INTERVIEW: Joyce Raimondo On Virtually Exploring The Home And Studio Of Jackson Pollock And Lee Krasner

Joyce Raimondo, the Education Coordinator for the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center, has some wonderful news about upcoming virtual tours of the home and workspace of the iconic artists. There will be several opportunities throughout December for both children and adults to explore where the dynamic duo created many masterpieces.

As Raimondo pointed out in her interview with Hamptons.com, Jackson Pollock was “the leader of the Abstract Expressionist movement, and after marrying fellow artist Lee Krasner in 1945, the couple borrowed money from art patron and friend Peggy Guggenheim to purchase their home in Springs, located on choice property consisting of 1 1/4 acres.” Raimondo added, “The view of Accabonac Harbor is one of the things I love about the house.”

As Education Coordinator for over 15 years, Raimondo is an amazing resource of knowledge. She will virtually guide visitors through Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner’s home and studio. She noted she loves to help others discover the creative ways Pollock and Krasner expressed their feelings with paint. She also loves to discuss the art displayed in their home, and explore the barn studio filled with paint splatters – evidence of their masterpieces. All done 100 percent interactively on Zoom.

“Besides being the Educational Coordinator for the Pollock-Krasner House, I am also an author of children’s art books, such as Express Yourself. That book actually features Jackson Pollock,” she noted. “I also formerly worked at the Museum of Modern Art discussing the original Pollock paintings, with both children and families. Then, after September 11, 2001, I knocked on the door of the Pollock House and the wonderful [Director] Helen Harrison answered the door. It was perfect timing; they needed an education coordinator and I stepped in. Since then, I have developed programs for both children and adults.”

Raimondo reiterated, “Jackson Pollock painted with a passion and imagination. His bold steps into a changing art world created a path for many to follow to find their way. As the Educational Director of the Pollock-Krasner House, I am a firm believer of using his homestead as a catalyst for others to unleash their imagination and passions to be better people artists and citizens.”

When asked about her favorite places, she revealed, “One of my favorite spots is actually walking into the barn studio where Pollock and his wife Lee Krasner created their masterpieces. Seeing the sense of freedom that they had with the drip paints on both the floor, and also on the wall, it inspires me. It gives you a feeling that when you create, you can break new ground and find your own voice. It’s a very good reminder of the importance of trial and error in creating new things. Jackson Pollock is best known for applying house paint from sticks onto canvases placed on the floor of his barn studio. He walked around all four sides of the paintings as he created imagery that captures movement and energy. Whereas Lee Krasner, an abstract painter, is known for her innovative technique of cutting up earlier work to create new paintings/collages.”

In closing, Raimondo said, “Our zoom groups are usually in the low teens in numbers, but sometimes do reach 100. However, most are intimate, wonderful ways to interact with the fellow Zoom folks. In fact, one Zoom visitor knew Pollock – and actually watched him paint in the barn. Also, with Zoom now people watch from all over the world. It’s exciting.” She then invited everyone to check it out.

For more information about the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center and Joyce Raimondo’s Zoom tours, visit www.pkhouse.org.