Paying Tribute to a True Work of Art
Creative Arts Center organizing A show of His Friends For Retiring Executive Director Claude Hulce
By Midge Boardman, Photo by Jill Karnicki
Paying Tribute to a True Work of Art
Creative Arts Center organizing A show of His Friends For Retiring Executive Director Claude Hulce
By Midge Boardman, Photo by Jill Karnicki
Wabisabi is the philosophy of Claude Hulce, retiring executive director of the Creative Arts Center in Burbank.
He translates this Japanese word to "Everybody is not perfect; there is beauty in imperfection."
In the ceramics class he teaches at the center, a sign cautions students not to seek perfection in people or in pots because they will miss out knowing a lot of good people and a lot of nice pots.
For his warmth and friendliness, his creativity and humor, Hulce himself will be sorely missed.
"The Creative Arts Center is what it is today because of Claude's talents and personality," said Carol Finkle, recreation program coordinator for the center.
Barbara Roe agreed.
"There's no one like Claude." said the Burbank potter, who has worked with him for the past 21 years and will continue at the center. "I'm heartbroken."
Instead of the usual roast or retirement dinner, Hulce suggested something more artistic. So Finkle organized "A Show of His Friends," which opens Saturday.
Although the number of participants couldn't be confirmed until after editorial deadline, Finkle expects a couple hundred former and current students, as well as artists who know Hulce through the center.
His story there began more than 28 years ago. While working for the City of Burbank in the warehouse, he was "rescued and brought over to the arts center," FInkle said.
Hulce is forever grateful to Betsy Lueke who, he said, got him into the Parks and Recreation Department in 1972 and helped him establish the Creative Arts Center and start the Fine Arts Program in a former senior citizen facility. Seventeen years later, the city tore down that house and put up the present arts center.
Artists who walk in are "blown away by the space," Finkle said.
Since it is a municipal facility instead of a private enterprise, the selection of artists is not limited by their selling power.
Consequently, Hulce could exercise his vision and reach out into he art community for interesting, nontraditional exhibits.
A native of South Dakota, Hulce earned his fine arts degree at Cal State Northridge. He has taught just about every artistic medium from candle making and leather craft to watercolors and collages.
Although he no longer will work for the city, he will continue to teach two intermediate pottery classes on a contract basis.
He loves working in clay. His favorite piece, he revealed, earned him the title "Dragon Master."
In 1982, he designed and created a bowl with dragon heads on the side. That work of art quickly became the popular popcorn bowl for the arts center.
Hulce is delighted that although he leaves his post, the bowl stays.