Studies have shown that creative people are more able than most to live with uncertainty. Think of the scientist trying to discover a cure to a disease. The experimental phase probably takes up most of his time. A world renowned scientist recently said that the cure for MS may well happen by accident. It is the ability to allow the uncertain phase of life to occur that often leads to the most rewarding events.

How can we translate the above into our own lives? Try new techniques, experiment and constantly test things. Try using the words "could" and "possibly" more. Eliminate words like "never," "always" and other absolutes and experiment with speculation in your thinking. "I wonder. . ." is a good start.

Odyssey Art classes take this one step further. Our programs for children distill important facts from the civilzations we base our yearly programs on and present children with no only visual artowkr from the great museums but also the reasons why the works were created. Our adult classes, while not structured the same way, are often based upon art styles, methods, and even the work of famous artists everyone should be familiar with. An Odyssey Art Center instructor may base her painting lesson on a current show at one of the museums. An Odyssey Art at Sea class, sailing to Bali, may learn about batiks as they create their own. Later, that class will learn about Gauguin's style as the ship sails through tropical seas. In that same lesson, they will use the knowledge they've gained as a jumping off point in making their own art.

One of the reasons Odyssey Art Centers work so well is that the program is so stimulating. A parent is excited that her bright five year old in our summer program can discuss the difference between the painting styles of Mary Cassat and Cezanne. And the young student has had great fun as well as painting in those styles. Learning should be and can be fun on all levels. Sure, it's a lot more work for the teacher. But we at Odyssey Art believe that learning should never stop. An older student is amazed that she has unlocked a certain creative aspect of herself that she didn't know existed.

Art has taken on many forms of expression throughout my life -- whether it was in the design and construction of a home for my family, in the planning and preparation of an exotic meal intended to appeal both to the eye and palate or to assess the faded surroundings of another's home or office and then to infuse new life into that space. I truly take delight in exploring the ways we can observe and alter our visual world, but the most exciting and gratifying experience in art to date began in 1994 when I enrolled in Linda Perlmutter's adult watercolor class. Her extensive knowledge of the medium, extraordinary talent and unsurpassed skills as a teacher have provided me with the inspiration to permit my imagination to take flight, and to be expressed with a playfulness and a sense of adventure I never before experienced.

A year and a half ago I participated in the Odyssey Art at Sea training program. Last fall I had my first opportunity to employ the acrefully developed program. While crossing the Atlantic from New York to Southampton and cruising around spain and Portugal I witnessed something very special occurring among the passengers. Whether they had never picked up a paint brush or they had made a living as artists, they found enjoyment and satisfaction in the Odyssey Art at Sea class. Every student had a painting he or she was proud enough to exhibit at our art show. The captain marvelled at the high quality of each original.

Linda has refined a teaching method that enables us all to participate in painting having eliminated our fear of making mistakes -- there is none. We have the opportunity to explore and experience interpreting our world as we wish. What fun for us all. Thanks Linda!

Your class was the high point of my crossing. Thank You. D.A., Downington, PA

Thank you for your wonderful class. L.F., England

Both my children loved your class. You are very helpful and good fun. Thanks for all your help. C. & P.M., Scotland.

It has been very enjoyable! If you are teaching in New York, please let me know. You are an inspiration. Thank you! B.L.A., New York, NY

Thank you so much! Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! C.W., England

Greetings and a big thank you to Dorothy Calio for interesting and fun Art on the QE2 Mediterranean trip May 16-26. From a West Australian passenger.

I want to tell you how much I enjoyed Odyssey Art at Sea last November aboard the QE2. This is a "must repeat event" due to the excellent preparation, presentation and follow-through by Claire Ciancio. P.G.

At MoMA
Different Roads: Automobiles for the Next Century Through September 21, 1999. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden. Nine innovative automobiles designed to confront conditions facing the consumer and the automotive industry at the beginning of the twenty-first century.

At the Met
The Annenberg Collection of Impressionist and Postimpressionist Masterpieces Through November 7, 1999. One of the most distinguished private collections of its kind returns to public view.

Recent Acquisitions of Twentieth Century Design and Architecture Through November 14, 1999. Examples of post-1900 decorative arts including furniture, jewelry, glass, ceramis, textiles, drawings and other media.

At Hudson River Museum
Red Grooms, The Bookstore and the Late Seventies Through September 19, 1999. A celebration of the 20th anniversary of Red Grooms' Bookstore. The late seventies were frenetically productive times for hte internationally acclaimed Pop artist.

• Sleepy Hollow High School gave flutist Denise Olsen, former Odyssey Art student a special recognition award.
• Alison Lively, Odyssey Art student, Fleetwood Center, won an art award from Holy Child School in Rye, NY.
• The national literary newspaper The High School Writer published work by Anabel Ibanez, a student at Sleepy Hollow High School and former Odyssey Art Student, Sleepy Hollow.
• Jennifer Dondiego, Odyssey Art Student, Sleepy Hollow, and Rachel Kirschner, former Odyssey Art STudent, Sleepy Hollow, were winners in the Johns Hopkins Talent Search at the Morse School.
• Russel Anello, former Odyssey Art Student, Sleepy Hollow, was a top scorer in the college entrance exam prep competition in math at Sleepy Hollow High School.
• A mask created by Molly Jarr, former Odyssey Art Student, Sleepy Hollow, was selected for an Art Legacy Award at Maple Point School in Bucks County, PA.

Please let us know of other awards or items of interest!