Newsmaker
Monday, November 9, 1998
Name: Louis Pohl
Age: 84
Education: Cincinnati Art Academy
Position: Artist, retired art educator
Hobbies: Painting
Louis Pohl has painted inspiration in the lives of those he taught. Honesty and
spirit valuedAmong them is Sandra Edwards.
"I could relate to his work on an emotional level; (his art) was the way I saw things," said Edwards, a student of Pohl's for three years who now has her own jewelry line. "I understood him and he understood me. He just allowed me the space and the time to just kind of dive in."
To highlight and display Pohl's artistry, Kapiolani Community College's Koa Gallery recently honored his achievements at a luncheon.
And in honor of Pohl, an art scholarship is in the works.
During the Depression, Pohl said, he used to work as a caddie at a golf course. "One day, a very wealthy woman came up to me and said, 'If there is one thing you had a chance to study in college, what would it be?' I answered, 'Art,' " Pohl said.
For two years, Pohl's art education at the Cincinnati Art Academy was paid for. "As I was given the chance to go to art school," he said, "I also want to give someone a chance."
Pohl, 84, taught art at Kamehameha Schools for 15 years. He also co-founded the Art Center at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. During his career as an art educator, Pohl has taught more than 25,000 children and adults.
He believes everyone has creative abilities and potential.
"Limitations and competition are discouraged while honesty and spirit are valued," Pohl said. "The studio atmosphere is open, free, stimulating and exciting."
Said Edwards: "I really love his work. To me he's probably one of the most honest painters because he's never strayed from his true heart, the feelings he had for his subjects.
"He does what he really loves, and that's rare. A lot of artists are out to make a lot of money. That is not who he is. He just wants to paint what he loves."
Pohl's art can be seen in many collections throughout the state, collections by First Hawaiian Bank, State Foundation on Culture on the Arts, BHP, the Honolulu Academy of Arts and the Contemporary Art Museum.
"He's affected by his environment.
"He sees beauty everywhere, and I think that's what makes him special," said David Belke, director of the Koa Gallery.
By Stan Constantino, Star-Bulletin
