Portrait of a winner Portrait of a winner (October 06, 2000)

Charlotte Severin: artist, cancer survivor

by Deborah Grossman

Charlotte Severin is an award-winning artist.

But her biggest prize, she says, is survival from two battles with breast cancer.

As a volunteer and teacher in the fields of art and health, Severin shares heart-felt experience and technical expertise with others - from preschoolers to cancer survivors - in the Tri-Valley and beyond.

In May, Severin volunteered for the American Cancer Society at the Dublin Federal Correctional Institution, presenting a breast self-examination program.

Vicki Roberts, associate warden, described the scene: "For the first time, the entire female inmate population participated in a health awareness seminar. Severin simulated a breast self-exam over her blouse. She explained technical terms in a way the inmates could understand - remarkably, the 1,000 inmates listened with rapt attention."

Severin calls these programs "Passing on the Power of Health." Celebrating her own health victories, Severin feels gratitude every day. "I try to pass on joy to others," she said. "Like smiling at a stranger, or letting someone ahead in the grocery store line."

Her thoughtfulness spills over to her volunteer work. Soon after her first cancer occurrence in 1976, she was named volunteer of the year for the American Cancer Society, Alameda County chapter, and has served on its board of directors.

Over the years, Severin has talked to countless women from near and far who have just been diagnosed with cancer. That difficult, numbing time period, she said, is like entering a dark forest. She encourages patients to talk to survivors about their journeys to recovery.

And Pleasanton's art scene has also been blessed by her involvement.

Severin's art interests were kindled at age 12 when her grandfather gave her a set of oil paints. She took the bus from El Cerrito to Oakland for painting lessons and was inspired to become an artist.

Her father, however, encouraged her to "get a career." Severin studied nursing and enjoyed a 26-year health services career as part-time school nurse and consultant for the Pleasanton school district. She continued to paint as a "plein air" (outdoors) artist with oils and watercolor. Her original work and limited edition lithographs are sold in galleries in Northern California. The Oakland Museum recently purchased one of her well-known paintings, "Wente Sparkling Wine Cellars in Autumn," for its permanent collection.

Severin's career as an art teacher and volunteer began when she settled in Pleasanton in 1967 with her husband Gerald, a dermatologist. She launched the Arts in the Schools program, was elected first president of the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council, and chaired the Amador Theater renovation project.

Andy Jorgensen, Pleasanton's Civic Arts manager, commented, "Charlotte has been a visionary and driving force for supporting and advocating the arts before it was fashionable to do so."

Severin's green eyes sparkle when she talks about passing on her love of the arts to the next generation. In early August she participated in the city's first Children's Art Festival, helping 130 kids paint teddy bears and flowers. She teaches "Art Made Easy for Mom and Me" and adult art classes.

Before every class, Severin shares a "thought for the day" to spark creative thinking. Her young students chide her if she forgets these inspirational vignettes. She especially enjoys painting with recovering cancer patients, helping them discover how artistic pursuits help diminish pain and accelerate healing.

Severin's interests inspire her family, too. Daughter Kim Coberg is a psychiatric crisis nurse. Son Jack is a regional manager for a Bay Area firm. Her youngest daughter, Julie Frey, is a graduate student in educational counseling. Frey painted a portrait of her mom and dad at the beach - Severin's favorite painting among many gracing her home.

Her five grandchildren, ages 3 to 15, frequently play in the house, which is filled with books, family photographs and hand-painted dolls. Here they create watercolor artwork with their favorite teacher.

In Severin's cozy kitchen, near a shelf with colorful Italian puppets, hang several plaques. One, the 1996 Mayor's Award for Outstanding Service, depicts her contribution this way: "Thank you for your enthusiastic and tireless efforts to focus community awareness on the richness and beauty of the arts, for your countless hours of community service, and for your unfailing optimism and generosity of spirit."

Severin's spirit pervaded the Dublin Federal Correctional Institution for several weeks after her presentation. Mike Goldstein, Acting Health Services Administrator, reported that inmates repeatedly came up to him and thanked him for the program.

"Now," he said, "more inmates, concerned about their overall health, are asking for mammograms."

When Severin heard this news, she smiled like she'd won a gold medal. "I want to help people stay alive, have a grip on life, and enjoy every moment." <@$p>