August 10, 2006 Issue                                       

©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

One-man show for painter, 15,at Mt. Airy’s Sedgwick Center
MELISSA HUNSBERGER

Jonah Stern, who is only 15, stands in front of his paintings, currently on exhibit at the Sedgwick Cultural Center. (Photo by Melissa Hunsberger)

He’s filled numerous 100 page sketchbooks, completed more than 100 oil and acrylic paintings as well as dozens of watercolor and gouache paintings. His name is Jonah Stern, and the resident of West Mt. Airy is just 15 years old. His most recent accomplishment is his first solo art show, currently being showcased at the Sedgwick Cultural Center, 7137 Germantown Ave. in Mt. Airy.

Stern first became interested in the world of art when, at the age of 11, his mother took him to a studio class at the Woodmere Art Museum. It was about the same time that he received his first sketchbook. He began painting in oils and eventually transitioned to acrylics. Currently, the use of oil remains his preference.

Of the 27 paintings exhibited at the Sedgwick Cultural Center, the majority are portraits. Stern says his focus is on achieving realism in his work. Such Spanish artists as Diego Velazquez and Pablo Picasso have been Stern’s main influences. Stern says he enjoys Spanish art because of its use of color. Of Velazquez, Stern says, “His stuff is just incredibly well painted and just unbelievably inspiring to look at.”

Though he focuses his attention on realism, Stern says he doesn’t see himself becoming a realist painter. At his age he’s interested in gaining a traditional education in art which will afford him other opportunities in the future.

“I definitely want to be an artist when I grow up, but like in terms of, let’s say, art school, I’m not sure I want to do that. I’d rather go to a real university.”

Stern may seem unlike most kids his age, but he still enjoys activities like football, watching TV and playing video games. He’s even a member of his school’s baseball team (Akiba Hebrew Academy on the Main Line).

With his 16th birthday only a few months away, Stern says, “Getting a driver’s license seems like it’d be a lot of work.” Probably not more work then studying art. Stern has taken courses at the Woodmere Museum of Art as well as at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA). Although he continues to take classes at PAFA, he says it’s his homework at Akiba Academy that consumes most of his free time, not art.

In the past Stern has taken part in two juried exhibits and the annual members’ show at Woodmere. Of his current exhibit, one of Stern’s favorite paintings is that of a military man, due to the painting’s realistic quality.

His show runs through August 21 and is free to the public. For more information, call 215-248-9229.