How to go
What: Jack Howard Reunion Art Exhibit
When: Opening reception: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4; exhibit hours: 8 a.m. to noon, Saturdays; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; closed Fridays and Sundays.
Where: Middletown Arts Center, 130 N. Verity Parkway
Call: (513) 424-2417
MIDDLETOWN — More than 70 years ago, Jack Howard, then a first-grader at South School in Middletown, drew his first picture.
Since then, he’s drawn thousands of other sketches of private residences, historical buildings and ocean landscapes.
But he’ll always remember the first time his pencil touched paper. It was a sketch of a man sitting on a diving board and it was entitled: “Fat or thin learn to swim.”
Was it any good?
“I won a prize,” Howard, 78, said with a laugh.
From that award-winning introduction to art, Howard has become one of the area’s most recognized — and requested — artists. Tonight through Jan. 31, Howard will have his first one-man art exhibit — complete with 100 of his drawings than span more than 30 years — at the Middletown Arts Center.
As a Middletown Arts Center board of governors member, Howard conceived the annual Reunion Art Exhibit more than 10 years ago as a way to bring fellow artists, friends and patrons.
The exhibits are funded by the Hughes family in memory of Betty Hughes. Ironically, in 1978, when Howard was commissioned to do his initial drawing, it was of the Hughes residence and was entitled: “Great Oaks.”
Howard’s exhibit features the Marcum Conference Center Art Collection from Miami University that was part of the Miami Album, a 1981 book; several pieces from the Mary Jane Palmer Art Collection, drawings of Middletown homes and historical landmarks and watercolors conceived during Howard’s extensive travels.
It’s part Middletown’s history, part Howard’s postcards.
Howard, a 1951 Middletown High School and 1963 Miami University graduate, said he was “pushed” into having his own exhibit. He admitted he’s nervous about the exhibit, but at the same time, he said: “It’s fun. I’m having a good time.”
Patt Belisle, executive director of Middletown Arts Center, said the exhibit “will knock your socks off.”
She said Howard’s unique style is evident in about every drawing.
“One piece here and there is amazing in of itself, a room full of his work one might think would be too repetitious – not a chance,” said Belisle, who recently spent 45 minutes going from one piece to another. “You will not be disappointed and will enjoy a piece of the past from downtown Middletown and its surrounding historical buildings.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com.
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