March 18, 2013 (El Cajon)–An East County resident is participating in the Coronado Public Library’s “Art through the Generations” exhibit, scheduled from March 1 through May 31. Dolores Bridges Mote, of El Cajon, is among eight artists linked through public education and their teacher, Esther Painter Hagstrom.
Hagstrom taught art at Coronado High School from 1939 until her death in 1951. Some of her watercolors and etchings will be displayed with the works of her students who went on to become accomplished artists.
Mote, Coronado High School class of 1945, has painted throughout her life. She works with watercolors, oils, acrylics and pastels. Occasionally she makes her own versions of famous paintings, and she sometimes is inspired by photographs. Mote faithfully attends the weekly art classes at La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center.
Other artists include John Clampitt of Coronado, class of 1954; Sarah Mott Durand of Ashland, Oregon, class of 1948; Lois Drake Ferguson of San Diego, class of 1953; Patty Murphy Jepson of Coronado, class of 1948; John Minchin of Encinitas, class of 1948; Doris Klindt Naccarato of Coronado, class of 1951; and Hildegarde Jaeger Stubbs of Encinitas, who attended Coronado High School through her freshman year.
Suzy Hagstrom, a journalist in Point Loma, organized the exhibit in tribute to her paternal grandmother, Esther Painter Hagstrom. “This is the grandmother I never knew. She died before I was born,” Hagstrom said. “Connecting with her students was a way to get to know her. Even students who had no interest in art remember my grandmother and her lessons on perspective.”
The Coronado Public Library will become the permanent home of Esther Painter Hagstrom’s watercolors, prints and other works. The exhibit highlights the importance of art in education. Although the timeless landscapes of San Diego have inspired students and teacher alike, each artist has a unique style.
The Web site is estherpainterhagstrom.vpweb.com
