Anne Jurgens (Art Instructor) began her teaching career in 1968 teaching English at Jefferson High School in Rochester, New York. In 1971, she left teaching to begin her family. After raising her children, she returned to obtain a master's degree in Reading at the State University of New York at Brockport. From 1991 until 1999 Anne taught second and fifth grades at the Village Elementary School in Hilton, New York. From 1999 until 2001 she taught reading to all elementary levels, grades one through six.
While raising her family Anne began her art career. First, painting in oils, and later expanding and experimenting with tole painting, clay, porcelain painting, sculpture, watercolors, acrylics, and multi-media painting. She studied under many accomplished artists including John Barsall, Steve Carpenter, Valery Larsen, Judy Soprano and Harriet Bingham Thayer.
Anne believes that art is for everyone. Too often we get discouraged in our youth believing that art is just for the talented few. The process of making art brings joy to the artist and is every bit as important as the finished product. We are always growing, which is one of the things that make art so much fun.
About her art, Anne says: "For me, art is an interpretation of life, an attempt to express the emotions that nature and life instills in me. Whether landscape, still life, portrait, or abstract, it is the emotional quality of my subject that inspires me. This emotion such as serenity, love, joy, excitement, courage, calm, contentment, or hope, to name a few, can be expressed through color, value or form.
Each medium has its own unique fascination for me. The rich deep color of oils best expresses some ideas, while the delicate transparency of watercolors best expresses others. Mixed media enable me to sometimes go beyond the power of paint into another realm altogether. Art brings me joy. It is my hope that I can share some of that joy with you, the student."
Anne's art can be seen on display at the 3174 State Street Gallery in Caledonia, NY and in many private collections in New York, Missouri, New Jersey, Florida and California.