Teenager
Freehold art exhibition
Teenager’s painting of
Springsteen brings note
of thanks from singer
By clare MARie celano
Staff Writer
FARRAH MAFFAI Michael Antrim, 15, won best in show at an art exhibition held at the Freehold Public Library for his charcoal drawing of Bruce Springsteen. In what turned out to be an uplifting surprise for the young artist, Springsteen sent a note of thanks for the effort Michael put into his art.
FREEHOLD — Michael Antrim not only walked away with a "Best in Show" award for his portrait of rock icon Bruce Springsteen, titled "Hometown Hero," he also earned a chance to meet "The Boss."
Michael was one of 50 students participating in Elaine Smith’s annual art exhibit held at the Freehold Public Library, East Main Street, on Jan. 30. The 15-year-old sophomore at Red Bank Regional High School, Little Silver, calls his art his "passion."
Enrolled in a special program at the high school, Michael spends much of his day making art and his off time doing much of the same.
After Smith announced Michael’s win and presented him with his trophy and ribbons, she pulled a surprise out of her teacher’s bag of tricks — a handwritten note to Michael from Springsteen.
Smith told the students and guests gathered in the library that Michael, who suffers from a serious form of Crohn’s disease, which affects the digestive system, was participating in a Make-A-Wish Foundation program while he was receiving treatment at the Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick.
The teenager’s wish? To have Springsteen autograph the portrait Michael had created.
Not wanting to wait for an answer from the foundation, Smith took it upon herself to write to Springsteen.
Her letter produced an almost immediate response from Springsteen that congratulated Michael, carried his apologies for not being able to attend the art show and contained a promise that he would love to come and sign the portrait at another time.
Smith also told Springsteen that a painting done by Denise Zolnowski, titled "Rosalita," was inspired by Springsteen’s song of the same name so Springsteen added a P.S., "Say hi to Rosalita." That painting garnered Zolnowski an award in the pastel portrait category.
Michael was so moved by the whole experience of receiving the highest award in the show and the promise of a meeting with his hometown hero that he had difficulty reading the hand-written letter signed by Springsteen.
Smith took over and after adding with humor that "Mr. Springsteen could use a little help with his penmanship," she read the contents to a quiet and attentive crowd.
Smith calls Michael a gifted artist and one with the potential to "go all the way." She helped him prepare for his entrance into the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Red Bank Regional High School.
Smith helped Michael work on the 15 required projects including many different types of media, charcoal, watercolors, colored pencil and more.
Michael was accepted but a glitch brought the process of his schooling to a halt — tuition. The $10,000 per year cost for out-of-district students sent his parents into thinking mode.
So great was his parents’ belief in his ability and talent that they decided to pull up stakes, sell their home in Howell and move to Red Bank.
Kathleen and Walt Antrim expressed their pride at their son’s winning the highest award and their excitement about the upcoming visit from Springsteen.
"He’s also hoping to play guitar with Bruce," Kathleen revealed, adding that her son plays guitar in the Calvary Baptist Church in Oceanport, weekly.
Michael’s portrait of Springsteen took him about 20 hours to complete. The stunning work depicts the rock star at his best. The slightly turned angle of his head, the slightly parted lips, the shadows and lights that combine to make more than just a striking image. Although you can’t see it, you just know he’s holding that guitar.
Many other students took home prizes from "Miss Elaine’s Art Exhibit," which the teacher has been doing now for four years. The exhibit, sponsored by Around the Corner Art Center, where Smith teaches art, is a forum for new and veteran students.
Liz Baird, a beginning student, won first prize for her black and white pencil drawing, "Love at First Sight." Featuring her 4-year-old grandson Ryan looking at his new baby sister, Lauren, the student captured the moment, the smile, the memory on canvas for a lifetime.
Jan Laszlo, another first-time art student, won third prize for her black and white drawing "The Rabbit."
"Peace on Maine Street," by David Bowman won first prize for a picture of a church drawn in pencil.
Joe Oppedisano’s wonderful image of one of the Three Stooges won fourth prize in the Black and White Teen category. "Curley" with his crooked smile and mischievous eyes brought back a piece of a memory most of us carry around.
There was "I Love Lucy," featuring Lucy and Desi in a pink heart. Done by Melessa Te, for the Pop Art Category, the student took home fourth prize.
Audra Taliercio drew her version of "Daddy and Me." Winning first prize the student drew a smiling baby and a flannel clad Daddy clutching his little one’s fingers. The clutching connection of large and small could not help but bring a smile to any viewer’s face.
There were lovely landscape designs, like "Autumn in Vermont," by Lorraine Rosato, which won second place in the pastel general category. The painting, with a design akin to the bridges of Madison County, spoke of tranquillity and nature with its tones of rust, yellow and green.
Gloria Cheng’s "Beach Baby" was a dead ringer for a lovely Victorian note card. A large painting of a tiny toddler dressed in old-fashioned lace and a wonderful baby bonnet enjoying a day on the sandy shore won first prize in the pastel portrait category.