The Catskill Chronicle

Story and photos by Carol Montana

There was a gallery opening on July 4 that served a dual purpose. One was to showcase the art created by the Studio Monday group – a weekly art workshop sponsored by the Daniel Pierce Library in Grahamsville.

The other reason was to honor the woman who started it all – Evelyn Porter – artist, neighbor and friend to many in attendance.

It all started back in 1986 when Evelyn moved to Grahamsville. Local resident, poet, and artist in her own right, Marylin Barr found five or six people interested in learning more about art, and Studio Monday was born. Barr says that she, along with others “persuaded Evelyn to take the reins and lead the way. It was Evelyn’s enthusiasm and support that really made the classes possible.”

First held in the basement room of the Daniel Pierce Library, the group eventually outgrew the room, and space was found in the community room of the Grahamsville Reformed Church. They expect to return to the library when the construction at that site is finished.

Evelyn Porter passed away last May, but, as she would have wanted, Studio Monday went on with their plans to host an art show. Watercolors, acrylics, oil paintings and more were on display. Artists and friends talked and enjoyed refreshments, and remembered the artist who meant so much to them.  

Didi (Andrea) Shapiro was one of the people who put the show together. “Evelyn was going to take me by the hand this year to teach me how to do a show. We’ve been working on it since December. Evelyn was the mother of this group.”

Shapiro joined the group about 10 years ago. “We all really help each other. I learn from everyone in the group, everybody has an eye for something.”

Studio Monday really never became as formal as a class. Artist and Studio Monday member Pat Wellington said, “Evelyn was our mentor. She would give us assignments, have us try different things. Evelyn was my first art teacher, she got me started. In 1994 I retired, and I wanted a hobby.”

The oldest person in the group, Ethel Coombe, is going to be 98 in a few weeks. Her medium of choice is watercolor. “Evelyn loved people. If she could help them, she wanted to. She said ‘All you have to do is put the brush in your hand and start.’ It’s amazing how many people just don’t understand that they can paint.”

So, in the spirit of teaching, Studio Monday will continue meeting at the Grahamsville Reformed Church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Drop-ins are welcome, or, for more information, call Pat Wellington at 845-985-7156.

“Certainly she (Evelyn) intended that we not be dependent on her,” said Barr, “and as you look around and see the diverse talents and mediums used, you’ll realize that she was successful getting each to do her own thing in the best possible way.”

Barr wrote a poem in Evelyn’s honor, the last verse of which can easily be said to reflect Evelyn’s legacy:

“For over thirty years she shared her talents with Studio Monday Artists, meeting weekly, in this place, to recreate with palette and canvas our world. Let us celebrate her life by teaching others as we have been taught.”

The Studio Monday Art Show continues at the Old Stone House at 282 Hasbrouck Road, Woodbourne, NY on weekends from 2 to 4 p.m. through July 26, 2009.

To view more photos from the Studio Monday Art Show in Memory of Evelyn F. Porter, visit the Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.