Artist Spotlight
DAVID BENDER
D
avid Bender was born in Erie,
PA to a father who retired as
colonel in the Army and a
mother who majored in Latin,
English and Music. At the age of three
David began drawing with pencils
and charcoal, and quickly recognizing
his unique talent, his parents sent
him to art school at the age of five.
David moved to Florida and attended
high school where he took drafting
classes and initially considered going
to college to become an architect. It
was the fine lines and intricate detail
that he loved. Throughout high
school David was in a separate group
of students that were considered
accelerated artists and graded on a
different scale.
While attending junior college David
was drafted into the army and served
two years, one in Vietnam. After his
time, he returned to Florida to attend
the University of South Florida where
he graduated with a Bachelor degree of
Fine Arts. One of his most influential
teachers was Theo Wujick, a nationally
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WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE
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SEPTEMBER 2018