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Published on 08/05/1996 All articles from this issue

Los Altos artist's mixed media convey inner strength and self-confidence

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By Agnes Derbin

Special to the Town Crier

What makes Los Altos artist Prentiss Cole tick? The artist renews himself through the transformation of life into art.

Educated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cole worked as an engineer before discovering his artistic side while taking an adult education painting class at Los Altos High School. Cole pursued both engineering and art for several years before focusing exclusively on art. Cole earned his master's degree in 1971 from San Jose State University.

By 1973, Cole returned to engineering because he could not reconcile his artistic and scientific selves. In doing so, Cole entered a period that was to give his art greater depth later in life.

Returning to art with renewed energy in 1990, Prentiss Cole's art reflects a personal journey of high and low points. His current art, which include assemblage and installation pieces, provokes, questions and is intimately connected to his search for harmony within himself and the world around him.

Enhanced by his self-imposed hiatus, Cole's multi-media art reflects inner strength and confidence. His art has depth with a theme of duality.

His art is not unlike Marcel Duchamp's ready-mades, but whereas Duchamp loved a good joke, Cole is austere and introspective.

Cole exhibits primarily at universities. He has shown at De Anza College, Modesto Junior College, Chemeketa Community College, and various community arts centers. Cole's studio is at the Cubberley Center in Palo Alto. For more information call 948-0141.

ART BITS: Gallery Michael/Sunbird Gallery is now open in their downtown Los Altos at 164 Main St. The combination of these two galleries under one roof brings a new dimension of contemporary fine art to the bustling downtown hub. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday until 8 p.m., and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Michael Shoffner and Ingrid Jackson-MacDonald, who run the gallery, bring a combined 30 years art experience and expertise to the Los Altos art scene. The gallery features original oil paintings, watercolors, limited edition silk-screens/serigraphs, lithographs, and original sculpture by Ingrid.

Agnes Derbin, a former ZYT Galerie director, writes an arts columnn periodically for the Town Crier.