86-Year-Old Artist/Sculptor's Work at Art League

When he was 75 years old, Paul Pomeranz decided it was time for a new career and he became an artist/sculptor. 

Even though he had a lack of feeling in his hands and numbness in his feet from cold exposure during World War II and 40 years of diabetes, and he said he can't draw a straight line with a ruler, he still was able to produce amazing artwork. 

How does he do it? "I don't know, I'll tell you the truth," Pomeranz said. He said it was easier to do sculpture than to paint, but he still does both.

He got the cold exposure during the war when he was shot down over Berlin (he was in the 381st Bomb Group as a tailgunner in a B-17 Flying Fortress).

"I was 19 when I joined the army and I wanted to be a pilot but they didn't need pilots at that time and they asked me to be a gunner," Pomeranz said. "So I became a gunner. On my third mission, I was shot down over Berlin and became a prisoner of war. I was forced to make a 600-mile death march across Germany in the bitter cold of winter with other Jews." 

After the war, Pomeranz returned to the U.S., got married, had two children, and had a long career in business and sales. Paul subsequently divorced and helped raise three more children with his second wife, Dorothy whose husband had died. Through it all, he always had a love of art and history. 

When he retired at age 71, he decided to pursue his lifelong dream of obtaining a college degree. He enrolled at C.W. Post, graduated with a B.A. in history, then pursued and completed his master’s by age 75. It was at that point that he began his second career as an artist and sculptor.

And now, at age 86, living in Melville, where he has lived for 25 years, Pomeranz's work is on display at the Art League in Dix Hills, an exhibit that has extended its run through May 1.

The exhibit, "Salute! Artwork by and in Honor of Long Island Veterans," is a  tribute to veterans. Downstairs in the gallery is Pomeranz's work: large, mixed media paintings and painted clay sculptures depicting World War II bombing raids on both European and Pacific targets. Upstairs in the gallery is art work from other veterans.

Admission to the Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery is free, although they always accept donations. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pomeranz is also selling signed copies of his book with his artwork. To get a copy, call him at home at 631-420-5679.