AJ Arts & Entertainment

Danielle Chicano Abington Journal Intern

According to Jeff Kuratinick of Clarks Summit, it was the teachers in the Abington Heights High School (AHHS) art department who gave him the motivation to realize that a career in art was possible.

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Shown above from left, Michael Ballino (uncle), Florence Ballino (aunt), Ann Kuratnick (mother), Jeff Kuratnick, Richard Kuratnick (father) standing next to his piece at the Keystone College Alumni Art Gallery reception at Keystone College – Kuratnick was one of 34 artists accepted from 1960 to 2008.

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Kuratnick names Cathy Corkill and Eileen Lang as two particularly influential instructors during his time at AHHS. “(They) gave myself and several other students in my class the juices to pursue a degree in art education. It’s the teachers in high school that ignite that spark.”

Growing up, Kuratnick said that art was always a part of his life. He initially planned on pursuing a career in architecture but said, with the help and support of the art department at AHHS, as well as his parents, he finally decided art education was the best choice for him.

“It’s something that, looking back on it, was the best decision I ever made,” said Kuratnick. “At Abington, they act not only as teachers, but also advisors to those who want to pursue a career in art in college.”

Kuratnick, 22, is currently in his final year at Shippensburg University and plans on graduating in December with a Bachelors of Art in art education with a concentration in ceramics and sculpture.

Kuratnick’s passion for art is matched by his skill and he recently had the honor of creating the first public art sculpture on the grounds of Shippensburg University. The sculpture was an 11-foot-by-13-foot Styrofoam foot and appropriately stood on an old railroad line and walking path at the University. The overall theme of the sculpture coincided with the specific site.

“It was transportation in general,” said Kuratnick.

He and another student at Shippensburg completed the foot in four days. They received a grant to make the initial model and recently received another grant to remake it in stainless steel. Kuratnick will begin constructing this next sculpture in January and it will become a permanent feature at the University.

Kuratnick was also accepted into the Keystone Alumni Art 2009 Juried Exhibit. He was one of 34 alumni artists from 1960 to 2008 accepted to the exhibit.

According to Kuratnick, his ultimate goal is to become an instructor of ceramics or sculpture at a college or university after getting his MFA in ceramic sculpture. He hopes to continue to work on grants and research projects and become active in developing as an artist and educator.

Kuratnick believes that his time spent with the art department at AHHS has been a progressive influence on his current and future interest in art and art education.

“They have a really dynamic program at Abington. Their art program is one of the best in the area.”