Art teacher
Carl Rosner, front right, celebrates his birthday with family —
daughter Barrie Rosner, left, and wife of 58 years, Marilyn Rosner,
right behind him — and friends at Sophia in Margate.
By
Michelle Brunetti Post, Staff Writer
Margate’s
Carl Rosner has taught oil painting to dozens of people over the
years, and Monday night he walked into a surprise 82nd birthday party
thrown by about 30 of his students at Sophia Restaurant in Margate.
They all brought a favorite painting Rosner coached them to finish.
“We don’t
often see each other, but we see each other’s paintings,” said
Kathy Ulrich, of Egg Harbor Township. She said students take lessons
at his home, and many leave paintings there in various stages of
completion. Ulrich teared up explaining how Rosner helped her work on
a scene from Provence, France — from the last trip she took with
her parents before they died.
“Carl is
like a psychiatrist and an art teacher,” she said of how he helped
her handle her emotions as she painted.
Lawyer
William Subin, of Margate, has been taking art lessons from Rosner
for about 10 years, he said. His wife, Petie Subin, said she
encouraged him to explore art as an antidote to his high-pressure
legal career. Party organizers were Corinne Sparenberg, of Linwood;
Judy Grier, of Egg Harbor Township; and Marcia Venier, of Northfield.
Venier brought a blank canvas because her favorite part of working
with Rosner is talking with him at the beginning, she said.
“I love
every minute of (teaching),” said Rosner, whose varied career has
included years as a commercial illustrator, baker, food and beverage
manager, and ad illustrator for the landmark Zaberer’s restaurant
in Hamilton Township, and risk manager for a Philadelphia firm.
“Teaching is just as rewarding as actual painting,” he said.
