{ fOr thE
Love
Of Art }
Show and Tell wiTh helen Poor
Photographer and Art Educator
By MARISA ANDERSON
Helen Poor has always had the art "itch,"
So when she heard about a contest to find Florida-inspired scenic artwork
to hang at the new Fenney Recreation Center, she submitted a few of her
picturesque photographs shot in The Villages.
"I'm very lucky here because we have such beautiful wildlife," said Poor, of
the Village Santiago. "You don't have to go far to see absolutely beautiful birds
and creatures and scenery. You just get inspired living here."
Out of 50 artists who submitted multiple works of art, Poor won two
coveted spots at the center along with 35 other talented artists.
Her photos titled "Mom, Can I Lead Now?" and "Lift Off " now adorn
Fenney's walls.
"I was thrilled," she said. "People have been so positive and have spent a lot
of time looking at the pieces and said what a great idea it was."
Poor attended Syracuse University in 1959 on a full-tuition scholarship to
pursue a bachelor's degree in art and art education.
She then earned a master's degree in both subjects while she worked as an
art teacher at a local school.
34
AUGUST 2017
"Lift Off"
Poor took this
photograph a few years
ago on a hazy morning at
Santiago pond. She saw
a group of egrets feeding
and waited until one
of them did something
interesting. When she saw
one of the egrets extend
its wings and lift its torso
upright, she quickly
captured the moment
with her Nikon digital
camera. This piece can be
found hanging at Fenney
Recreation Center.