Butler, kids gain mutual appreciation
The kids painted their own ‘Silver and Black.’
Jackson Pollock's painting “Silver and Black”
YOUNGSTOWN — The 1950 Jackson Pollock painting “Silver and Black” is worth $2 million.
That inspired Aubrey Matulek of Berlin Center, 10, to say, “We should sell ours,” and then questioned a reporter about how much she could get for her painting.
Aubrey and her twin, Alex, attended Sunday’s Family Day at the Butler Institute of American Art, the home of the Pollock painting since mid-December when William and Linda Romer of Pittsburgh donated it.
As part of Family Day, kids 10 years old and younger received a guided tour of the museum, including a close look at “Silver and Black,” and painted their own version of the Pollock masterpiece.
“It was really, really fun,” said Alex of the Family Day event. “The best part was when we painted. It was a good time.”
Aubrey added: “I like to paint, and this was a lot of fun.”
Don Matulek, their father, said he brings his kids to the children’s art classes at the Butler.
The Butler provides great opportunities for children to learn about art and have fun with it, he said.
That’s the idea behind the museum’s Family Day, said Kathy Earnhart, the museum’s director of public relations.
“We want children to interact with their parents and the Butler art collection,” she said. “It’s an activity parents and children can enjoy together. We want to get them involved with art. If they get involved early, they’ll appreciate it as they grow up.”
The arrival two months ago of “Silver and Black” made it easy to decide what the children would paint Sunday, Earnhart said.
“Kids are tuned in to abstract art,” she said. “It’s like their art. It’s spontaneous. It’s fun. The best way to appreciate art is to make art.”
skolnick@vindy.com