Peter Max A Returns to Beachwood Peter Max first visited Beachwood for the opening of the City of Beachwood’s municipal complex in 2007 and will proudly be welcomed back as the City of Beachwood’s centennial celebration continues. 6 Beachwood Buzz n October 2015 Max, an iconic American artist who is known for his cosmic landscapes and figures and vibrant art, has curated an exhibit that spans his 50-year career – from pop art to his Masters series, in which he interprets the works of Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso and Renoir in his own signature style and colors. Max has had the distinct honor of painting the portraits of the last seven presidents of the United States and the world’s best loved celebrities, among them the young sensation, Taylor Swift. His works are displayed in museums, presidential libraries, U.S. embassies across the globe, and thousands of galleries worldwide. He has been the official artist of the Grammys, five NFL Super Bowls, the 2006 Olympics, the World Cup USA, The World Series, The U.S. Open, The Indy 500, The NYC Marathon and The Kentucky Derby. He was also the official artist of the 30th annual induction ceremony for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, held right here in Cleveland. When talking with him on a phone interview, Max told us he can recall his love for painting from a very young age while living in China. His mother, Salla, a fashion designer, cultivated his talent by leaving art supplies on the balconies of their pagoda home. She’d say, “Choose any balcony and medium, make a big mess and we’ll clean up after you.” His art interests continued to grow, and while living in Haifa, Israel, Max took art classes and was introduced to the works of Henri Matisse, Maurice Vlaminck, Max Beckmann and Alexi Jawlensky. newly-curated collection of Peter Max’s exquisite paintings will be on exhibition and available for acquisition at the Beachwood Community Center, Saturday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Oct. 25. October 2015 n Beachwood Buzz 7