ART
CLUB CELEBRATES
SEBASTIAN ARTISTS
Action on the high seas is the focus of this painting of the HMS Bounty by Sebastian River Art Club member Henry Pitt.
BY WILLI MILLER
Sebastian-area artists have been contributing to the
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quality of life in their city for 75 years, at least as
an organized entity. Back in 1937, what is now the
Sebastian River Art Club was a small group of local
artists, part of the Vero Beach Art club until the
north county residents split off from the Vero club in 1972.
A longtime member who was a contemporary of some
of the founders was honored at the club’s 75th anniversary
celebration early this year. Henry Pitt, who will be 96 at the
end of March, is still painting. Pitt was a Johnny-come-lately
to painting, not picking up a brush until art became a form of
therapy after a debilitating stroke almost 40 years ago.
“Henry paints every day and sometimes at night when he
has trouble sleeping,” says Claire Tebo, a 10-year member of
SRAC who paints portraits in oils. “He has done just about all
of the mediums, including drawing, watercolor, acrylics and
oils, which is his favorite. His subjects include animal and
bird pictures, florals, landscapes, portraits and sea life.”
Pitt also brings his youth in Montana to his realistic
paintings of wildlife of the west. He still offers instruction
and demonstrations and has been on the review committee
at SRAC for several years, judging the work of new members,
Tebo says. “His work hangs regularly at the Sebastian
City Hall in the rotunda and can be seen at the Chamber
of Commerce building as well as the library in Sebastian at
different times.” >>