In Memoriam

STEVE PERUCCA

11-26-1941 to 5-26-2008

On Monday, May 26, 2008, Middletown Arts Center lost a legend. Long time artist and instructor of art, Steve Perucca passed away in his home from a heart attack at the age of 66.

The Middletown Arts Center, its Board of Governors, staff, fellow instructors and his beloved students wish him peace in the next chapter of his life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Steve was an instructor at Middletown Arts Center since 1974. The amount of students that were taught by him is uncountable. He has a following of dedicated students that have attended all four of his classes each week for many years. They have become a family as well as friends. Since 2006, as Director, I’ve seen 18 of his students receive awards at our annual Student Show and Area Art Shows. His teaching philosophies and style were like no other. He was demanding of his students; however they learned the gift of his knowledge in the arts and are now successful in their own right. 

Steve’s resume of accomplishments and awards is lengthy and his artist statement reads as follows: “The work is a statement of my identity; it is a by-product of my sensitivity of a certain time and space. In my work I deal with realities, these are of my own choice and are never one, or exist alone. Some qualities strove for are concept, vitality and variability of visual focus. My vision is not generalized by deals with my concepts and experiences. The work reflects these, but with the promise-always the promise. Making art is the justification for my being. For whom do I make it?  For those who approach it for a process of sensitivity and personal growth.”

The only thing left to say is:

“Thank You Steve – we will miss you!”

A Fund has been initiated by Steve’s students in his honor at the Middletown Arts Center to Award a monetary prize to a student in the Mixed Media Category at the Annual Student Show each year beginning in 2008.