 5 years old at the time, playing in his father’s Dayton studio. As the son of wellknown sculptor Robert
Koepnick, it’s no wonder he took an interest in molding and casting art forms.
Many of his 3D works are being featured at the Harmon Museum over the next several weeks.
One of the sculptures in the show is titled, “Dance.”
This contemporary piece is made from metal and, for the Cinergy Collection to this viewer, resembles Travel Show, and exhibits ak icking horse. in Cleveland and Pittsburg.
“The opening reception Locally, Koepnick’s art has for Mr. Koepnick’s gallery been shown at the Dayton show is sponsored by Locust Art Institute, the Cincinnati Grove Farm, and is free to Art Museum, the University the public,” said gallery of Dayton, Dayton Visual director Victoria Van HarArts Center, Mi ami Valley lington. Cooperative Gallery, and the
Koepnick was a teaching Dayton Soci etyofArtis ts. assistant at Carnegie-MelKoepnick graduated from lon and a vis iting instruc- Chaminade High School, tor at Indiana University and earned a certificate at of Pennsylvania. He taught the Art Academy of Cincin- three-dimensional design cross for a newly renovated vane at Cox Arboretum; nati. He received a bache- and sculpture at the Art University of Dayton chapel, and a Christian symbol wall lor’s degree in sculpture at Academy of Cincinnati and and a life-sized sculpture of relief for Christ Episcopal the University of Cincinnati. was a commission sculptor, Chief Little Turtle for Defi- Church in Dayton, a collab- He was na medaHeinzFel- doing portraiture and dec- ance college in Napoleon, orative work with his father. low, w ithanMFAinsculp- orative pattern sculpture Ohio. Among Koepnick’s In addition to private col- ture from Carnegie-Mellon. for Meier Johan/Wengler other commissions: “The lections, his work is included in Cincinnati. Spirit of Excellence” for in Richard Campen’s book,
His most recent commisPeerless Manufacturing in “Outdoor Sculpture in sions include a processional Sidney; a Carrot Weather- Ohio.” He has shown works loyalty and his love. "The greatest gift is a portion of thyself." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
As he celebrates 85 years young, we’d like to thank our Dad/Grandpa/Great-Grandpa for bestowing on us the great gifts of his kindness, resiliency, laughter, passion, integrity, compassion,
John I. Spicuzza, Sr., turned 85 years old on June 29th. He celebrated with his loving family at a surprise party on Saturday, which included family members from Boston, Florida, North Carolina, Texas and Kentucky. John was born to Josephine and Anthony Spicuzza in Boston, MA. He served in the Air Force from 1953-1957, where he met his beautiful bride of 64 years, Helen. A longtime resident of Fairborn, John retired from Chrysler Automotive in Dayton. He was a high school wrestling referee for 27 years and among other accomplishments, was inducted into the Ohio Wrestling Officials Hall of Fame in 2000.
John and Helen have 9 children, 7 in-laws, 28 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. In our eyes, he is a living legacy. HAPPY 85th BIRTHDAY. WE LOVE YOU!