Staff Report

For William Bensen, art has run all in the family.

His grandfather was an artisan at the turn of the 20th century with clients such as Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, the Posts, the Huttons, and the Vanderbilts.

His uncle was also an established artisan as an accomplished photographer and an early cinematographer who captured images of Shirley Temple and other notables.

Starting Jan. 29, Bensen’s own work will be on hand at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy’s 19th annual Art Show and Sale.

After earning his master’s degree in history from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in television production from Brooklyn College in New York City, Bensen became an Emmy-winning producer. He has worked with Turner Broadcasting, the Fox Family Channel, and has produced a children’s television show for NASA.

While television and film created a livelihood, Bensen’s passion for oil painting became his center of creativity. Long inspired by N.C. Wyeth, John Singer Sargent, and Joaquin Sorolla, many of Bensen’s canvases capture solitude and the play of light upon nature.

&uot;I am drawn to nature,&uot; Bensen said. &uot;Not just the nature that lies around us but also the nature that lies within&uot;.

He is represented in galleries on the East Coast and has exhibited in juried exhibits throughout.

Having earned numerous art awards, his works are included in private collections across the United States.

Featuring works from over 150 regional artists in a variety of mediums, the Art Show & Sale boasts works that vary in price ranging from $25 to $7,000.

Proceeds benefit the NSA Fine Arts Program and the NSA Endowment Fund.

While the works of art adorn the school hallways and make the school look beautiful, teachers use the Art Show & Sale as an opportunity to incorporate the art and artists’ displays into their curriculum.