FINE ART

By MIKE MATVEY- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

Cora Jusino is a multi-talented junior at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School.

Jusino plays volleyball and basketball, runs track, is a member of the National Honor Society and has appeared in the school musicals.

Oh, and for good measure, she just became a published illustrator.

Jusino has recently contributed nine illustrations to Dr. Paul O’Brien’s new book of poetry “Knowing the Place.” O’Brien, who has published three other books, is well known in the NDBG community having taught at the school for 47 years before retiring in 2014. O’Brien contacted Sue Silverstein, who teaches art at NDBG and was a long-time teacher at Bishop Maginn High School, wanting to know if she wanted to do the work.

“When Paul contacted me, he asked if I would do the illustrations for the book. I suggested to him that it would be so much nicer to have an NDBG student illustrate for him after all his years at the school,” Silverstein said via email. “Cora was an obvious choice. She is exceptional! She honestly has no idea how talented she is! There was no question in my mind.”

“(Ms. Silverstein) said it would be fun to have a student do it, so she thought I would be the perfect match,” Jusino said. “He gave me a list of things that he wanted to see me draw. I drew them all and he chose nine of them.”

Jusino is recognized around NDBG for her artistic ability, but it was a push by Silverstein that motivated her.

“Honestly, I always like drawing but I never really took it seriously until this year with Ms. Silverstein,” said Jusino, who needed about three weeks to complete the illustrations, which included a snow blower, a pine tree and a pie. “The first day I drew a picture and she said it was amazing and then a few days later that’s when she came to me about the book.”

“I’m obviously new at NDBG but Cora immediately stood out. She is intensely creative and gives 100 percent to every piece of art she creates,” Silverstein said. “She goes over and above and pushes herself to try new techniques. I’m so happy for her. She is one very special young woman. I look forward to working with her and seeing what her future holds!”