If she is not exactly an "immortal," like one of
those French Immortals who comprise the Academie Francaise, Anne Poor of New City, has come within bailing distance of that
exalted appellation -- figuratively speaking, of course. But certainly as close an any American is likely to come to it in real life. For, you see, Annie Poor, among this nation's most distinguished artists, has lust been elected to the American Academy and Institute of Arts and letters, the American equivalent to the Academie Francaise, founded by Cardinal Richelieu in 1635 to be protector of the French language and the nation's cultural heritage, and where the entire body are referred to as "The immortals."-

So, Annie Poor's just announced election to the American body is as prestigious an honor as can be conferred on a creative person in this country;

To understand this, consider the following:
The Academy-Institute, incorporated by Congress (the Institute in 1913, the Academy in 1916, with the two merging in 1979) has a combined, and limited, membership of 250 Americans, each of whom has made notable achievements in art, literature and music.
In order to be elected, there first must be an opening, either because of death or resignation. In the arcane way these things happen, no one knows for certain who will be selected. But he or she must be an American artist of distinction. No one can apply for membership. Names are selected by rotating juries of Academy-Institute members and simply announced. To fill vacancies in its ranks this year, a total of 11, including Poor, were selected. Among the others announced were: James Rosenquist, painter, Cy Twombly, painter; Frank Gehry, architect; Renata Adler, critic and novelist; Robert Bly, poet and translator, Amy Clampitt, poet; Robert Coover, novelist; Robert Creeley, poet and essayist; Emily Hahn, novelist, critic and Journalist; and Gary Snyder, poet and translator.
Formal installation ceremonies will not take place until May 20 at the Academy-Institute's landmark buildings at Audubon Terrace and 155th St. in New York.
But, as happy is the news that Anne Poor will be inducted into the august body is the coincidental report that she is to be the
subject of a one-person show at Nyack's Hopper House four days later, on May 24.
But more of this at a later date.
Gertrude Dahlberg, widow of Edwin Dahlberg, another of Rockland's great painters, once wrote of Anne Poor: "Since the death of Edward Hopper in 1966, the only nationally renowned painter whose earliest roots are in Rockland is Anne Poor."

Although Anne Poor was born in New York
City, she was brought to Rockland as a child and has lived continuously in her father's fine old home, complete with double-thick cinderblock walls, hand quarried stone fireplaces and other details that give evidence of the artist's hand at work.
She is, indeed, a Rockland child through and through, having attended the Street School in New City and, like Edward Hopper, graduating from Nyack High School.
Early on, her first interest was music. She had hoped to become a concert pianist. But by the time she was in her teens, both her father and mother (novelist Bessie Breuer) realized that
she was a born painter.
Annie went on to study at Bennington College and, later, the Arts Students League, studying with Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Alexander Brook, Morris Kantor and William Zorach. At home, her father was her mentor, of whom she has said, "Henry was a great teacher, firmly disciplined, yet very gentle toward groping young talent."

During World War II, Annie was a WAAC Corporal, attached to the U.S. Air Force. Her painting talent came to the fore then when she exhibited at the National Gallery in Washington -- the only
woman, and a non-commissioned officer at that, in a group show consisting of four Air Force officers.

And so it has gone for Anne Poor: a lifetime of painting big things in a muted and delicate voice.

She paints her favorite places in Maine, the Caribbean, Greece, and most importantly, in Haverstraw, receiving recognition every
step of the way until, at this moment in her life, Annie might be likened -- though she would probably urge against it -- to one of
America's "Immortals."

BY MICHAEL, HITZIG