West Volusia Artists announce Judy Bergado as Artist of the Month for February 2024. Her acrylic piece is titled All Aboard.

For about a year, Bergado had been wanting to do a winter scene with a train so she could use it for her Christmas cards. With help from art instructor Judy Millikan in classes at the Chisholm Community Center, Bergado was able to come up with this lovely painting. The artwork will be on display at the Wayne G. Sanborn Activity Center in DeLand during the month of February.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Bergado’s family moved to New Jersey. Upon retirement in 2015, she and her husband, Simo, moved to Deltona for the warmer weather.

Soon thereafter, Judy Bergado chose painting as a hobby. She was intimidated by all the brushes, the different mediums and the kinds of paper. Then she found Millikan, who was able to give her the confidence to try.

“I had never picked up a paintbrush to try painting, but I soon liked the feel of the brushes,” Bergado said. After that, she continued to learn from other sources, like online lessons.

Bergado has displayed her artwork and jewelry at many venues, such as the Enterprise Museum and DeLand City Hall. At one of the shows, her artwork took first place.

Bergado’s latest passion has been making journals from old hardcover books for her grandchildren. She continues to explore using mixed media, drawing ladies and faces, as well as learning how to use all types of paints, markers, pan pastels and more.

“Try something you’ve never done before. It may be something you enjoy and will be good at,” is Bergado’s advice. For instance, recently, she and her husband decided to learn how to play the ukulele.

Bergado joined the Deltona Art Club and became their treasurer. Then she saw the articles in the newspaper and joined the West Volusia Artists.

She also saw in the Wayne G. Sanborn Activity Center calendar that West Volusia Artists meet there 9 a.m.-noon on the first and third Friday September-May. The Sanborn Activity Center is at 815 S. Alabama Ave. in DeLand. Activities the club pursues include plein-air painting outdoors, field trips to museums and art events, art demos at meetings, and monthly challenges for members. Artists of all levels and mediums are welcome.

In February, the West Volusia Artists will enjoy a trip to St. Augustine art museums, as well as a plein-air outing to Hontoon Island.

For more information, call club President Melinda Cummings at 386-846-3330.