About the Artist
"I have been artistic since I was a child.."
I studied dance, piano, theater, painting, working in clay, carving rock, and doing bronze work. I took art courses in college and studied sculpture, painting, drawing, and piano. I am basically a self-taught artist. I studied art with:
- Every Woman's Village, Van Nuys, Ca
- John Raymond, Sculptor, Painter, Topanga Canyon, Ca
- Bethany College Art Department, Bethany, West VA
- Ed Stanton, Artist, Pacific Arts League, Palo Alto, CA.
- Eric Zane Shapira
Professionally, Dr. Shapira practiced Dentistry for over 30 years on the Half Moon Bay Coastside. He received his Masters degree in Clinical Gerontology from Notre Dame de Namur University, and today helps people with his Aging Mentor Services. He is an educator, and has taught courses in Healthy Aging and Successful Aging, as well as courses in Geriatric Esthetic Dentistry and Special Patient Care. Recently, Eric was the recipient of China's Humanitarian Award, the highest award given in China for humanitarian service. As a professor of Geriatric Medicine, Nursing, and Dentistry, Dr. Shapira has visited China twice per year for more than 7 years, to contribute his skills and knowledge where they will be needed most.
Dr. Shapira holds an MHA (Masters in Health Administration) from the University of Phoenix. He is a past board member of the American Association of Senior Peer Counselors, a Bilingual Senior Peer Counselor for the San Mateo County Department of Mental Health and a former commissioner on the San Mateo County Commission on Aging. He is a Certified Hypnotherapist, Author, Consultant and Lecturer. Eric has also made numerous humanitarian trips around the world, providing medical care through Rotary International.
Such a well-rounded individual usually has creative outlets, and Eric is no exception. As a self-taught artist, Eric was a member of the Coastal Arts League of Half Moon Bay, as well as a former member of the Coastal Repertory Theatre. His sculptures have been accepted in several juried shows in and around the San Francisco Bay Area, including the Contemporary Jewish Museum, and in numerous galleries In 2012, he won Best in Show 3D in the Coastal Arts League's Annual Juried Show, for his sculpture "Montara Madonna" , and in 2013, won Best 3D in Show for his sculpture: "The Beginning" . Eric's sculptures and paintings vary from detailed to whimsical, displaying a lively interest in his surroundings. He now resides in Ramona, CA. with his wife Susan, continuing his creative projects, as well as his Aging Mentor consultations.