The Palm Beach Post du lieu suivant : West Palm Beach, Florida • Page 120

ft Del Don Seiler helped bring art to rav By Katie Mee Palm Beach Post Staff Writer ir' Beach area in 1970 and one of his more recognized works was born here. Swimmer, a sculpture inspired by Olympic gold medalist Mark Spitz, welcomes visitors to Fort Lauderdale's Swimming Hall of Fame. "Swimmer was created in the back yard of our home," Lance said. "His studio was wherever he lived." Seiler's work was exhibited during the summer of 1992 in a one-man show at Delray's Cornell Museum of Art and History. "The Cornell Museum was pleased to present the first major public exhibit of his work, offering a perspective of the versatility of his life as an artist," said Gloria Rejune Adams, museum director for Old School Square.

Seiler moved from Delray to Ona, the least-populated town in Florida. He became known as the "Sculptor of Ona" and lived in a former migrants' shed, surrounded by his sculptures. Seiler died in this environment. "He did not die with the music still in him," Lance said. "He told his story and lived his energy.

He was very in touch with his spirit and everything else. He had that wisdom of the great masters and he was aware of it." katiemeepbpost.com He lived for art ever since he was a young kid. He knew from the beginning that it was his purpose in LANCE SEILER Don Seiler's son division during World War II. After the war, he served as an apprentice to sculptor Ossip Zadk-ine in Paris, before returning to the United States, where he studied and worked in New York and Coconut Grove. He also spent 10 years in the Bahamas where he built, designed and managed Black Beard's Tavern, Junkanoo Club and Travelers Rest.

"He was always up on stage playing with the bands conga drums, percussion, you name it. He loved it," said his former wife, Margo Seiler Rost. He led frequent diving and boating expeditions throughout the Keys and the Bahamas. Also an archer, Seiler led hunts for boar in the Bahamas. Seiler moved to the Delray any of you might not have known Don Seiler by I name, but there's a good chance you would recognize his sculpture at Atlantic High School, or have been to or heard about the Easter Sunrise service he helped found in Delray Beach.

Seiler died Jan. 17, two days after his 72nd birthday, in the little town of Ona, outside Arcadia. "He had a way of communicating with people of any age," said his granddaughter, Lana Seiler. "He was the king of imagination, full of endless stories. When you were around him, his peacefulness filtered through you.

Who I am now has a lot to do with him." His magnetism drew people, said Maria Seiler, Seiler's daughter-in-law. He had friends from every walk of life paupers, playwrights, cowboys and millionaires. It was part of his artistic personality. Seiler created "Easter Sunrise," a tradition in Delray Beach for 30 years. It began as a very private tradition.

He took his two sons and a cross to the beach, Katie Mee placed flowers at the base of the cross, thought about why they were there and played music until the sun rose. "Over the years, more and more people started coming and it evolved into a gathering of over 150 people," said his son, Christian Seiler. Another Seiler icon is the statue that stands outside Atlantic High School. Inspired by football great YA Tittle, it was a gift to the high school. In return, Seiler was given a lifelong pass to the school's athletic events.

Seiler, the youngest of four brothers, was born in Miami Beach in 1928. "He lived for art ever since he was a young kid," said another son, Lance Seiler. "He knew from the beginning that it was his purpose in life." He served in the Occupation of Japan under the 11th airborne THIS SEASON'S MOST ACCLAIMED RESTAURANT Presidents Day 12 PRICE Sale! THIS ENTIRE PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND, 217-22100, WE'RE CELEBRATING WITH A PRESIDENTIAL 12 PRICE SALE. ALL PEPPERIDSE FARM COOKIES, CRACKERS, AND OUR ENTIRE BAKERY LINE WILL BE 50 OFF THE MANUFACTURERS SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE. JOHANNES Cuisine of the World Don Seiler started the 'Easter Sunrise' tradition in Delray Beach 30 years ago.

He took his two sons and a cross to the beach, placed flowers at the base of the cross, thought about why they were there and played music until the sun rose. Newspapers are a rare public forum for everyone. Make yourself heard. Express your opinion on a local or national issue in a letter to The Post. Mail to: Letters to the Editor The Palm Beach Post P.O.

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