Oakland Township resident Dorothy Sedlock and Romeo resident Joyce Kilpatrick were equally surprised when they learned they had been named the Orion Art Center’s (OAC) Patron and Artist of the Year, respectively, for 2003.
Both women have a history with the OAC, and both still teach classes there today. They will receive commendations during the OAC’s Snowflake Ball on Jan. 31, held at Indianwood Country Club.
Joyce Kilpatrick—OAC’s Artist of the Year
‘I first got involved with the Orion Art Center about five years ago,? said Joyce Kilpatrick, a watercolor painter. ‘I’ve been teaching here for two years. I have daughters (Lynnae Smith and Colleen Richards) who live in Lake Orion, so I learned about the art center.?
Kilpatrick grew up in Utica and worked as an elementary school teacher for 26 years before trying her hand as a painter.
‘It’s something I always wanted to do, but I really didn’t start until my children were older,? she said. ‘I took a number of (art) classes…I go up North every summer and take a workshop.?
Kilpatrick said watercolors are her favorite because she enjoys their ‘spontaneity.?
‘They’re very hard to control, they’re very fluid,? she said. ‘My favorite subjects are landscapes and still lifes…and I really love doing florals.?
Kilpatrick is currently starting a new project involving painting photographs of waterfalls she took in northern Michigan this past summer.
‘That’s going to be a big challenge,? she said.
When she’s not working on her own art, Kilpatrick teaches full-day workshops at the OAC two-three days a month.
‘I love seeing people learn and grow and improve,? she added. ‘I’d never taught adults before this. I really enjoy it.?
It doesn’t take much to inspire Kilpatrick to paint—she said sometimes even the sight of an eggplant will do.
‘There’s so much around that’s inspiring in nature…I’m inspired by my surroundings,? she said.
Kilpatrick also considers herself lucky to have a family who is supportive of her artwork.
‘My daughter Lynnae is also an artist, she works with stained glass. I have 12 grandchildren, some of them are also artistic…I bought one a set of watercolors fir Christmas and he’s going to start,? she said.
‘My husband Troy is very supportive, especially when I sell (a painting),? joked Kilpatrick.
Kilpatrick lists watercolor artists Tony Couch, Chen Khee Chee and Anita Engel among her personal favorites.
?(Kilpatrick’s) warm demeanor is captured in both the classroom and on the canvas, making her a great choice for Artist of the Year,? said OAC Director Reggie Harrison.
Dorothy Sedlock—OAC’s Patron of the Year
Dorothy Sedlock has been involved with the OAC almost since its inception.
‘I was treasurer for one year…I’m currently the vice president. I’ve had different positions on the board,? she said. ‘I work for Lake Orion Community Education, and I’ve taught art classes there for 20 years.?
Sedlock also teaches art classes at the art center, and is especially proud of the number of children’s classes that have been added to the schedule over the years, in addition to added adult classes.
‘I don’t know how many there were before, but we’ve really increased the number for children,? she added. ‘That helps promote community awareness.?
Sedlock grew up in Detroit and said she got to know the Detroit Institute of Arts like the back of her hand. She attended Wayne State University and is a certified art teacher.
Sedlock is also an artist herself, a painter, and lists landscapes as her favorite subject.
‘I don’t go for very long without doing something,? she said of her painting.
Asked if she was surprised to learn she had been chosen as OAC’s Patron of the Year, Sedlock said she was surprised and ‘very happy.?
‘I have put in a lot of hours this year, and I thought it was nice they recognized my efforts,? she said.
Sedlock’s father was also an artist, working with metal crafts. She and her husband Richard have three children, with one daughter living in Oakland Township, and two sons living on the West Coast, along with two grandchildren.
‘My daughter-in-law has them painting…they’re five and two and a half,? Sedlock said of her grandchildren. ‘I wanted to buy them an easel, but a friend beat me to it.?
Sedlock is proud of the progress the OAC has made since she came on board.
‘We’ve developed the upstairs for classroom space, and we’re trying to promote the musical aspect of the arts, with events for children and other events with music as a part of it,? she said.
According to Sedlock, the art center’s next big goal will be finding a new and larger space.
‘We’d eventually like to move to a larger site,? she said. ‘We need some fundraising activities, so we’d be able to do that. That’s a big step, and that’s our really big goal.?
Sedlock’s other goal for the center is to increase its numbers and make it more visible in the community.
‘I’d like more people to really know about it, so they’d be able to participate,? she said. ? If we reach more people, and get them involved….and beyond just the local area…the more enthusiasm and activities there will be.?
‘Dorothy has gone above and beyond the call of duty for the center’s betterment,? Harrison said. ‘Throughout the year, she graciously volunteered her time for every special event we hosted. She was there when we needed her, and that’s what makes Dorothy so deserving of this prestigious honor.?
Reserve tickets for the OAC’s Snowflake Ball, where Sedlock and Kilpatrick will be honored, are $100 per person, and can be reserved by calling the OAC. All proceeds benefit the Joan Brace Scholarship, as well as other art center programs.
Anyone interested in getting involved can stop by the Orion Art Center at 115 S. Anderson Street, or call 693-4986 for more information about Sedlock and Kilpatrick’s classes, or to request to be put on the mailing list for the OAC’s quarterly newsletter. Kilpatrick can also be reached at (586) 752-2458.