‘Whimsical’ artwork brightens lives in Family Court
Lovers of art and those who are committed to helping families and children in distress gathered recently to unveil local artists’ original works that now brighten a Montgomery County Family Court facility.
“The art this year has a more whimsical flair appropriate for its setting and audience,” said county Judge Carolyn T. Carluccio, who spearheaded the four-yearold Courting Art competition with the Montgomery Bar Association.
The bright, uplifting works for children to enjoy were installed in the Master’s Building across the street from the county courthouse, a court-related facility that caters to child custody and support matters, an area frequently occupied by “families and children in distress,” Carluccio said.
“Artists use color, they use shapes and they use light and in communicating through that means they communicate much more than I think any words that I can come up within terms of passion and emotion and hope. I hope that what this art conveys… to all the litigants that walk through this building is that feeling of love and hope,” Carluccio said to the four dozen spectators who attended the fourth annual Courting Art dedication ceremony.
Many of the colorful works of art are arranged on the walls at the eye-level of children.
“We have children on sleds, we have merry-gorounds,” Carluccio said gleefully scanning the var- ious works.
County Commissioner Val Arkoosh called the display “beautiful” and said it brightens Family Court which is often associated with stressful times for families, particularly children.
“What a lovely and warm and welcoming picture to greet them,” Arkoosh, referring to a large mural that greets visitors, told members of the county legal community who gathered for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Carluccio, holding a large scissors, joined Arkoosh, Family Court Judge Daniel Clifford and Carolyn Mirabile, president of Montgomery Bar Association, in the cutting of the ribbon to unveil this year’s award winning art.
Several of the artists attended the unveiling, including Linda Crane, of Collegeville, whose “Monday Afternoon on La Grade Canal,” was awarded Best of Show. The pastel depicts activities along the Schuylkill River and the Schuylkill Trail near Phoenixville.
“It was a huge honor. I was really excited,” Crane, a recently retired art teacher, said about winning Best of Show. “I retired to start a painting career. So this was a good start.”
The former Spring-Ford High School art teacher, who spent 30 years teaching, described her style as French Impressionistic and said she sought to depict the activities of people along the Schuylkill River, which she referred to as the “Seine of Montgomery County.”
Lauren Daddona’s watercolor “Joys of Summer,” depicting her dog Gunner in Skippack Creek, was awarded first place.
Rose Folkes was awarded second place for “Fun at Fischer’s Park,” which depicts children sledding in the park located in Towamencin.
Malcolm Scott’s “Cannibal Queen at Wings Field,” which depicts a bi-plane on Wings Field in Blue Bell, captured the third place honor.
The Courting Art program was launched in 2013. The county’s Courting Art program, which has gained national recognition, is an initiative of the Montgomery Bar Association Community Outreach Committee.
“The idea behind it was to brighten the halls of our courthouse and to bring a little bit of levity and happiness to an area which doesn’t necessarily have it on a daily basis and doing all of that without any taxpayer help,” Carluccio said.
After the first three years, more than 100 paintings deck the walls of the plaza level and juror areas of the courthouse. In previous years, the artists were asked to paint reflections of the theme, “What I Love About Montgomery County” and the competition was open to artists 55 years old or older.
But for 2016, officials decided to decorate the Family Court division’s conciliators office in the Master’s Building, 321 Swede Street, across the street from the courthouse. The competition was open to residents of all ages and the new theme was, “Montco in Motion.”
In their works, the artists explored and celebrated active lifestyles, community happenings and recreational activities.
“The idea behind that theme was to bring a lot of light and brightness and happiness into this area. I think our artists have really accomplished that,” said Carluccio, drawing thunderous applause from those attending the unveiling.
Carluccio thanked Judge Clifford and the family law section of the Montgomery Bar Association for spearheading the development of a whimsical mural that greets visitors as soon as they enter the facility. The mural, inspired by a stage production of “Peter Pan” by students at Montgomery County Community College and completed by Chelsea Allen, includes several quotes.
“They really apply to this location. They really give you the feel for what happens in this court,” said Carluccio reading one quote, “I’ll hold you in my heart until I can hold you in my arms.” “It certainly has some great application here in the Family Court building.”
Officials said there is no cost to taxpayers for the program thanks to the amateur and professional artists, law firms and community partners who support the program.
“The art this year has a more whimsical flair appropriate for its setting and audience.” — Montgomery County Judge Carolyn T. Carluccio