Still Teaching Art After Four Decades

When registration opens for the adult drawing and painting class with the Buffalo Grove Park District, the rush is on to be the first to sign up. The class fills to capacity quickly and there's always a waiting list.  Aspiring painters are eager to take the class taught by Northbrook resident and professional artist Enid Silverman.

 "I would recommend this class if you can get it," joked Phyllis Shabsin, who's been taking the class for four years. "Enid [Silverman] provides an atmosphere of positiveness and gives you actual information on how to do things."

While Silverman has an innate talent, she started out as a high school English teacher.  She began painting more than 40 years ago as a hobby. "I never thought I'd do it as a profession, I was going to be a high school English teacher," Silverman said.

She was taking art classes with the Chicago Academy of Fine Art when someone took notice, encouraging her to exhibit her work. Soon, the accolades poured in. People were buying her artwork, giving her commissions and inviting her to prestigious art fairs and gallery shows. Silverman said one of her bigger challenges was designing stained glass windows which gracefully hang in several Chicago area synagogues. Silverman also is the host of Artist to Artist, a television show on Comcast Access. The show, 20 years running, allows her to interview hundreds of famous and local artists.

While she's enjoyed a rewarding career as a professional artist, her true love is teaching. She's taught thousands of students over nearly four decades how to paint.

 "It's very rewarding sharing my knowledge," Silverman said. "I learn from the students too, but seeing them create the magic -- when they hit a beautiful highlight or get a marvelous lighting effect, I find it just as exciting as when I paint it myself."

Silverman teaches seven classes a week at the Buffalo Grove and Wheeling park districts. Her students come from all walks of life, and many have never picked up a paint brush.

Claudia Russo and her husband began taking Silverman's class two years ago as something to do on their days off as hairstylists.

 "I come three times a week. I'm addicted to this class," Russo said. "I didn't know I could paint, but Silverman works with you and makes you feel confident which is really good and I've learned a lot." Russo came to the class with no experience and has since sold four paintings.

Another student, Wendy Sabbath, a psychologist by day, said she decided to take a risk and sign up for the class. "Enid [Silverman]'s so incredibly encouraging, she has a method that is non-fail for everybody," she said.

The Indian Trails Public Library recently exhibited the works of student David Ostrum. "Enid [Silverman] is a great teacher and she inspires us," Ostrum said. "To me, it's important to be in the same room with other people to share our problems and successes."

Silverman said her students join the class at all levels, from beginner to experienced. The students choose their own subject matter and Silverman works with each student one-on-one, teaching them how to develop and improve their drawing and painting skills.

 "I find out what they want to get out of the class and I try to bring each student up to be the best painter they can be," Silverman said.

 "She really makes you believe you can do it and you're amazed by the results," Sabbath said.

While Silverman said she can't guarantee she can turn everyone into an artist, she said she knows she can make "happy painters." When asked if she has any plans on retiring, Silverman is proud to admit she'll turn 80 in March of 2011.

"I'm very lucky to have spent a lifetime doing what I love," she said. "I hope I'll do it forever."

For all the students in Silverman's classes, they, too, hope she will be teaching their classes for a long time to come.

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