Date: Fri 16-Oct-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: MICHEL

Quick Words:

schools-Andrew-Bleidner-artist

Full Text:

A Young Artist Connects With An Inspiring Titanic

(with photo)

Ever since Andrew learned the story of his great-grandfather James McGorrian's

brush with the Titanic , his curiosity on the subject has never waned.

Andrew's great-grandfather lived in Belfast, Ireland, where the great ship was

built, and he passed by it every day.

The sight of it eventually inspired James to travel to this country to make a

new life and legacy that would unfold over generations to bring the artistic

interpretation of the great ship by young Andrew James to the Southbury

Library.

Andrew painted the ship from several viewpoints and oversaw the collection of

vintage artifacts and replicas for the display. His mother, Claudette

Bleidner, said that Andrew knew just what he wanted and where he wanted it

placed in the display to create just the right effect.

Andrew's artistic potential has been recognized beyond the local level. Mrs

Bleidner said that C.W. Post Long Island University accepted Andrew into a

gifted art program. For now, however, due to the distance to the university,

Andrew will be developing his abilities closer to home.

Andrew has been inspired and encouraged by his teacher Charlene Yacovelli, of

St Rose, and learned much during projects such as the Titanic display.

Visitors to the library are also a great source of encouragement for the young

artist especially when they sign Andrew's autograph book.

Once when Andrew was fine-tuning the library display a gentleman asked him for

his autograph. His mother said that Andrew's response was "I'd be honored, but

I can only write my first name, if that's okay with you, sir."

The artist's next project will be on soldiers of the Civil War.