5 minute read
Meet The Twirbutts: A Colorful Life
www.DanvilleLivingCA.com @DanvilleLivingCA #DanvilleLivingCA
By Alexandra Sullivan, Resident since 2017
Every summer the town of Danville hosts its “Open Studios Art Show.” If you have participated in visiting the local artists, then this month’s featured family will be quite familiar. Josef Twirbutt and his wife, Maria, moved to Danville in 2012, and brought with them a love and talent for the arts that extends for generations.
Maria and Josef with their son, Christopher, daughter-in-law, Suzanne, and granddaughter, Annabella.
Born in Lithuania, Josef Twirbutt lived through a time in history that many on this side of the world can’t even fathom. He moved to Poland in his early teens to escape Soviet political repression. While in Poland he worked hard and found a passion for art and architecture. This passion led him to pursue both focuses throughout his schooling, and in 1957 he graduated from the University of Gdansk with a Master’s of Architecture degree. His focus on visual arts provided a strong contribution to his academic work, and is one that he would revisit throughout his life.
After graduation, Josef traveled to Paris, France with a group of friends. The journey from Poland to Paris is now a popular one, but 63 years ago, his trip was unique and full of great importance. Leaving Poland in search for political freedom and a chance at a better life, Josef rode his bicycle through Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Switzerland, until he arrived in Paris and was granted political asylum. Once there, Josef took a job with Bertrand Monet, the Chief Architect of the Historic Architecture Monuments of France. He was there for a year before he left Europe altogether in 1958, and moved to the City of Dreams, New York City.
Josef, in 1973 at the opening ceremony of his mural at the NYC Police Headquarters, with John V. Lindsay, New York City Mayor, later US Congressman and candidate for the president of USA.
“I worked for the next 10 years in the architectural office of Edward Durell Stone, involved in designing the JFK Center for Performing Arts in Washington, American embassies in various countries, office buildings, state university campuses, and Hilton hotels in the US and abroad. At Welton, Becket and Associates, I assisted in designing the World Trade Center in Moscow, Russia. In 1973 I was hired by the IBM Corporation where I worked for 17 years designing office buildings and computer centers in the US and abroad,” says Mr. Twirbutt.
Rewind back to 1959, in New York City, when Josef was newly immigrated to the United States. He was taking English language courses in the evening, and there he met his soon-to-be-bride, Maria. They married that same year and have now been together for over 61 years. Maria graduated with a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Warsaw in Poland. “As an Associate Partner of Davis, Brody and Architects in New York City, she was involved in the design and management of numerous notable architectural projects such as the New York State University dormitories, science laboratory buildings, including Princeton University, Loral Corporation Headquarters, housing in New York City, etc.”
The whole Twirbutt family gathers to celebrate Christmas.
From Poland to New York City, and both working and thriving in the same field, it’s no surprise these two have stuck by each other and created a family full of talented and driven artists. About his extended family, Josef says, “Predominant talents in the family are artistic abilities. My brother was known as an accomplished artist in Poland; his son is an artist as well. My daughter-in-law is a graphic designer, my brother-in-law was an architect, my niece is an artist in London and her daughter is an architect. My grandchildren are also showing an interest in art.”
It was back in Paris that Josef first started exploring his own art. He says, “I started creating my art in my unique visual and conceptual vocabulary.” That determination in expression led him to immediately begin showing his pieces upon arrival in NYC, more specifically, in Greenwich Village in 1959. Ten years later, “In 1969, my artworks were selected for a traveling exhibit through Europe and South America organized by the US State Department called ART FOR EMBASSIES.” Josef Twirbutt’s pieces and murals have been seen around the world, from Spain and Monaco, to Mexico, and even the MOMA in NYC. He has murals in the new headquarters of the NYPD, IBM’s Corporate Offices, and in Boston. Since 2016, Josef’s work has been exhibited locally at the Valley Art Gallery in Walnut Creek, the Village Theatre and Art Gallery downtown, and the Blackhawk Art Gallery. In fact, Josef is currently showing his works in a solo exhibit at The Harrington Gallery at The Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton.
Maria and Josef have two sons. Their oldest, Gregory, lives in Verona, Italy with his wife, Lena, and their two children, Olivia (7) and Nicholas (3). Their other son, Christopher, lives here in Danville with his wife, Suzanne, and their daughter Annabella (13). It was Christopher and Suzanne’s love story and settling in Danville that drew the Twirbutt parents to relocate from NYC to the Bay Area.
Clearly accomplished travelers, the Twirbutts have been all around the world. Some of their explored countries include Russia, Iceland, Portugal, Panama, Australia, Japan, Scotland, Denmark, Latvia, and China. Maria and Josef have also been to 49 of the 50 states!
In 1992 a horrific accident in NYC left Josef facing an early retirement from architecture and learning to cope with his new normal. Once he was rehabilitated, painting and sculpture moved from a passion to a full time job. Other hobbies include making family movies. Maria, now also retired, enjoys traveling, investing, and landscape design - “Maria has very successfully converted our front yard lawn into a drought tolerant landscape to conserve water in the Bay Area.”
Josef with one of his art pieces
Josef says, “My choice of the West Side Danville location is based on a juxtaposition of the natural surroundings and proximity to the center of town. It’s a very quiet community with welcoming, friendly and supportive neighbors.” He would like to extend his gratitude to his neighbors for opening their arms and welcoming him and Maria into the fold. And to Tricia Grame and Nola Pardi Proll for introducing him to the artistic community in the Bay Area.
To see Josef’s works and keep up with his showings, visit https://artofjosef. wordpress.com.
Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact us at asullivan@bestversionmedia.com.
