HSRC on the Radio: Artist Sidney A. Simon (1917 - 1997) Crossroads of Rockland History

Tune into the next episode of crossroads of Rockland history on Monday, April 18, at 9:30am on 1700AM WRCR Radio (right after the will and Jeff morning show), when we'll explore the life and artistic legacy of the late Sidney A. Simon (1917-1997).  On the occasion of an exhibition of his works at the Blue Hill Art and Cultural Center, two of Simon's children, Teru Simon and Mark Simon, will join me to share memories of their father Sidney Simon and their own recollections of growing up in Rockland County.

Sidney A. Simon (May 21, 1917 – August 4, 1997) was an American painter, sculptor, muralist, art school co-founder, and American Official War Artist.  One of his sculptures The Four Seasons Fountain Sculpture is located at One Worldwide Plaza in New York.   A small maquette of this monument will be on display along with other works by Simon through the Fall of 2022 at the Blue Hill Art and Cultural Center.  Learn more about Sidney Simon here:  https://www.sidneysimon.com/

Learn more about the Blue Hill Art and Cultural Center here:  http://www.bluehillartandculturalcenter.com/

Teru Simon is an artist working in the mediums of ceramics sculpture, pottery, painting & prints. She attended Bennington College (Isaac Witkin) and received her undergraduate degree from UWW at Skidmore College (Regis Brody, Barry Targan). MFA through Vermont Studio Center and Johnson State College. Teru Simon spent over 30 years teaching art to ALL AGES in public and private schools and colleges. In 2011 she retired from teaching for 23 years at Mt Anthony Union High School in Bennington, VT.

Mark Simon is an architect.  He is a cum laude graduate from Brandeis University, and a graduate of the Yale School of Architecture. Mark initially built cabinets and houses, but then worked in several architecture offices, and was soon hired by Charles Moore, his former teacher and dean at Yale. They collaborated on a number of homes, and in 1978 Simon was named as a partner at Moore Grover Harper, which eventually became Centerbrook Architects.

From the start of his career, Mark has been a pioneer in the practice of “green” architecture, beginning with his design in 1973 of an “Earth House” that was built into a hillside and decades later continues to take advantage of the clean heating and cooling energy of terra firma. Today Mark’s practice ranges from private houses and highly crafted furniture, to commercial, institutional, academic, and religious projects. His projects span from China to Mexico to local projects in New England. Recent houses like the Lakewood house in the Northeast and Casa Ambar in Cabo are explorations in new aesthetics.

Mark's innovative design has been noted by Time Magazine and The New York Times, among others. His 112 architectural awards include the prestigious American Institute of Architects Architecture Firm Award that Centerbrook received in 1998. In 1990, he was inducted into the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows.