Art by late Joan Royals Stolicny, daughter, student on display

>> The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH) Auxiliary is featuring the artwork of the late artist and art teacher Joan Royals Stolicny, her daughter Jill (Stolicny) Petrillo, and one of her students Shirley Becker-King. This special show contiunes through early June in the hospital’s main lobby hallway, 540 Litchfield Street, Torrington. The public is invited to view and buy the works during regular visiting hours as part of the auxiliary’s ongoing “Artist of the Month” program. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the artwork support the CHH Auxiliary and CHH.

Joan Royals Stolicny began her art teaching career in Simsbury in 1956. She inspired hundreds of high school students throughout the years before retiring in 1995 from Lewis S. Mills High School in Burlington after 28 years. Her art classes sparked creativity and imagination using a variety of mediums including watercolor, acrylics, clay, linoleum. Joan also filled her summers with studies to further her education, encouraging her passions and eventually earning her a Doctorate of Art. Her love of art, history and architecture included studies of Monet, Mystic seaport, Shaker Village and traveling the European countryside. Her paintings grace numerous homes throughout New England and were painted plein air with a simple children’s watercolor set while visiting her son stationed in England.

With a technical education from Oliver Wolcott in Torrington in graphics and printing, combined with her mom’s art talent, Joan’s daughter Jill (Stolicny) Petrillo continues the art tradition in a variety of forms including calligraphy, computer graphics, crafts, sewing and more.

“With forever thanks to my Mom, Joan, and additional thanks to her student Shirley for encouraging me along this emotional journey in preparation of my Mom’s artwork. Also thanks to my brother Jon, for meticulously documenting his USAF career and their travels in photos,” said Petrillo.

As a student, Shirley Becker-King met Stolicny at Simsbury High School in 1956. Becker-King’s creative years were influenced by the lessons learned from Joan in art classes there. Over the years, she developed her own love and style of painting, leading her to show her work across Connecticut. A resident of Canton, she is a member of the Canton Artists’ Guild at Gallery on the Green.

In May 2016, after her 60th class reunion from Simsbury High School, Becker-King decided to look up her former art teacher and reunited with her for lunch after 60 years. At age 87, Stlicny could still recall the class, the year, Shirley’s friends and boyfriends. She was delighted to view Becker-King’s paintings, and was very proud of her work.

They made a plan to show their work together at CHH hospital for the following year, May 2017. Sadly, Stolicny died in August 2016; but the three women are together in the Artist of the Month show.

The auxiliary’s Artist of the Month program has featured paintings, photographs, and artwork each month from local artists for more than 25 years. More than 200 member supporters assist in raising money for the hospital through dues, donations, volunteering at the gift shop, and a variety of events including an annual fall fashion show and luncheon.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Paintings by the late Joan Royals Stolicny are part of an exhibit at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital’s Artist of the Month display, along with works by her daughter, Jill Stolicny Petrillo and a former student, Shirley Becker-King.